Black cherry, or prunus serotina rosaceae, is part of the rose family. It shares the same benefits of other cherries such as bing, royal Ann and red cherries. Black cherries supply a good source of vitamins, provide powerful antioxidants and reduce inflammation. They are used for kidney support and joint health, to treat gout and as a sleep aid.
Antioxidant Properties
Black cherries contain polyphenols, which are organic compounds with antioxidant properties. A study by N.P. Seeram published in the February 2008 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" conducted tests on the antioxidant potency of different fruit juices such as black cherry, pomegranate, acai, blueberry, cranberry and concord grape juice. The study tested the juices' ability to inhibit low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) oxidation and total polyphenol content. Black cherry juice was in the top four juices for antioxidant capacity.
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Cherries, both sweet and tart, have anti-inflammatory properties. A study by R.A. Jacob, published in the June 2003 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition" found that cherries inhibit inflammatory pathways and, thus, decrease inflammation.
Gout Treatment
Gout is a type of arthritis. Crystals form in the joints from a buildup of too much uric acid in the body. This causes the joints to become inflamed. Men and women both suffer from gout. One of the treatments for gout is drinking 8 to 16 oz.of any cherry juice, including black cherry juice, daily. After two weeks, this lowers the uric acid, preventing gout attacks, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
A 2003 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center at the University of California at Davis followed 10 healthy women consuming sweet cherries and found that plasma urate decreased 5h, which supports the anti-gout efficacy of black cherries.
Sleep Aid
Black cherries contain serotonin, which produces beneficial effects on sleep. A study by M. Garrido and colleagues published in the September 2010 issue of "The Journals of Gerontology" performed a sleep study with volunteers. They found cherries from the Jerte Valley in Spain, such as black cherries, had a positive effect on sleep and sleep duration.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Comparison of Antioxidant Potency of Commonly Consumed Polyphenol-rich Beverages in the United States
- Western North Carolina Nature Center: Black Cherry-Prunus Serotina Rosaceae-Rose Family
- National Institutes of Health: Consumption of Cherries Lowers Plasma Urate in Healthy Women
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout
- National Institutes of Health: Jerte Valley Cherry-Enriched Diets Imporve Nocturnal Rest and Increase 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin and Total Antioxidant Capacity in the Urine of Middle-Aged and Elderly Humans
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