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At the Tour de France 2025, many of the professional cyclists were given a bottle of red sour cherry juice at the finish line. Cherry juice concentrate mixed with carbohydrates was the theme in the peloton. After intense physical exertion, microstructural changes occur in the muscle tissue, which are accompanied by an inflammatory reaction. Various studies have shown improved recovery with cherry juice or cherry juice concentrate. The Montmorency sour cherry has been the subject of repeated scientific research due to its high content of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins. The most important recovery measures are a rapid supply of energy, cooling in the heat and sufficient sleep - but a carbohydrate-cherry juice mix is also said to support recovery.
Is it possible to increase performance with sour cherries?
According to a recent study, the red juice could also have a positive effect before the race. Researchers Jimmy T. Wangdi, Mary F. O'Leary, Vincent G. Kelly, Jonathan C. Y. Tang and Joanna L. Bowtell investigated the effect of Montmorency cherry concentrate on endurance performance. The results were published in the European Journal of Sport Science (DOI: 10.1002/ejsc.12187). They had 20 test subjects (13 male, 7 female, average age 29 years) complete a time trial over 15 virtual kilometres on an indoor smart bike (Wattbike). Each participant completed four test runs: one without supplementation and three with 60 ml Montmorency cherry concentrate 30, 90 or 150 minutes before the exercise. The tests were carried out at least seven days apart.
Improved performance in time trials
Taking Montmorency cherry concentrate significantly improved time trial performance. The greatest improvement was seen 90 minutes after ingestion: the average time in the time trial over 15 virtual kilometres fell by 48.3 seconds - an increase of 2.83 per cent. Trained athletes showed a particularly significant increase in performance due to the sour cherry concentrate. The heart rate was significantly higher during the time trial after taking the cherry concentrate. After 90 minutes of lead time, the heart rate at 5 km was 172 beats per minute compared to 169 beats without supplementation (p = 0.039). A similar pattern was seen at 10 km (p = 0.035).
Mechanisms of performance enhancement
The authors discuss several possible mechanisms of action. The increased lactate levels and heart rates after cherry concentrate intake indicate improved pain tolerance. Montmorency cherry anthocyanins reduced pain in animal models. Inhibition of reactive oxygen species by blocking superoxide-producing enzymes could protect redox-sensitive processes such as calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Previous studies have shown that polyphenol supplementation lowers F2-isoprostane concentrations at 60 to 72 per cent VO2max. The authors point out that the lack of a placebo control is a limitation. In addition, the number of test subjects involved is manageable.
Several suppliers on the sports nutrition market now offer products that rely on the power of cherries. In Germany, for example, Cellavent has been offering a concentrate made from the Montmorency sour cherry for 13 years. The Product Cherry Plus was used last season by the Belgian team Lotto-Intermarché, among others.
Cherry Plus Info:
- Price: 24,95 Euro >> available here
- Concentrate from the Montmorency sour cherry (Prunus cerasus)
- The highest content of polyphenols and anthocyanins compared to other cherry varieties
- One bottle contains the concentrate of over 1,450 cherries (approx. 10 kg of cherries)
- Listed on the Cologne List
Kristian Bauer
Editor
