The global market for natural antioxidants is expected to reach US$4.14 billion by 2022, according to a report from Grand View Research. While vitamin C is leading the market, accounting for more than 80 percent of global demand in 2014, new research is elevating interest in several ingredients in the category.

Tart cherry is one ingredient gaining recognition for its health benefits, including its role as an antioxidant. Tart cherries contain compounds that target both inflammation and oxidative stress, making them beneficial for athletes. Research published in 2014 in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism showed tart cherry supplementation reduced a marker of oxidative stress in trained cyclists, while research published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition attributed blood pressure-lowering effects of Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate to its polyphenolic compounds.