Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by relapsing inflammation of the colonic mucosa, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and reduced quality of life. Although pharmacological therapies—including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics—are effective for many patients, they may be associated with side effects, incomplete remission, or high costs. Consequently, there is growing scientific and clinical interest in identifying safe, diet-based strategies that can complement standard medical treatment and help control intestinal inflammation. A placebo-controlled human trial published in 2025 provides important evidence supporting Montmorency tart cherry juice as one such adjunctive intervention.

The study, titled “Health benefits of Montmorency tart cherry juice supplementation in adults with mild to moderate Ulcerative Colitis,” was published in Life and conducted by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire and the University of Central Lancashire. Using a randomized, placebo-controlled design, the trial enrolled adults with mild-to-moderate UC who continued their usual medical treatment throughout the study. Participants in the intervention group consumed 130 ml of diluted Montmorency tart cherry juice twice daily for six weeks, while the control group received a placebo beverage matched for taste and appearance. This design allowed the researchers to isolate the effects of the cherry juice itself, independent of medication changes or placebo expectations.

The primary biological outcome of the study was faecal calprotectin, a well-validated and widely used biomarker of intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. Elevated faecal calprotectin reflects neutrophil infiltration into the gut mucosa and correlates closely with disease activity in UC. After six weeks, participants consuming Montmorency tart cherry juice experienced an average 40% reduction in faecal calprotectin compared with the placebo group. This finding indicates a substantial anti-inflammatory effect localized to the intestinal tract, providing objective evidence that the intervention influenced underlying disease biology rather than symptoms alone.

In addition to these biomarker improvements, the study reported meaningful patient-centered benefits. Health-related quality of life increased by approximately 9% in the tart cherry group, as measured by validated instruments including the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). Improvements in quality of life are clinically significant in UC, as the disease often affects daily functioning, social participation, and psychological well-being even during periods of mild activity. The observed gains suggest that reducing intestinal inflammation translated into tangible improvements in how patients felt and functioned.

Interestingly, the researchers found no significant changes in systemic blood inflammatory markers. This pattern suggests that the effects of Montmorency tart cherry juice were largely localized to the gut rather than producing widespread systemic immunosuppression. From a safety and mechanistic standpoint, this is an important observation. Localized modulation of intestinal inflammation may reduce the risk of systemic side effects and supports the idea that dietary polyphenols can act directly within the gastrointestinal environment.

The biological plausibility of these findings is supported by the known composition of Montmorency tart cherries. They are rich in anthocyanins and other polyphenolic compounds with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Previous experimental studies have shown that these compounds can modulate inflammatory signaling pathways, reduce oxidative stress, and influence gut microbiota composition. Within the context of UC, such actions may help dampen mucosal inflammation and support barrier integrity without interfering with systemic immune function.

Despite the encouraging results, the authors emphasized appropriate caution in interpreting the findings. The study duration was relatively short, and the sample size, while sufficient to detect changes in faecal calprotectin, does not allow conclusions about long-term disease control, relapse prevention, or reduction in medication use. Moreover, Montmorency tart cherry juice was tested as an adjunct to standard therapy, not as a standalone treatment. The researchers were explicit that the intervention should be viewed as supportive rather than a replacement for established medical care.

In conclusion, the 2025 placebo-controlled human trial published in Life demonstrates that short-term supplementation with Montmorency tart cherry juice can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation and improve quality of life in adults with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (Life, 2025). By achieving a 40% reduction in faecal calprotectin and measurable improvements in patient-reported outcomes—without systemic inflammatory changes—the study positions tart cherry juice as a promising, low-risk dietary adjunct in UC management. While larger and longer-term trials are needed to confirm durability and clinical impact, these findings contribute meaningful human evidence to the growing field of nutrition-based supportive therapies for inflammatory bowel disease.