Anti-Inflammatory Tart Cherry Smoothie Recipe

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC

Medically reviewed by

Richard Fogoros, MD

Updated on September 20, 2019

(20 ratings)

Total Time: 10 min

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 0 min

Servings: 1

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

263 calories

1g fat

53g carbs

15g protein

Show Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	263
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g	1%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 2mg	1%
Sodium 82mg	4%
Total Carbohydrate 53g	19%
Dietary Fiber 3g	11%
Total Sugars 44g
Includes 0g Added Sugars	0%
Protein 15g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 211mg	16%
Iron 1mg	6%
Potassium 923mg	20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

This cool and refreshing smoothie attacks inflammation in three ways: Leafy greens like spinach are top notch for battling inflammation, while tart cherries are especially beneficial for post-exercise muscle recovery. The third all-star ingredient is a compound called bromelain found in pineapple. This powerful enzyme may assist in reducing inflammation throughout the body.

The recipe is complete with a shot of Greek yogurt, which adds protein and tummy-pleasing probiotics.

Ingredients

¾ cup tart cherry juice
1 cup frozen pineapple
½ cup baby spinach
½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt

Preparation

Place tart cherry juice in a blender, followed by pineapple, spinach, and yogurt.
Blend until smooth.
Pour and sip.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

For a vegan and dairy-free version, replace Greek yogurt with high protein soy milk. Rice or almond milk are also healthy lower protein options.

For an alternative protein boost option, add a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Other healthy ideas for add-ins include walnuts, chia seeds, or a spoon full of almond butter. Although nutritious, note that these are calorie-dense, so be mindful of portion sizes!

Cooking and Serving Tips

Enjoy this hydrating and nutrient-packed smoothie for breakfast or a post-workout recovery snack.

Look for tart cherry juice in the natural foods section of the grocery store. As the name suggests, the tart cherry juice is tart and flavorful, so it's best combined with extra sweet pineapple to balance out the flavors.

For optimal blending and an extra smooth consistency, add the liquid before the other ingredients, then blend for at least 90 seconds.