Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Natural melatonin content -- sedation and circadian rhythm effects
- Anticoagulant properties at high doses
- High sugar content in juice forms (not extract)
- Generally well tolerated and one of the safer botanical supplements
Contraindications
- Natural melatonin content -- sedation and circadian rhythm effects
- Anticoagulant properties at high doses
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Tart cherry extract is used for gout prevention, muscle recovery, and sleep improvement (natural melatonin content). Clinical evidence for reducing gout attacks and muscle soreness is moderately positive. Very well tolerated. Contains natural melatonin — may cause sedation. Anticoagulant properties at high anthocyanin doses.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Prunus cerasus fruit extract
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Natural melatonin content -- sedation and circadian rhythm effects
- Anticoagulant properties at high doses
- High sugar content in juice forms (not extract)
- Generally well tolerated and one of the safer botanical supplements
The available scientific evidence for Tart Cherry Extract indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 12:53
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of Tart Cherry Extract Supplementation on Plasma Urate and C-Reactive Protein Levels in Healthy Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial. ↗Ju00e4ger R et al.. Effects of Tart Cherry Extract Supplementation on Plasma Urate and C-Reactive Protein Levels in Healthy Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial.. J Diet Suppl. 2026. PMID:41247121.PMID 41247121 ↗Journal J Diet SupplYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41247121/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTart Cherry (Prunus cerasus) Extract Exerts High Intracellular ROS Scavenging Activity and Repression of ARE (Antioxidant Response Element) Pathway in Human Hepatocytes. ↗Dufour C et al.. Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus) Extract Exerts High Intracellular ROS Scavenging Activity and Repression of ARE (Antioxidant Response Element) Pathway in Human Hepatocytes.. Int J Mol Sci. 2025. PMID:41303315.PMID 41303315 ↗Journal Int J Mol SciYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41303315/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCorrection: Bowers et al. Tart Cherry Extract and Omega Fatty Acids Reduce Behavioral Deficits and Gliosis in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of… ↗Bowers Z et al.. Correction: Bowers et al. Tart Cherry Extract and Omega Fatty Acids Reduce Behavioral Deficits and Gliosis in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci. 2021, 11, 1423.. Brain Sci. 2023. PMID:37371455.PMID 37371455 ↗Journal Brain SciYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37371455/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTart Cherry Extract and Omega Fatty Acids Reduce Behavioral Deficits, Gliosis, and Amyloid-Beta Deposition in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. ↗Bowers Z et al.. Tart Cherry Extract and Omega Fatty Acids Reduce Behavioral Deficits, Gliosis, and Amyloid-Beta Deposition in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.. Brain Sci. 2021. PMID:34827424.PMID 34827424 ↗Journal Brain SciYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34827424/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBroad Spectrum Polyphenol Supplementation from Tart Cherry Extract on Markers of Recovery from Intense Resistance Exercise. ↗Hooper DR et al.. Broad Spectrum Polyphenol Supplementation from Tart Cherry Extract on Markers of Recovery from Intense Resistance Exercise.. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021. PMID:34126996.PMID 34126996 ↗Journal J Int Soc Sports NutrYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34126996/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTart Cherry Extract Containing Chlorogenic Acid, Quercetin, and Kaempferol Inhibits the Mitochondrial Apoptotic Cell Death Elicited by Airborne PM(10) in Human Epidermal… ↗Kim DW et al.. Tart Cherry Extract Containing Chlorogenic Acid, Quercetin, and Kaempferol Inhibits the Mitochondrial Apoptotic Cell Death Elicited by Airborne PM(10) in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes.. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021. PMID:33805724.PMID 33805724 ↗Journal Antioxidants (Basel)Year 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33805724/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of a tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) phenolic extract on Porphyromonas gingivalis and its ability to impair the oral epithelial barrier. ↗Ben Lagha A et al.. Effects of a tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) phenolic extract on Porphyromonas gingivalis and its ability to impair the oral epithelial barrier.. PLoS One. 2021. PMID:33497417.PMID 33497417 ↗Journal PLoS OneYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33497417/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTart Cherry Increases Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans by Altering Metabolic Signaling Pathways. ↗Jayarathne S et al.. Tart Cherry Increases Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans by Altering Metabolic Signaling Pathways.. Nutrients. 2020. PMID:32443669.PMID 32443669 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2020Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32443669/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffect of Anthocyanin-Rich Tart Cherry Extract on Inflammatory Mediators and Adipokines Involved in Type 2 Diabetes in a High Fat Diet Induced… ↗Nemes A et al.. Effect of Anthocyanin-Rich Tart Cherry Extract on Inflammatory Mediators and Adipokines Involved in Type 2 Diabetes in a High Fat Diet Induced Obesity Mouse Model.. Nutrients. 2019. PMID:31438590.PMID 31438590 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31438590/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWIn Vitro Bioaccessibility of Tart Cherry Anthocyanins in a Health Supplement Mix Containing Mineral Clay. ↗Singh A et al.. In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Tart Cherry Anthocyanins in a Health Supplement Mix Containing Mineral Clay.. J Food Sci. 2019. PMID:30706481.PMID 30706481 ↗Journal J Food SciYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30706481/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Tart Cherry Extract. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Tart Cherry Extract
A score of 2.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.