Cherries are a high source of potassium, dietary fiber and beta carotene. In addition, cherries contain potent antioxidants that might ease the pain of medical conditions such as arthritis. An alternative to eating tart cherries is to ingest tart cherry extract, which provides the same health benefits that enhance overall health.
Anthocyanins
Mauralee Nair and colleagues investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of tart cherries. They discovered that cherries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which prevent oxidative damage caused by oxygen or free radicals. Free radicals can damage healthy cells and might increase the risk for disease. Furthermore, anthocyanins inhibit cyclooxygenase -1 and -2 -- enzymes associated with inflammation in the body -- greater than drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. The ability of cherries to reduce pain can help combat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, according to research reported in the January 1999 issue of the journal "American Chemical Society."
Muscle Recovery
Tart cherry extract might help aid muscle recovery and reduce muscle damage. Lead researcher Dr. Glyn Howatson from Northumbria University studied the impact of cherries on C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, which are markers of inflammation, and isometric strength, which is an indicator of muscle damage. Participants were assigned cherry juice or a placebo five days before and 48 hours after participating in a marathon event. At the end of the study, the cherry group experienced a faster recovery of isometric strength and had lower levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein compared to those administered a placebo, according to Howatson's research, which was published in the October 2009 issue of the "Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports."
Combats Heart Disease and Diabetes
Tart cherry extract might reduce factors associated with heart disease and diabetes. Steve Bolling, M.D., and colleagues from the University of Michigan gave lean rats that were prone to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and impaired glucose tolerance a low-fat diet with or without cherries. At the end of the study, rats adhering to a low-fat diet with cherries had lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol and lower levels of inflammation compared to rats following the same diet without cherries. Although these results are promising, human trials need to be conducted.
References
- ScienceDaily: Natural Painkillers And Strong Antioxidants Found In Tart Cherries
- Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports: Influence of Tart Cherry Juice on Indices of Recovery Following Marathon Running
- ScienceDaily: Tart Cherries May Reduce Factors Associated With Heart Disease And Diabetes
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