Antioxidant capacity: 7.1 mmol/3.5 oz
While tart cherries are rarely eaten fresh, dried tart cherries are a great addition to salads and baked goods. Drinking 100% tart cherry juice is also a potent way to get the health benefits of tart cherries. Tart cherries provide three potent antioxidant compounds: anthocyanins, flavanols, and chlorogenic acid. Research shows that chart cherries may help with blood pressure, moderate blood sugar levels, tamp down inflammation, and more. Tart cherry juice is frequently recommended to alleviate post-exercise muscle soreness, with one study published in the journal Nutrients highlighting its effectiveness in reducing inflammation, enhancing markers of DNA repair activity, and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.