The Healing Power of Tart Cherries
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Tart cherry compounds have been found to aid:
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Ruby-red tart cherries are the healing fruit, and are used to make our cherry concentrate. Ongoing research shows the power of cherries to relieve the pain of arthritis and gout and lower the risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases. That's because Montmorency tart cherries are a rich source of antioxidants, including anthocyanins (responsible for the red skin color of the cherries) and melatonin, all of which can help the body destroy free radicals.
The latest research on the health benefits of cherries is summarized in this newsletter.
Tart Cherry Anthocyanins Inhibit Tumor Development
New studies at Michigan State University (MSU), which were recently published in Cancer Letters, suggest that tart cherries may reduce the risk of colon cancer because of the anthocyanins and cyanidin contained in the cherry. Dr. Mauraleedharan Nair and Dr. Leslie Bourquin along with several graduate students worked on experiments that are part of ongoing research on the components of tart cherries.
"Based on previous observations that tart cherries can inhibit the Cox enzymes, we conducted experiments to test the potential of tart cherry anthocyanins to inhibit intestinal tumor development in mice," says Dr. Bourquin, an associate professor in food science at MSU. The laboratory mice can very quickly produce the same type of tumors as humans. Mice consuming the tart cherry anthocyanins had significantly fewer and smaller cecal adenomas (colon tumors) than the mice consuming the control diet. The dosage given to the mice does not translate into a specific amount of cherries for humans. Data from animal studies, like this one, may spur human clinical trials. Meanwhile, consumers may have similar effects by eating cherries and drinking cherry juice.
Dr. Nair, a professor in the department of Horticulture and with the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center at MSU, has been researching the biologically active components of tart cherries and their healthful effects for more than 12 years; it's currently one of the primary areas of his research. "We are looking for a non-toxic compound for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Right now that's an oxymoron, but we will see something useful eventually," Dr. Nair says. He believes that a steady supply of tart cherries can improve the overall quality of life. "Everyone is looking for the best quality of life."
Pain is often a big factor in the quality of life and Dr. Nair thinks that the pain relieving power of tart cherry anthocyanins may have direct applications in cancer. While the research on tart cherry anthocyanins at MSU is ongoing, Dr. Nair also has teamed up with researchers at other universities to study the pain relief of tart cherries (especially as related to cancer). A project at Johns Hopkins University in which Dr. Nair collaborated with Dr. S. Raja studied tart cherry anthocyanins in relation to chronic pain. The research, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, will be published soon.
The current interest in the health benefits of whole foods, including cherries, will continue, according to Dr. Bourquin. "It will eventually be possible to identify the compounds in dietary ingredients that can reduce chronic disease. We will continue to move in that direction."
Diet and Disease
While research on the health benefits of tart cherries is ongoing, the link between some common life-threatening diseases and diet is strong and well documented. Eating a healthful diet and being physically active can reduce cancer risks, according to the American Cancer Society. Evidence suggests that one-third of the 550,000 cancer deaths in the United States each year are a result of unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.
The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends a plant-based diet of fruits (including cherries), vegetables, whole grains and legumes. A low-fat diet that includes at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily can decrease the overall incidence of cancer by 20 percent, according to the Institute.
The case is even stronger with colorectal cancer, for which the main causes are believed to be diet and related factors. Research suggests that up to 50 percent of the colorectal cancers could be prevented by diets high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat.
"Tart cherry juice concentrate is wonderful! In six weeks, I have enjoyed a great improvement in an arthritic knee and I'm able to sleep peacefully for seven hours. For me, life really is a bowl of cherries." Marie from Texas
"I could hardly walk because of the pain of gout in my feet. Once I started drinking cherry juice daily, the pain went away. I have been free of the pain of gout now for three years." Don from Florida
"I have had fibromyalgia for about 12 years. Since May 2002, I have been using tart cherry juice concentrate. It has turned my life around. While I am still on medication for the fibromyalgia, drinking the cherry juice everyday has helped tremendously with the pain." Aggie from Illinois
"I have arthritis and gout. I've been taking two separate prescriptions for these afflictions. I have been using tart cherry juice for about four weeks and I stopped taking the medicine. I'm not saying I won't need the medicine anymore, but it feels great not having to use all those pills." Tim from Michigan
Consumers may respond differently to tart cherries; results vary. Some people feel results within a few days. Others do not have pain relief until they have used the product daily for several weeks. Before changing prescribed medications, consult you physician. People with diabetes can drink cherry juice and eat cherries as part of a healthy eating plan by using the nutrition information on the products.
