Tart Montmorency cherry supplementation improves sustained attention, alertness, and reduces mental fatigue in middle-aged adults
In a 3-month double-blind RCT, 30 ml of Montmorency cherry concentrate twice daily improved digit vigilance accuracy by 3.3% (95% CI: 0.2, 6.4%) and reduced false alarms by 1.2 (95% CI: -2.0, -0.4) compared to placebo. Alertness increased by 5.9% (95% CI: 1.3, 10.5%) and mental fatigue decreased by 9.5% (95% CI: -16.5, -2.5%).
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Tart Montmorency cherry supplementation improves sustained attention, alertness, and reduces mental fatigue in middle-aged adults The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 42/100 (low).
The Claim
Tart Montmorency cherry supplementation improves sustained attention, alertness, and reduces mental fatigue in middle-aged adults
This conclusion is most relevant to: Middle-aged adults (mean age 48 ± 6 years, n=50).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Polyphenol-rich tart cherries (Prunus Cerasus, cv Montmorency) improve sustained attention, feelings of alertness and mental fatigue and influence the plasma metabolome in middle-aged adults: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. (The British journal of nutrition, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Polyphenol-rich cherries provide anthocyanins and other polyphenols
- ▸These compounds exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasomodulatory actions
- ▸Plasma metabolomics showed increased amino acids after cherry intake
- ▸Result: Improved sustained attention, alertness, and reduced mental fatigue
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Middle-aged adults (mean age 48 ± 6 years, n=50)
Recommended Dose
30 ml twice daily
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Small sample size (n=50 total, 25 per group)
- ▸Mechanism of action not fully established; only correlational metabolomic changes reported
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended dose of Montmorency cherry concentrate for cognitive benefits?▼
The study used 30 ml twice daily for 3 months.
How long does it take to see improvements in attention and fatigue?▼
The study measured outcomes after 3 months of supplementation.
Who was the study population?▼
Middle-aged adults with an average age of 48 years, ranging from 42 to 54 years.
What cognitive tasks were used to measure attention?▼
A computerised cognitive task battery including digit vigilance, with accuracy and false alarm rates reported.
References
- 1.Kimble R, Keane KM, Lodge JK, Cheung W, Haskell-Ramsay CF, Howatson G. “Polyphenol-rich tart cherries (Prunus Cerasus, cv Montmorency) improve sustained attention, feelings of alertness and mental fatigue and influence the plasma metabolome in middle-aged adults: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial..” The British journal of nutrition, 2026. PMID: 35109960 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114522000460