Tart Cherry Plus Fish Oil May Support Gut Health Differently in Male and Female Mice
This study looked at how tart cherry extract, fish oil, and the two combined affected gut bacteria and intestinal barrier health in mice fed a high-fat diet. Two different mouse strains, male and female, were fed low-fat, high-fat, or high-fat diets supplemented with tart cherry, fish oil, or both for 14 weeks.
Researchers found that a high-fat diet led to changes in gut bacteria and reduced markers of intestinal barrier strength, both of which are commonly linked to obesity-related metabolic issues. Supplementing with tart cherry and fish oil, especially together, helped shift bacterial populations toward a more favorable balance and supported the expression of genes involved in maintaining gut lining integrity.
Interestingly, these benefits were more pronounced in female mice than in male mice, and effects also varied depending on the mouse strain used. This suggests that sex and genetic background may influence how dietary supplements interact with gut health.
What this means for you
This is early-stage animal research, not a human study, so it cannot tell us how tart cherry and fish oil combinations would affect people. However, it adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that diet-based interventions may influence gut bacteria and gut barrier function in sex-specific ways, which could be worth exploring in future human research.
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The Journal of nutrition · 2026-08-26 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101802
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.