Tart Cherry Extract and Uric Acid: What the Research Shows

Tart cherry and uric acid come up together often in health searches, and the research is more mixed than most product pages admit. Lab and animal studies suggest that tart cherry polyphenols may influence how the body makes and clears uric acid. Human studies are split: some small trials found lower uric acid after tart cherry, while several well-controlled trials in healthy adults found no difference compared with placebo. No study has tested Tart-C™ itself. What you can check is the label. Tart cherry products vary widely in polyphenol content, and many do not disclose it. This guide covers what the research shows, where it stops, and how to read a tart cherry supplement label.

Key takeaways

• Tart cherry polyphenols are being studied for their role in healthy uric acid metabolism. Human research to date is mixed.*
• The two largest double-blind capsule trials in adults found no difference in uric acid compared with placebo.
• Polyphenol content varies widely between tart cherry products, so a disclosed polyphenol amount matters.
• Tart-C™ provides 200 mg of organic tart cherry extract standardized to 25% polyphenols (50 mg) per capsule.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

What Is Tart Cherry Extract?

Tart cherry extract is a concentrated form of the sour cherry, Prunus cerasus. It is different from the sweet cherries sold in grocery stores. Tart cherries are rich in polyphenols, a large family of plant compounds that includes anthocyanins (the pigments that give the fruit its deep red color), flavonols and phenolic acids.

The same fruit can be sold as juice, juice concentrate, dried fruit, freeze-dried powder or a standardized extract in capsules. These formats are not interchangeable. In a 2025 analysis of Montmorency tart cherry products, juice concentrate, unsweetened dried fruit, freeze-dried powder and sweetened dried fruit contained 26% to 77% fewer total polyphenols than frozen raw fruit, depending on how they were processed (Jawad et al., 2025).

A standardized extract is made to contain a set percentage of a measured compound group. For Tart-C™, that is 25% polyphenols, which works out to 50 mg of polyphenols in each 200 mg capsule.

What Is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a normal waste product the body makes when it breaks down chemicals called purines. Purines come from the body’s own cells and from certain foods and drinks. Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood, is filtered by the kidneys and leaves the body in urine (MedlinePlus).

Uric acid is measured with a standard blood test. If you and your healthcare provider already track any lab values, keep them informed about every supplement you take.

How Might Tart Cherry Relate to Uric Acid Metabolism?

The research on how tart cherry might work comes mostly from laboratory and animal studies. These studies help explain a possible mechanism. They do not show what a supplement will do in people.

The production side: xanthine oxidase

The body makes uric acid with the help of an enzyme called xanthine oxidase. It converts hypoxanthine to xanthine, and xanthine to uric acid. In isolated-enzyme studies, some dietary flavonoids, including compounds found in fruits like tart cherry, slow this enzyme’s activity (Nagao et al., 1999). Those experiments used purified compounds in a test tube, at concentrations that may not be reached in the body after eating or taking a supplement.

The elimination side: how the body clears uric acid

Most uric acid leaves the body through the kidneys, with some cleared through the gut. Proteins called transporters, including URAT1, GLUT9 and ABCG2, help control how much uric acid is reabsorbed or released. A 2026 review of tart cherry research discussed these transporters as possible routes. The same analysis identified mainly inflammation- and metabolism-related targets for tart cherry compounds, and its authors noted that direct human evidence for effects on transporters or xanthine oxidase is lacking (Zhang et al., 2026).

What actually reaches the bloodstream

Very little of the anthocyanin in food reaches the blood intact. Most studies report that less than 1% of the anthocyanins consumed are recovered unchanged (de Ferrars et al., 2014). Instead, gut bacteria and the body break anthocyanins down into smaller compounds. After healthy men drank tart cherry concentrate, researchers detected phenolic acids such as protocatechuic acid and vanillic acid in the blood, peaking at one to two hours and still detectable at eight hours (Keane et al., 2016).

Researchers have proposed that these breakdown products may help explain effects seen in some studies, but this has not been shown directly. Because gut bacteria differ from person to person, responses to tart cherry may differ too.

 

What Does Human Research Show About Tart Cherry and Uric Acid?

Human studies on tart cherry and uric acid differ in format, dose, length, population and control group, and their results differ too. The table below summarizes the controlled human trials most relevant to healthy adults.

