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Life Extension vs Sports Research Tart Cherry (2026)
Disclosure: We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores. Editorial policy
The Verdict
Life Extension edges Sports Research on our rubric, 90 to 88 on our 0-100 execution score, and the entire gap is our dosing and form pillar (25 vs 22), where we credit the 480mg CherryPure dose for matching the level used in published CherryPure recovery trials rather than exceeding it. Life Extension holds our Top Pick badge in the tart cherry scorecard. Sports Research counters with a higher 800mg dose, a liquid softgel format, and IGEN Non-GMO testing alongside cGMP manufacturing, and it scores a point higher than Life Extension on our value pillar (21 vs 20).
Neither carries NSF or USP certification. In our view the decision is format rather than quality: take Life Extension if you want the trial-matched dose in a vegetarian capsule, and Sports Research if you prefer a softgel and do not mind gelatin. At an identical $0.35 per day, you are not paying a penalty either way.
Tart Cherry with CherryPURE
Life Extension
Tart Cherry Concentrate 800mg Softgels (CherryPure)
Sports Research
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Tart Cherry with CherryPURE Life Extension | Tart Cherry Concentrate 800mg Softgels (CherryPure) Sports Research |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 90/100Winner | 88/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 25/25Winner | 22/25 |
| Purity | 22/25Winner | 22/25 |
| Value | 20/25 | 21/25Winner |
| Transparency | 23/25Winner | 23/25 |
| Cost/Day | $0.35Winner | $0.35 |
| Dose/Serving | 480mg | 800mg |
| Form | Vegetarian Capsule (CherryPure 50:1 concentrate) | Liquid Softgel (CherryPure 50:1 concentrate) |
| Third-Party Tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No |
Why This Comparison Matters
These two products use the same branded ingredient, CherryPure 50:1 Montmorency concentrate, at the same daily cost of about $0.35. That makes this one of the cleanest head-to-heads in our whole catalog, because the usual confounders are gone.
What is left is format and dose. Life Extension delivers 480mg in a vegetarian capsule, which our notes flag as the cleanest match to the dose used in published CherryPure recovery research. Sports Research delivers 800mg in a liquid softgel, which uses gelatin and is therefore not vegan. Both are 60-count bottles priced within a few cents of each other.
We scored both on dosing and form, purity verification, value, and label transparency.
Detailed Score Breakdown
Tart Cherry with CherryPURE
Life Extension
480mg of CherryPure per capsule matches the dose used in CherryPure-specific recovery trials
Life Extension uses third-party testing and provides certificates of analysis on request, GMP certified
$0.35/day at 480mg CherryPure - moderate pricing for the clinical-grade extract dose
CherryPure trademark and dose clearly labeled, vegetarian capsule, no proprietary blends
The 480mg CherryPure dose matches the level used in published recovery research, the cleanest match between label and trial
Tart Cherry Concentrate 800mg Softgels (CherryPure)
Sports Research
Uses CherryPure 50:1 Montmorency concentrate, the same standardized ingredient used in clinical trials
Sports Research uses cGMP-compliant manufacturing, IGEN non-GMO tested, and discloses CherryPure branding on the label
$0.35/day at 1 softgel (800mg CherryPure) after the 2026 repricing - still solid value for a branded standardized extract
CherryPure trademark disclosed, Montmorency origin specified, softgel format with no proprietary blend
Sports Research has built a reputation for clean ingredient sourcing and transparent labeling on branded extracts
How We Compared These Products
Every product in our database is scored on four equally-weighted pillars: dosing accuracy and form quality, purity verification (third-party testing), cost per clinically effective dose (not cost per pill), and label transparency. Each pillar is worth 25 points for a total of 100.
Cost per effective dose is calculated using the clinically studied dose from published research, not the manufacturer's suggested serving. If a product requires multiple servings to reach the dose used in clinical trials, that cost is reflected in the value score.
For a full explanation of our scoring methodology, see our methodology page. Prices were last checked on the dates listed for each product and may have changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both use the same CherryPure ingredient?
Yes. Both products use CherryPure 50:1 Montmorency tart cherry concentrate, the branded standardized ingredient used in the published recovery trials, and both disclose the CherryPure trademark on the label. The difference is the amount per unit and the delivery format, not the raw material.
Is 800mg better than 480mg of tart cherry extract?
Not necessarily. Our dosing pillar credits Life Extension's 480mg specifically because it matches the dose used in the CherryPure-specific recovery research rather than going above it. More extract is not automatically better when the trial dose is known. Sports Research's 800mg is a legitimate higher dose, just not the trial-matched one.
Which tart cherry supplement is vegetarian?
Life Extension. It uses a vegetarian capsule and is also gluten-free and non-GMO. Sports Research uses a liquid softgel, which contains gelatin and is therefore not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
More Tart Cherry Comparisons
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FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.