Cherry juice, ‘the red drink’ you now see at finish lines in many places today, has become a familiar recovery strategy in many sports. From endurance events to high-intensity team sports, research over the past decade has shown that it can help reduce muscle soreness and support performance.
Cherry Juice+ builds on this research with an improved formula on our previous Cherry Juice. The focus is simple and deliberate: an even higher, standardized anthocyanin content, which is the key active compound in cherry juice.
Why Cherry Juice+ makes a difference
Anthocyanins are natural plant pigments that belong to the broader group of polyphenols. These polyphenols, predominantly found in fruits and vegetables, are known for their positive effects on blood pressure through anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In cherries, anthocyanins give the fruit its deep red color and are believed to play a central role in the recovery effects seen in athletes.
Cherry Juice+ provides 125 mg of anthocyanins per serving. While the exact optimal dose is not yet fully established, some studies showing positive effects on recovery have used doses starting around 80-105 mg per day. However, several other studies used quite higher doses (up to 300mg per day), to induce positive effects on recovery. This places Cherry Juice+ even better within the range associated with improved recovery compared to the previous Cherry Juice, with a 25% increase in anthocyanin content per serving.
In addition to the anthocyanins, Cherry Juice+ provides 30 grams of fast-absorbing carbohydrates in a 2:1 ratio between glucose and fructose. These carbohydrates help replenish glycogen stores after high-intensity exercise, while this specific carbohydrate ratio will specifically boost the replenishment of liver glycogen.
Cherry Juice+ comes in a 500 mL Tetra Pak, so it also contributes directly to post-exercise hydration. Replacing fluids after hard efforts is an essential part of the recovery process, helping restore plasma volume, support circulation and prepare the body for the next exercise.
What does the research show?
Studies using concentrated tart cherry products have reported several practical benefits for athletes. These include reduced muscle soreness and muscle damage after hard efforts, and thus an improved recovery between repeated sessions. This will especially be important when recovery time in between sessions is limited.
These results have been observed in a variety of sports. In team sports, tart cherry supplementation has been used during periods with frequent matches. In endurance sports such as cycling and marathon running, it has been shown to support recovery after long and demanding events, and multi-day events.
Research on the mechanism behind these effects suggests that anthocyanins reduce excessive inflammation by reducing so-called oxidative stress after intense exercise. Oxidative stress refers to the temporary imbalance between free radicals produced during heavy effort and the body’s ability to neutralize them, which can contribute to muscle soreness and fatigue. Anthocyanins can support the early phase of recovery, especially when there is limited time before the next effort.
It is important to note that oxidative stress is not always negative: during competition periods, reducing it can help speed up recovery, while during certain training phases a moderate amount of oxidative stress is part of the natural adaptation process that helps the body become stronger and more resilient.
Recovery also depends on sleep
Besides polyphenols, tart cherries naturally contain melatonin as well. This compound plays a role in regulating the sleep–wake cycle. Some research suggests that tart cherry products may help you fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality.
Since sleep is one of the most important parts of the recovery process, this effect may further support overall recovery during intense training or competition periods.
When should you use Cherry Juice+?
Cherry Juice+ is designed for moments when rapid recovery is more important than long-term training adaptation. Examples include multi-day competitions, stage races or the days leading up to an important event (‘tapering’). It is also useful immediately after an exceptionally demanding session, or accumulation of multiple very hard sessions, when the goal is to recover as quickly as possible.
During training periods that focus on long-term progression and adaptation, daily use of cherry juice is not recommended. The muscle damage and inflammatory responses after hard training, along with the oxidative stress mentioned earlier, are essential signals that drive the body to adapt and improve over time.
In practice, this means Cherry Juice+ is best used when the schedule is demanding and the next performance is already around the corner.
How to use Cherry Juice+?
It is recommended to drink Cherry Juice+ directly after a training session, race or match. For optimal effect, follow this protocol for 4 to 7 days in the run-up to an important competition (period). For increased effectiveness, a second dose of Cherry Juice+ is recommended, for example pre-sleep. This second dose might also improve your sleep quality.
Summary
- Cherry Juice + contains 125 mg of anthocyanins, which is standardized in each serving.
- Higher anthocyanin dose than comparable products
- Helps to reduce muscle soreness and improves recovery between sessions, races or matches
- Provides 30 g of carbohydrates (2:1 ratio) whichs supports glycogen replenishment
- Contains 500 ml of fluids to boost post-exercise hydration
- Ideal for multi-day competitions, stage races, team sports competition or the days leading up to an important event
- Naturally contains melatonin, which may help reduce the time needed to fall asleep and support sleep quality
- Take Cherry Juice+ once or twice a day for at least 4 to 7 days in the run-up to an important competition. The first dose immediately after your training or competition and possibly add a second dose 1 hour before going to sleep.