 

 

 

Research on tart cherry and uric acid in healthy adults is mixed. Some small studies found lower levels, and several well-controlled trials found no difference. No study has tested Tart-C™ itself.

Studies that found no difference

The largest double-blind trial in healthy adults gave 58 participants tart cherry capsules, tart cherry juice or matching placebos for 30 days. Uric acid did not change meaningfully over time, and there was no difference between groups (Hillman & Chrismas, 2021). The study was funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute.

In a double-blind crossover trial, 25 adults took 960 mg of tart cherry powder in capsules, or a placebo, for seven days. Researchers then measured how uric acid responded to a high-purine meal. Tart cherry made no difference compared with placebo, either after the first dose or after one week (Gonzalez et al., 2024). The study was funded by Anderson Advanced Ingredients with Shoreline Fruit.

A 2026 crossover trial compared a single serving of tart cherry juice with water in 12 healthy adults. Neither drink changed uric acid differently from the other over 24 hours. Uric acid levels shifted during the day regardless of which drink participants had, and the authors pointed out that short studies without a control group cannot separate those natural daily changes from an effect of the drink (Lamb & Lynn, 2026). The study was funded by Sheffield Hallam University; one author declared a past research grant from the Cherry Marketing Institute.

Studies that found a change

In a four-week placebo-controlled crossover study, 26 adults with overweight or obesity drank 240 mL of tart cherry juice daily. Their plasma uric acid was 19.2% lower than at the start, while the placebo phase showed no decrease (Martin & Coles, 2019). This study used juice, which provided far more total phenolics per day than a capsule does, and some participants started above typical reference ranges. It was funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute.

In a 28-day double-blind crossover trial in 10 healthy adults, a tart cherry extract taken at 500 mg per day was followed by lower plasma uric acid compared with placebo (Jäger et al., 2026). The extract tested at 3.2% polyphenols, or about 16 mg per day, so it was a different extract at a lower polyphenol dose than Tart-C™. A single dose did not change uric acid within eight hours. Uric acid at the start differed between the two study phases. The study was funded by the extract’s manufacturer, whose founder was a co-author.

A placebo-controlled study in 48 adults compared single and double doses of tart cherry capsules and juice over 48 hours. Uric acid declined for a short time after tart cherry, by about 8% on average, with the longest decline after a single capsule dose (Hillman & Uhranowsky, 2021). This was a short-term study, with about eight people in each group.

An earlier study in 12 healthy adults also recorded a temporary drop in uric acid and a rise in uric acid in urine after tart cherry concentrate. It had no placebo or control drink, so it could not rule out natural daily changes (Bell et al., 2014).

What the pooled evidence says

A 2026 meta-analysis combined four randomized trials with 392 participants. It found a small overall reduction in uric acid with tart cherry, but the individual results varied widely (I² = 88%), and statistical tests suggested that smaller positive studies may be overrepresented (Zhang et al., 2026). The trials also included different populations and formats, and some effect sizes in the analysis do not match the original trial reports. Treat the pooled estimate as uncertain.

The fair summary: there may be a modest effect in some people under some conditions, the best-controlled trials in healthy adults did not find one, and more research is needed.

Why Does Polyphenol Content Vary So Much Between Tart Cherry Products?

Two tart cherry products can look alike on a shelf and contain very different amounts of polyphenols. In a 2022 lab analysis of 10 fruit-based supplements, total phenolic content ranged from about 12 mg to more than 1,000 mg per serving (Rickards et al., 2022). Among the cherry products alone:

• The five tart cherry concentrates ranged from 208 to 591 mg per serving, nearly a threefold difference.
• The one cherry capsule tested provided about 12 mg per serving.

The researchers noted that only limited compositional information was available on product labels (Rickards et al., 2022). Processing matters too, since different tart cherry formats keep very different amounts of the fruit’s original polyphenols (Jawad et al., 2025).

Extraction ratios such as “10:1” or “50:1” do not solve this problem. A ratio describes how much raw material went into the extract, not how much of the active compounds ended up in the capsule. For example, the 10:1 extract in one published trial tested at 3.2% polyphenols (Jäger et al., 2026). A standardized percentage and a stated amount in milligrams tell you much more.

How Do You Read a Tart Cherry Supplement Label?

