The prestigious, multi-stage bicycle race held annually in France had a total of 184 competing riders representing 23 teams join its event last month, with cyclists covered approximately 3,500 km across flat, hilly, and mountainous terrain over 21 race days. Among the athletes, several demonstrated a keen interest in the use of a particular supplement—tart cherry juice.
Several teams were spotted using the drink, including Visma‑Lease a Bike, EF Education‑EasyPost, Soudal Quick‑Step and UAE Team Emirates—the team represented by winner Tadej Pogačar in his fourth Tour de France victory.
Why tart cherry juice for endurance riders?
Tart cherry juice, specifically of the Montmorency variety, has been gaining popularity among athletes since the late 2000s when research began highlighting its potential to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation and improve recovery. In 2025, podium cyclists were spotted drinking dark red beverages of two specific brands.
Sports nutrition brand Enervit, sponsor of UAE Team Emirates, captured several shots of Pogačar consuming its Magic Cherry drink. The product was designed to deliver 300 mg of polyphenols from supplier Iprona’s CherryCraft European Tart Cherry Extract.
Jonas Vingegaard, who placed second on the podium, was seen consuming Dutch nutrition brand Amacx’s Cherry Juice, which contains 30 g of carbohydrates in a 2:1 ratio and 100 mg of anthocyanins.
Other competing athletes opted for Wellguard’s Cherryaid, a 100% Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate and FutureCeuticals’ VitaCherry Sport.
So why does the drink get so much attention among athletes?
Tart cherry juice studies
A growing body of research has reported the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of tart cherry (TC) juice.
In some studies, it has been found to reduce pain, accelerate strength recovery after exercise and decrease blood markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, all of which are linked to improved both strength and endurance exercise.
A recent review reported that it may not be the ideal supplement during the adaptation or training stage of exercise; however, in an intense competition or multi-day tournament, it has been shown to delay excessive inflammatory/oxidative stress and aid in recovery.
Dr. Sharon Madigan, head of performance nutrition at the Sport Ireland Institute told NI that the scientific evidence for tart cherry juice in elite endurance athletes was pretty well established, particularly during events like the TDF. However, research mostly supported indirect performance potential rather than showing a direct correlation with ‘winning’.
“For example it can help reduce muscle soreness, speed up recovery and reduce markers of inflammation,” she said. “Faster muscle recovery and improved antioxidant status can help athletes maintain performance across multiple days of demanding effort in events like the TDF.”
She explained that while some research showed improved endurance capacity or sustained performance over multiday activities, it was thought that these effects were generally attributed to better recovery rather than a direct effect.
A growing market
According to a recent report from Verified Market Reports, the global tart cherry market was valued at US$ 450 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 650 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.5%.
This growth is attributed to the growing momentum of consumer interest in natural and functional foods for sports nutrition.
However most things in sports nutrition come in and out of fashion thanks to factors such as social media and athletes endorsements, Madigan explained.
“High profile athletes have been using their social to document things like ‘my daily food intake’ and ‘a day in the life’, so of a supplement or functional food gets a specific mention and / or the athlete drives it as part of a product endorsement then this can increase the profile of the product significantly,” she said.
“For events such as the TDF there is significant interest from media, the public and wider athlete population and stories like these providing something that Joe public can do them also amplifies the chat around it.
“You might not be able to climb up the alps but you could use some tart cherry before or during your next Sunday morning spin.”
According to the report, the main growth barrier in Europe is the stringent EU regulations around product labeling, origin tracing and pesticide levels, which may delay product approvals and restrict small exporters.
Despite several applications for tart cherry health claims with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), including muscle recovery, anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant effects and sleep improvement (via melatonin content), none have been approved.
Tart cherry juice health claims
Speaking to NutraIngredients, Luca Bucchini, managing director at food safety consultancy Hylobates Consulting, said that between 2010 and 2011, EFSA reviewed many health claims in bulk, including those for tart cherry. Because of the volume of submissions, he noted that assessments were rushed and often did not clearly differentiate between Montmorency tart cherry and other submissions.
EFSA rejected tart cherry claims, primarily citing the lack of adequate human studies at the time and that antioxidant activity alone does not qualify as a health benefit under EFSA rules.
With the growing popularity of the supplement, he advised that brands formulating with tart cherry use existing research to communicate to sport nutrition professionals, which is less than ideal, as it is difficult to relay clearly. Bucchini said that another option often employed by brands is the use of the “halo” effect, which is “created by vitamin claims to suggest the entire product has the effect, thanks to the contribution of extracts as well.”
