Royal Farms

Diabetes Prevention

Some of the compounds in cherries appear to aid in diabetes control and in reducing the complications associated with this disease, including insulin resistance syndrome, or “pre-diabetes, also referred to as metabolic syndrome.  Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of traits that can greatly increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes, characterized by abdominal obesity or belly fat, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels.

Metabolic syndrome has become increasingly common in the United States, especially among adults in their mid-30s.  The American Heart Association estimates that 50 million American adults have it, and many of them don’t even know it.  That’s why metabolic syndrome is frequently called a “silent epidemic.”

A recent study presented conducted by University of Michigan researchers, found that antioxidant-rich cherries helped reduce many of the risk factors for heart disease and metabolic syndrome, by:

• Lowering total cholesterol levels
• Reducing triglycerides (blood fats)
• Lowering insulin and fasting glucose levels
• Lowering levels of a plasma marker of oxidative damage
• Increasing blood antioxidant capacity
• Reducing “fatty liver”

Information provided by the Cherry Marketing Institute.  www.choosecherries.com
 

Arthritis / Inflammation

For decades, tart cherries have quietly grown a devoted fan base of arthritis sufferers who routinely consumed the fruit (particularly as juice) to help soothe their symptoms. Today there is a body of research to support the cherry folklore.

The suspicion that cherries might help with arthritis and gout was first proposed more than 50 years ago. This preliminary study found that daily cherry consumption helped to relieve “gout attacks” and the pain associated with arthritis. After eating cherries, patients in the study had lower blood levels of uric acid. Elevated levels of uric acid are associated with the onset and progression of gout. Since then, several studies have confirmed this link. Another reason why cherries may help ease the pain of gout and arthritis is due to their high concentrations of anthocyanins 1 and 2. These antioxidants help block enzymes in the body called cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, (more commonly known as COX-1 and COX-2). Some pain medication works by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2, which may explain why people with arthritis and gout experience an analgesic effect when they eat tart cherries

Information provided by the Cherry Marketing Institute.  www.choosecherries.com 

Antioxidants

Cherries are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants. In fact, they have among the highest levels of antioxidants – containing about the same as blueberries.

The Antioxidant Power of Cherries
Antioxidant strength is measured in Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) units. ORAC measures how many oxygen radicals a specific food can absorb and deactivate. The more oxygen radicals a food absorbs, the higher its ORAC score. The higher the ORAC score, the better a food is at helping our bodies fight diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Nutritionists suggest that people consume 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units a day to have an impact on their health. Just one ounce of cherry juice concentrate supplies 3,622 ORAC units, about an entire day’s recommendation.

Antioxidant Levels of Cherries

• Cherry Juice Concentrate: 12,800 ORAC units
• Dried Cherries: 6,800 ORAC units
• Frozen Cherries: 2,033 ORAC units
• Canned Cherries: 1,700 ORAC units

The Power of Red — Anthocyanins
Cherries contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that provide the distinctive red color and may hold the key to the health benefits locked inside. These rich, red pigments that give cherries their color are a type of phytonutrient known as flavonoids, which have been linked to a variety of health benefits.

Studies suggest that these disease-fighting pigments possess anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and anti-carcinogenic properties. Of the 150 different flavonoids found in plants, anthocyanins appear to have the greatest antioxidant capacity. Cherries are one of the richest sources of anthocyanins, containing more than sweet cherries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are not found in blueberries. For more detail on the antioxidant power of cherries, click here.

For more information on antioxidants, visit the American Dietetic Association Web site at www.eatright.org, Mayo Clinic at www.mayoclinic.com or Cleveland Clinic at www.clevelandclinic.org.

Information provided by the Cherry Marketing Institute. www.choosecherries.com