Information About Melatonin
Cherry Concentrate is a rich source of Melatonin
The "Dean of Melatonin Research" Gives Tart Cherries High Marks
Dr. Russel Reiter never envisioned that he'd become a hero to U. S. tart cherry growers, but then again, he never imagined that melatonin, the simple, natural hormone he'd been studying for years would be found in such significant quantities in tart cherries.
"We were surprised at how much melatonin was in cherries, specifically the Montmorency variety," says Reiter. The only other fruits that have been examined to date are bananas and pineapples, and both have comparatively low melatonin levels. "Cherry juice concentrate, which involves greatly reducing the water content, has ten times the melatonin of the raw fruit." (1)
Produced in the pineal gland at the base of the brain, melatonin controls sleepiness at night, wakefulness in daytime and functions as an antioxidant to help the body destroy free radicals.(2) Recent research conducted by Dr. Reiter at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, quantified the availability and activity of melatonin found in cherry products. The results were astonishing. Cherries contain an extremely significant quantity of melatonin, enough to produce positive results in the body.
Montmorency cherries, which account for the majority of tart cherries produced in the United States, contain up to 13.5 nanograms (ng) of melatonin per gram of cherries, more than is normally found in the blood.(3)
Dr. Russel Reiter began his distinguished career more than 30 years ago in neuroendocrinology, the study of the glands and hormones of the brain. A year earlier, in 1958, a dermatologist named Aaron Lerner at Yale University discovered the existence of melatonin. (4) Today, Dr. Reiter is the preeminent scientist on melatonin and the advantageous effects it has on human health and well-being. Dr. Reiter has authored or co-authored more than 700 papers in his field, trained over 130 doctorates, and is the author of the book Melatonin, published by Bantam Books. His peers consider him the "dean of melatonin research".
One of the main areas on which Dr. Reiter focused in his recent work addresses a common consumer concern, which is, "will the melatonin present in cherries actually increase melatonin levels in the body favorably?" Melatonin is by far the most potent of the antioxidants, much more so than vitamins C, E and A. The reason: melatonin is soluble both in fat and water and can therefore enter some cells that vitamins cannot. For example, vitamin E is soluble in the lipid part of the cell only and vitamin C in the aqueous part. Melatonin is soluble in both. For this reason, Dr. Reiter says, eating cherries with high melatonin concentrations will increase the antioxidant capacity in the body.
Although melatonin is available as a supplement and can be purchased without a prescription, Dr. Reiter and other health experts extol the benefits of consuming melatonin through food consumption. Not only do many foods provide beneficial antioxidants and similar compounds, they are often found in foods that provide a variety of health benefits. Cherries may, one day, be classified as a functional food, but they also offer consumers great flavor, versatility and nutrition.
References:
(1) Echlin, Bill. 2001 "Dr. Cherry" has growers on the mend. Traverse City Record-Eagle. July 15, p.2B
(2) National Sleep foundation. 2001 Melatonin: The Facts. Washington, DC.
(3) Burkhardt, Tan, et al, Detection and Quantification of Antioxidant Melatonin in Montmorency Tart Cherries. Journal of American Chemical Society 49, 4898-4902.
(4) Redman, J., e al, Science, 1983, 219, 1089-91.
Cherry Research Update
American Institute for Cancer Research
The benefits of tart cherries, with their high levels of anthocyanins, perillyl alcohol and melatonin, recently caught the attention of the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), based in Washington D. C. Because the natural substances found in cherries have been shown to fight cancer both individually and in concert, the AICR has begun to fund additional research on the ability of cherries to work as anti-carcinogens. The AICR recently funded two research projects both with the intent to identify the cancer-fighting potential of perillyl alcohol and certain anthocyanins.
Cleveland Clinic - Taussig Cancer Center
The Taussig Cancer Center, which is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, has just begun Phase I of a study on the effects of perillyl alcohol for individuals with a known history of cancer. The study will test healthy women with a history of breast cancer, which has not recurred.
Perillyl alcohol (POH) and similar compounds (called limonenes) are used as food additives and are found naturally in fruits, particularly tart cherries. There is some evidence that compounds of this class can inhibit the growth of certain cancers and pre-cancerous lesions, perhaps by helping the body to get rid of potentially cancer-causing chemicals or by interfering with signals that cause cells to divide rapidly. The aim of the study is to determine what level of POH should be used in future studies to assess whether this compound is useful in preventing cancer.
Michigan State University - Heterocylic Aromatic Amines
Researchers at Michigan State University have begun to analyze the antioxidant compounds in tart cherries to determine their effect on heterocylic aromatic amine formation (HAA) when added to meat. The formation of HAA's can be carcinogenic or mutagenic and therefore, researchers continue to look for ways to inhibit their development. Similar experiments investigating the effects of organosulfur compounds found in garlic demonstrated some success in reducing HAA formation in cooked beef patties.
David Ropa, a consultant with Thomas J. Payne Market Development, wrote the story about Dr. Reiter and compiled the information on the most recent research projects being conducted on cherries.