Consumers and medical practitioners who have discovered beneficial health effects from tart cherries can send their comments to the Cherry Marketing Institute, P.O. Box 30285, Lansing, MI 48909-7785.
Glossary of Terms
As you learn more about the health benefits of cherries and other foods, there undoubtedly will be new words that researchers use to describe their work. Listed below are a few of these words with definitions that have been assembled by the Family and Consumer Sciences Department at the Ohio State University.
Functional Food - Any food or food ingredient that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains.
Nutraceutical - Specific chemical compounds in food, including vitamins and additives that may aid in preventing disease.
Pharmafood - Food or nutrient that claims medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease.
Phytochemical - Non-nutrient plant chemicals that contain protective, disease-preventing compounds.
Chemoprevention - Using one or several chemical compounds to prevent,
stop, or reverse the development of cancer.
Designer Food - Processed foods that are supplemented with food
ingredients naturally rich in disease-preventing substances.
Cherries lowers Blood Urate Levels
New research adds to the in vitro evidence that compounds in cherries may inhibit inflammatory pathways. Dr. Robert A. Jacob with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Human Nutrition Center at the University of California at Davis and a team of researchers reported the findings from their study in the June 2003 issue of The Journal of Nutrition. Ten healthy women, ages 20 to 40, consumed 45 fresh sweet cherries. The results show that all the women had lower blood uric acid levels after consuming the cherries; the average reduction in blood uric acid levels was 15 percent. Gout, a painful disease of the joints, is associated with high uric acid levels. These high uric acid levels also can indicate future heart attacks and strokes. Information about the study also was featured in the December 2003 issue of Prevention magazine.
Dr. Jacob believes that the anthocyanins in the cherries is what caused the decrease in blood urate and that eating cherries may help lower heart attack and stroke risk. Jacob says canned or dried tart cherries and tart cherry juice contain the same anthocyanins as the fresh sweet cherries used in the study. One serving of cherries a day should have some benefit, according to Dr. Jacob.
Pain Relief Never Tasted So Good!
By Tina Miller, MS RD
Nutrition lecturer, Dietetics Department
Eastern Michigan University
Look at the person to your left, then to your right - chances are good that one of you battles arthritis pain every day. According to a recent survey, 70 million (one in three) Americans suffer from some form of joint disease, including osteoarthritis and gout. Pain from arthritis reduces mobility and quality of life. In fact, arthritis can be more than pain in your joints - it can be a pain in the wallet too! Americans spend over $1 billion every year on alternative therapies to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.
Unfortunately, there is no cure. However, there are reasonable natural, and even flavorful, methods to managing your arthritis or gout pain. Research has taught us that inflammation associated with arthritic disorders is the chief cause of discomfort. Foods that decrease inflammation can reduce the pain associated with arthritis. In particular, the Montmorency tart cherry is a leader among foods that possess anti-inflammatory properties. Bioactive anthocyanins (pigments) present in tart cherries are the powerhouses that help relieve inflammation. As an added bonus, these same anthocyanins may significantly reduce your risk for colon cancer, the third leading cancer in America.
How much do you need? While there is no set "prescription" for the use of tart cherries, most people benefit from consuming two tablespoons of tart cherry juice concentrate daily. If you're on a low-acid diet, you can still use cherry juice concentrate, just be sure to consume it in combination with other foods, or at the end of a meal. Frozen and dried tart cherries are also effective for relieving arthritis and gout pain. The key is consistency. Make consumption of tart cherries part of your healthy eating plan everyday. With all the wonderful benefits provided by tart cherries why wait? Buy our cherry juice concentrate and begin enjoying its delicious taste and benefits.