Four questions help you compare tart cherry supplements.

1.      Does it state a measured amount of active compounds? Look for a polyphenol percentage and an amount in milligrams per serving, not only an extraction ratio or a “fruit equivalent.”

2.      Can the company tell you how the amount was measured? Polyphenol values differ depending on the lab method used. Ask for a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and the test method.

3.      Is it a single ingredient or a blend? Multi-ingredient formulas often list a total blend weight without the amount of each ingredient, which makes it hard to know what you are getting.

4.      Are the directions clear, with a stated daily amount? A clear serving size and daily limit are signs of a well-labeled product.

What’s in Tart-C™?

Tart-C™ is a single-ingredient tart cherry extract from Triquetra Health. The Supplement Facts panel lists:

 

The label’s suggested serving is one capsule daily, and each 60-capsule bottle provides 60 servings. Follow the directions on the label and do not take more than the label states.

For context, Tart-C™’s 50 mg of polyphenols per capsule is higher than the roughly 16 mg per day of polyphenols used in the one positive extract trial on uric acid (Jäger et al., 2026). Tart-C™ itself has not been studied, and a higher polyphenol amount is not known to produce a larger effect.

Is Tart Cherry Extract Safe? Who Should Talk to a Provider First?

In two published capsule trials, tart cherry was well tolerated. One reported no adverse events with 500 mg per day of extract for 28 days (Jäger et al., 2026), and the other found no difference in side effects between 960 mg per day of tart cherry powder and placebo over seven days (Gonzalez et al., 2024). Tart-C™ provides more polyphenols per capsule than the extract in the 28-day trial, and no safety study has been done on Tart-C™ itself.

One published case report describes kidney and potassium problems in a person with chronic kidney disease who consumed cherry concentrate daily. The problems improved after the concentrate was stopped (Luciano, 2014).

Talk to your healthcare provider before using Tart-C™ if you:

• Have kidney disease or reduced kidney function
• Take NSAID pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) regularly
• Are pregnant or nursing
• Take any prescription medication
• Have surgery scheduled

Research on tart cherry and medication interactions is limited, so check with your prescriber before adding it. Do not stop or change any prescribed medication without talking to the person who prescribed it. If you have surgery coming up, tell your care team about every supplement you take; some patients are advised to stop supplements at least two weeks beforehand (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2020). No research has been done on tart cherry extract in children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does tart cherry affect uric acid levels?

Human research on tart cherry and uric acid is mixed. Some small studies found lower uric acid after tart cherry juice or extract, but the two largest double-blind capsule trials in adults found no difference compared with placebo. A 2026 meta-analysis found a small, inconsistent overall effect. No study has tested Tart-C™ itself.

Is tart cherry extract better than tart cherry juice?

Neither format has been shown to be better for uric acid. Juice provides more total phenolics per serving and contains natural fruit sugar. Capsules are convenient and easy to take consistently, but their polyphenol content varies widely between brands. With either format, choose a product that states its polyphenol amount.

How much polyphenol is in Tart-C™?

Each Tart-C™ capsule contains 200 mg of organic tart cherry extract standardized to 25% polyphenols, which provides 50 mg of polyphenols per capsule. The suggested serving is one capsule daily, and each 60-capsule bottle provides 60 servings.

What should I look for in a tart cherry supplement?

Look for a stated polyphenol percentage and an amount in milligrams per serving, not just an extraction ratio. Ask for a Certificate of Analysis and the test method. A single-ingredient product makes it clear what you are taking. Clear directions with a stated daily amount are another good sign.

Can I take tart cherry extract with medication?

Talk to your prescriber first. Research on tart cherry and medication interactions is limited. Check with your healthcare provider before use if you have kidney disease or reduced kidney function, regularly take NSAID pain relievers, are pregnant or nursing, or take any medication. Do not change a prescribed medication on your own.

Is Tart-C™ organic?

Yes. Tart-C™ carries the USDA Organic seal. The extract and all other ingredients (organic tapioca flour, organic pullulan capsule and organic rice hulls) are organic.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The Bottom Line

Tart cherry is a well-studied fruit, but the evidence on tart cherry and uric acid is still mixed. The strongest controlled trials in healthy adults did not find a difference, while some smaller studies did. What you can control is what you take. Tart-C™ gives you a clearly stated amount: 50 mg of polyphenols per capsule from certified-organic tart cherry extract, in a single-ingredient formula. Use it alongside a balanced diet, good hydration and an active lifestyle. It does not replace advice or care from your healthcare provider.

