Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: CLAIM_LEVEL_HUMAN_REVIEW_REQUIRED
Small human trials of tart-cherry juice or concentrate suggest possible sleep effects, but the evidence is limited and product-form specific. It does not establish efficacy for a trace-dose extract or essence.
Origin & History
Prunus cerasus, or sour cherry, is a fruit-bearing tree native to Europe and western Asia. Valued for its tart red fruits, its bioactive compounds are extracted for supplements, typically by pressing the fruit into a juice which is then concentrated through evaporation or freeze-drying to create potent concentrates and powders. This process preserves its rich content of polyphenols, particularly anthocyanins.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
A randomized crossover trial evaluated tart-cherry juice and sleep (PMID 22038497). A later pilot insomnia trial had only eight completers (PMID 28901958).
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
Per 100 g fresh sour cherries (Prunus cerasus): Energy ~50 kcal; Water ~86 g; Carbohydrates ~12.2 g (including ~8.5 g sugars, primarily glucose and fructose); Dietary fiber ~1.6 g; Protein ~1.0 g; Fat ~0.3 g. Vitamins: Vitamin C ~10 mg (11% DV), Vitamin A ~64 µg RAE (primarily as beta-carotene ~770 µg), Vitamin K ~2.1 µg, Thiamin (B1) ~0.03 mg, Riboflavin (B2) ~0.04 mg, Niacin (B3) ~0.4 mg, Pantothenic acid (B5) ~0.14 mg, Vitamin B6 ~0.044 mg, Folate ~8 µg. Minerals: Potassium ~173 mg, Copper ~0.104 mg, Manganese ~0.112 mg, Iron ~0.32 mg, Magnesium ~9 mg, Phosphorus ~15 mg, Calcium ~16 mg, Zinc ~0.10 mg. Key bioactive compounds: Anthocyanins ~28–80 mg/100 g fresh weight (primarily cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, and cyanidin-3-sophoroside, which contribute to the deep red pigmentation and antioxidant activity); total phenolics ~146–312 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g fresh weight; hydroxycinnamic acids including chlorogenic acid (~8–15 mg/100 g) and neochlorogenic acid; flavonols including quercetin-3-rutinoside and kaempferol glycosides (~2–5 mg/100 g); melatonin ~13.5 ng/g (one of the higher dietary sources, relevant to sleep regulation); proanthocyanidins present in moderate amounts. Tart cherry concentrate and juice show substantially higher anthocyanin concentrations (~45–270 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents per 100 mL of juice). Bioavailability notes: Anthocyanin bioavailability is relatively low (estimated 1–5% absorption), though microbial metabolites such as protocatechuic acid and phenylacetic acid derivatives formed in the colon may contribute to systemic biological effects. Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption. Melatonin from sour cherries has demonstrated measurable increases in urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in human studies, suggesting functional bioavailability. Montmorency is the most studied cultivar; anthocyanin content varies significantly by cultivar, ripeness, and processing method (drying and juicing can concentrate or degrade specific polyphenols).
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Sour cherry's therapeutic effects stem from its high concentration of anthocyanins (e.g., cyanidin-3-glucoside), other polyphenols, and melatonin. These compounds exhibit potent antioxidant activity by scavenging reactive oxygen species and upregulating antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, they mitigate inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory pathways, including cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which reduces prostaglandin synthesis.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Evidence grade: limited. Larger trials and product-standardization data are needed.
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