Differences Between Tart Cherry And Black Cherry Juice

Many people choose juices to get their daily servings of fruit -- they are convenient and taste good. Cherry juices are becoming a popular choice as more than just part of a healthy diet. Cherries have been found to aid in the management of gout and arthritis pain, as well as the treatment of exercise-induced muscle soreness, by reducing inflammation. However there are differences between tart cherry and black cherry juices.

Anthocyanins

While all cherries contain some anthocyanins, tart cherries appear to have significantly higher concentrations than sweet black cherries, according to the Cherry Marketing Institute. Anthocycanins are a phenol compound found in cherries that give them their color. In tart cherries, there is about 312 milligrams of phenols in 100 grams of the fruit. Comparing the same amount of black cherries, there is only about 92 to 147 milligrams of phenols per 100 grams. This would make tart cherry juice a better choice for treating inflammation over black cherry juice.

Vitamins A and C

In terms of vitamin content, black cherry juice has more vitamins A and C in an 8 ounce glass than tart cherry juice. In fact, tart cherry juice contains no vitamin A, while black cherry juice contains approximately 4 percent of the daily recommended intake, based on a 2,000 calorie diet, according to MyFitnessPal.com. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for eye function, teeth and bones, hormone formation and neuromuscular function. In black cherry juice, there is about 25 percent of your recommended intake for vitamin C, while tart cherry juice only has 15 percent. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that aids in teeth, skin and blood formation, and is an antioxidant.

Sodium and Potassium

Sodium and potassium are electrolytes that are found in both juices in different amounts. Electrolytes regulate fluid balance in your body, ensuring that adequate nutrients get into your cells and that waste products are removed. Tart cherry juice has 20 milligrams of sodium and 410 milligrams of potassium per 8 ounce serving. Black cherry juice has less sodium at 10 milligrams, but more potassium at 560 milligrams per 8 ounce serving.

Considerations

Both types of cherry juice offer benefits. Black cherry juice has a slightly higher concentration of sugar, so it may be more palatable to some people. Both are similar in calories for the same serving size. If inflammation is your primary concern, drinking tart cherry juice offers more benefit, although black cherry juice will aid in treating inflammation as well.