Tart cherries contain combination of powerful antioxidants that may help reduce risk factors for heart disease, according to research information presented at the Experimental Biology annual meeting in Washington, DC.
In a series of three studies, researchers conducted at the University of Michigan, University of Arizona and Brunswick labs studied the antioxidant levels and anti-inflammatory benefits of tart cherries. They found:
- Reduced Inflammation and Cardiovascular Risk
- Reduced Hardening of the Arteries and other Heart Disease Risk
- Cherries Are Powerful Antioxidants
Reduced Inflammation and Cardiovascular Risk:
Drinking eight ounces of tart cherry juice daily for four weeks significantly reduced important markers of inflammation in a study of 10 overweight adults. Many of the adults also had lower levels of uric acid (linked to inflammation and gout) and triglycerides (linked to heart disease).
Reduced Atherosclerosis and other Heart Disease Risk:
A cherry diet (at 1% of diet as tart cherry powder) reduced C reactive protein and other markers of inflammation by up to 36 percent and lowered levels of total cholesterol by 26 percent in a five-month mouse study. The researchers suggest that there’s an atherosclerosis benefit connected to both lowering cholesterol, and an anti-inflammatory effect, specifically in the blood vessels coming from the heart. Importantly, the mice eating the cherry diets had a 65 percent reduction in early death, likely due to improved cardiovascular health.2
Powerful Antioxidants:
The heart benefits and many others may be due to the unique combination of natural antioxidant compounds in the “Super Fruit.” About one cup of freeze-dried tart cherries have an ORAC over 10,000, and contain a diverse combination of antioxidant compounds and phytochemicals likely responsible for their health benefits, according to the researchers.3
Eating Natural Red is Powerful!
Earlier research conducted at the University of Michigan found that cherry enriched diets in animals have been previously found to decrease several heart disease risk factors, including lower fat and body weight, lowering total cholesterol levels, and reducing belly fat.
This is research is the latest in a growing body of science linking cherries to protection against heart disease and inflammation.
The University of Michigan researchers, employed a “whole food” approach, also determined that diets rich in cherries lowered not only overall body inflammation, but inflammation at key sites (belly fat, heart) known to affect heart disease risk in obese, at-risk rats.
Researchers believe the anti-inflammatory properties in cherries can be attributed to the antioxidant compounds in the red fruit called anthocyanins, also responsible for cherries’ bright red color. In addition to heart heath benefits, research also suggests cherries could affect inflammation related to muscle recovery post-workout and arthritis.
Available year-round in dried, juice and frozen form, it’s easy to incorporate the RED power of cherries into the daily diet to manage inflammation.
For more information visit http://www.choosecherries.com
Source: Eureaka altert.org