The celebrated, multi-stage bicycle race held yearly in France had a complete of 184 competing riders representing 23 groups be a part of its occasion final month, with cyclists lined roughly 3,500 km throughout flat, hilly, and mountainous terrain over 21 race days. Among the many athletes, a number of demonstrated a eager curiosity in the usage of a selected complement—tart cherry juice.
A number of groups had been noticed utilizing the drink, together with Visma‑Lease a Bike, EF Schooling‑EasyPost, Soudal Fast‑Step and UAE Crew Emirates—the group represented by winner Tadej Pogačar in his fourth Tour de France victory.
Why tart cherry juice for endurance riders?
Tart cherry juice, particularly of the Montmorency selection, has been gaining recognition amongst athletes because the late 2000s when analysis started highlighting its potential to cut back muscle soreness and irritation and enhance restoration. In 2025, podium cyclists had been noticed ingesting darkish purple drinks of two particular manufacturers.
Sports activities vitamin model Enervit, sponsor of UAE Crew Emirates, captured a number of photographs of Pogačar consuming its Magic Cherry drink. The product was designed to ship 300 mg of polyphenols from provider Iprona’s CherryCraft European Tart Cherry Extract.
Jonas Vingegaard, who positioned second on the rostrum, was seen consuming Dutch vitamin model Amacx’s Cherry Juice, which accommodates 30 g of carbohydrates in a 2:1 ratio and 100 mg of anthocyanins.
Different competing athletes opted for Wellguard’s Cherryaid, a 100% Tart Cherry Juice Focus and FutureCeuticals’ VitaCherry Sport.
So why does the drink get a lot consideration amongst athletes?
Tart cherry juice research
A rising physique of analysis has reported the antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties of tart cherry (TC) juice.
In some research, it has been discovered to cut back ache, speed up power restoration after train and reduce blood markers of irritation and oxidative stress, all of that are linked to improved each power and endurance train.
A recent review reported that it is probably not the perfect complement throughout the adaptation or coaching stage of train; nevertheless, in an intense competitors or multi-day match, it has been proven to delay extreme inflammatory/oxidative stress and assist in restoration.
A rising market
In response to a current report from Verified Market Experiences, the worldwide tart cherry market was valued at US$ 450 million in 2024 and is predicted to succeed in US$ 650 million by 2033, rising at a CAGR of 4.5%.
This development is attributed to the rising momentum of shopper curiosity in pure and purposeful meals for sports activities vitamin.
Nevertheless, in response to the report, the principle development barrier in Europe is the stringent EU rules round product labeling, origin tracing and pesticide ranges, which can delay product approvals and prohibit small exporters.
Regardless of a number of purposes for tart cherry well being claims with the European Meals Security Authority (EFSA), together with muscle restoration, anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant results and sleep enchancment (through melatonin content material), none have been accepted.
Tart cherry juice well being claims
Talking to NutraIngredients, Luca Bucchini, managing director at meals security consultancy Hylobates Consulting, mentioned that between 2010 and 2011, EFSA reviewed many well being claims in bulk, together with these for tart cherry. Due to the amount of submissions, he famous that assessments had been rushed and sometimes didn’t clearly differentiate between Montmorency tart cherry and different submissions.
EFSA rejected tart cherry claims, primarily citing the shortage of satisfactory human research on the time and that antioxidant exercise alone doesn’t qualify as a well being profit underneath EFSA guidelines.
With the rising recognition of the complement, he suggested that manufacturers formulating with tart cherry use present analysis to speak to sport vitamin professionals, which is lower than excellent, as it’s troublesome to relay clearly. Bucchini mentioned that another choice usually employed by manufacturers is the usage of the “halo” impact, which is “created by vitamin claims to recommend the whole product has the impact, because of the contribution of extracts as effectively.”
