Tart Cherries Reduce Inflammation, Boost Heart Health

WASHINGTONEating antioxidant-rich tart cherries may help reduce the risk of heart disease, according to three new studies presented April 11 at Experimental Biology 2011 annual meeting.

Funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute, researchers from University of Michigan, University of Arizona and Brunswick labs studied the antioxidant levels and anti-inflammatory benefits of tart cherries. In the first study, they found drinking 8 ounces of tart cherry juice daily for four weeks significantly reduced important markers of inflammation in overweight or obese adults. Many of the adults also had lower levels of uric acid and triglycerides.

Results from the second study revealed a cherry diet (at 1 percent 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 there is an atherosclerosis benefit connected to both lowering cholesterol, and an anti-inflammatory effect, specifically in the blood vessels coming from the heart. The mice eating the cherry diets had a 65-percent reduction in early death.

Results of the third study suggest heart benefits may be due to the unique combination of natural antioxidant compounds in the superfruit. 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, the researchers said.

Researchers attribute the benefits to anti-inflammatory, 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.