Learn more about Tart-C™

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Scientific References & Citations

American Society of Anesthesiologists. (2020). Herbal and dietary supplements and anesthesia [Patient education sheet]. https://madeforthismoment.asahq.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ASA_Supplements-Anesthesia_Updated-1.pdf

Bell, P. G., Gaze, D. C., Davison, G. W., George, T. W., Scotter, M. J., & Howatson, G. (2014). Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) concentrate lowers uric acid, independent of plasma cyanidin-3-O-glucosiderutinoside. Journal of Functional Foods, 11, 82–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2014.09.004

de Ferrars, R. M., Czank, C., Zhang, Q., Botting, N. P., Kroon, P. A., Cassidy, A., & Kay, C. D. (2014). The pharmacokinetics of anthocyanins and their metabolites in humans. British Journal of Pharmacology, 171(13), 3268–3282. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.12676

Gonzalez, D. E., Kendra, J. A., Dickerson, B. L., Yoo, C., Ko, J., McAngus, K., Martinez, V., Leonard, M., Johnson, S. E., Xing, D., Sowinski, R. J., Rasmussen, C. J., & Kreider, R. B. (2024). Effects of acute and one-week supplementation with Montmorency tart cherry powder on food-induced uremic response and markers of health: A proof-of-concept study. Nutrients, 16(19), 3391. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193391

Hillman, A. R., & Chrismas, B. C. R. (2021). Thirty days of Montmorency tart cherry supplementation has no effect on gut microbiome composition, inflammation, or glycemic control in healthy adults. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 733057. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.733057

Hillman, A. R., & Uhranowsky, K. (2021). Acute ingestion of Montmorency tart cherry reduces serum uric acid but has no impact on high sensitivity C-reactive protein or oxidative capacity. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 76(1), 83–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-021-00879-7

Jäger, R., Purpura, M., Balcombe, S. T., Godavarthi, A., Reddy, S. A., Vasenina, E., & Tinsley, G. M. (2026). Effects of tart cherry extract supplementation on plasma urate and C-reactive protein levels in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 23(1), 42–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2025.2589787

Jawad, M., Talcott, S. T., Hillman, A. R., & Brannan, R. G. (2025). A comprehensive polyphenolic characterization of five Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) product formulations. Foods, 14(7), 1154. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14071154

Keane, K. M., Bell, P. G., Lodge, J. K., Constantinou, C. L., Jenkinson, S. E., Bass, R., & Howatson, G. (2016). Phytochemical uptake following human consumption of Montmorency tart cherry (L. Prunus cerasus) and influence of phenolic acids on vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. European Journal of Nutrition, 55(4), 1695–1705. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0988-9

Lamb, K. L., & Lynn, A. (2026). Tart cherry juice has no acute effects on uric acid, vascular function and inflammation: A randomised crossover trial. Nutrition and Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02601060251414572

Luciano, R. L. (2014). Acute kidney injury from cherry concentrate in a patient with CKD. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 63(3), 503–505. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.09.021

Martin, K. R., & Coles, K. M. (2019). Consumption of 100% tart cherry juice reduces serum urate in overweight and obese adults. Current Developments in Nutrition, 3(5), nzz011. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzz011

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Uric acid test. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved September 28, 2026, from https://www.medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/uric-acid-test/

Nagao, A., Seki, M., & Kobayashi, H. (1999). Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by flavonoids. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 63(10), 1787–1790. https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.63.1787

Rickards, L., Lynn, A., Barker, M. E., Russell, M., & Ranchordas, M. K. (2022). Comparison of the polyphenol content and in vitro antioxidant capacity of fruit-based nutritional supplements commonly consumed by athletic and recreationally active populations. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 19(1), 336–348. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2091412

Zhang, Z., Feng, Z., Yan, W., Wu, T., Xia, J., Yu, J., Yang, J., Wang, Y., & Sun, G. (2026). Tart cherry intake and serum uric acid: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and evidence from network pharmacology. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 35(3), 451–462. https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.202606_35(3).0008