Florida distributor has success with cherry juice
Cherry juice is a big hit in Florida as Jeff Willmeng is discovering. Willmeng is the Southwest Florida distributor for Nature Blessed Cherry Juice Concentrate (produced by Coloma Frozen Foods Inc.). He lives in the resort community of Marco Island, but is merchandising the product in health food stores stretching from Marco Island to Tampa. Several grocery stores also carry the product, and Jeff hopes to talk to the large supermarket chains in Florida soon. He found that health food stores are very accepting of new ideas. "I show the store managers the information about the research that is being done on cherries, and they almost always say they will try the product for a month. It sells great and they continue to carry the product."
The former Michigan farm boy, whose family has been in the cherry production business for generations, says that Floridians share his enthusiasm for the health benefits of cherry juice. Willmeng studied hotel and restaurant management in the early '90s before touring the country on a working holiday, and then ended up in Marco Island doing an internship at Marriott's Marco Island Resort.
One key to Jeff's success is doing product demonstrations. "Letting people taste the product is a big help in getting sales," Jeff says. "The people who buy the product soon become repeat customers and they swear by it. The best thing is that they tell their friends about it."
Consumers Praise Cherries
"In August, I started taking tart cherry juice for the few aches I have and I wanted to tell you how great it is. I had read about a study a couple of years ago, but didn't do anything about it until recently. I decided to try it and I'm so glad I did."
Barbara from Ohio
"I purchased my first quart of cherry juice at our farmer's market at Chicago's Federal Building. I'm thrilled to find something natural for my arthritis."
Judith from Illinois
"While vacationing in Michigan this summer, I purchased a quart of concentrated cherry juice. I used it four times a day for four days and my gout was gone. Wonderful stuff!"
Elizabeth from Florida
"I just wanted to tell you that I have been eating cherries in both fruit and concentrate forms for my osteoarthritis since 1985. I have not had a severe attack since then. I heartily recommend cherries for anyone who suffers from arthritis."
Michael from New York
"Your cherry juice is great. I have arthritis in my neck, back and legs. I bought cherry juice thinking it would be a treat to drink, even if it didn't help the pain. In less than two weeks, I noticed it was helping me. I couldn't believe it. I went on vacation and walked the beaches, climbed hills, played golf, and rode a bicycle. It is a new life."
Denzil from California
Consumers and medical practitioners who have discovered beneficial health effects from tart cherries can send their comments to the Cherry Marketing Institute.
The Natural Choice
Many consumers have discovered the healing power of Montmorency tart cherries by drinking cherry juice. In certain parts of the country, consumers can buy tart cherry juice or tart cherry juice concentrate from farm markets, natural/specialty food stores and in selected supermarkets. Cherry juice and, in particular, tart cherry juice concentrate have been standard products for the food industry for years. However, due to consumer interest in cherries, there has been a considerable increase of consumer-size packs of cherry juice. There are about 100 fresh cherries in an 8-ounce glass of cherry juice.
For consumers who are interested in buying 100% Montmorency tart cherry juice, there are two forms available - ready-to-drink cherry juice and cherry juice concentrate. Cherry juice is a ready-to-drink product and cherry juice concentrate requires adding water. It is important that the label states that the juice is made from Montmorency or tart cherries and the product is 100% juice. Cherry juice concentrate is sold both as a frozen concentrate or shelf stable product, while ready-to-drink cherry juice is sold as a shelf stable product.
In the Great Lakes region of the U.S., cherry juice is readily available in many food stores, including supermarkets. Nationally, natural food and organic food stores are starting to stock the product. If your store does not have 100% tart cherry juice, ask the storeowner or manager to stock it. Persistence pays off with store managers. In addition, there are many companies selling cherry juice through the Internet. Using any search engine, type in the key words cherry juice or cherry juice concentrate.
There is a new brochure all about cherry juice. It's called "The Natural Choice: Cherry Juice." To receive a free copy of the brochure, send a postcard with your name and address to: Cherry Marketing Institute, P.O. Box 30285, Dept. Juice, Lansing, MI 48909-7785
Celebrate with Cherries
According to legend, George Washington chopped down his father's cherry tree. Then he could not tell a lie and told his father what he had done. That legend, in fact, may have been a tale that a biographer dreamed up to fill space about Washington's early childhood. Nevertheless, this story about George Washington and the cherry tree is a part of American culture, and cherries have become a popular symbol for Washington's birthday. It's one of several reasons why February is National Cherry Month.
The ongoing research about the health benefits of cherries offers even more reasons to celebrate with cherries in February and throughout the year. Tart cherries are most famous in cherry pie. Some people even call them "pie cherries." So, there is no better way to celebrate than having a cherry pie. Cherries also are tasty in main courses, side dishes, salads and beverages.
The Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI), a national nonprofit promotion organization funded by U. S. cherry growers, publishes the Cherry Advantage. CMI's mission is to enhance the demand for tart cherries through market expansion and promotion. All of the information in this newsletter is for your use. Feel free to copy it and to circulate it to others.