Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics 5 3-4 2021 01 16 282 282 Nasim SaeidiFard Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran Kurosh Djafarian Sakineh Shab-Bidar 2019 07 14 2019 10 29 Background: Tart Cherry (TC) is recommended for muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS); however, the evidence is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of TC on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and Creatine kinase (CK). Methods: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were extracted from a literature search of online databases (PubMed and Scopus) performed up to September 5, 2018. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) between TC and placebo using random effects analysis. Results: In total, eight trials met the inclusion criteria including 189 athletes (TC 92, placebo 97). Pooling data showed plasma CK activity was reduce after TC supplementation at three follow-up times (24h: MD: -1.22, 95% CI: −1.85 to -0.59, p = 0<001, 48h: MD: -0.97 to 95% CI: -1.36 to -0.59, p = 0<001and more than 48 h: MD: -0.81 to 95% CI: -1.31 to -0.30, p = 0<001) in comparison to placebo group. There were no significant changes in DOMS between intervention and control groups in three times (24: MD: -0.79, 95% CI: −1.72 to 0.15, p = 0.98, 48h: MD: -0.72 to 95% CI: -2.29 to 0.85, p = 0.36 and >48h: MD: -0.06, 95% CI: −0.81 to 0.69, p = 0.87). Conclusion: Overall, our analysis supports tart cherry use for reducing Creatine kinase level after exercise. However, Tart cherry supplementation had no significant effect on DOMS. Additional research is required to determine effect of TC on muscle damage and DOMS in animals and humans. https://jnsd.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jnsd/article/view/282