| New Research Shows the Power
of Cherries
Cherry Advantage 4
Summer 2002
Courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute:
Recently published research conducted at Michigan State University (1)
investigated a range of fruits and berries for the level and activity of
anthocyanins found in each. Researchers analyzed the ability of the
fruits to inhibit cyclooxygenase and act as antioxidants to destroy free
radicals. The researchers then quantified the anthocyanin levels of tart
and sweet cherries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries,
blueberries, cranberries, elderberries and bilberries.
Cyclooxygenase is produced in the body in two or more forms, termed
COX-1 and COX-2, for different purposes. COX-1 is built in many
different cells to create prostaglandins, which is used for basic
"housekeeping" messages throughout the body. The second enzyme, COX-2,
is built only in special cells and is used for signaling pain and
inflammation. Some pain relief medication works by blocking the messages
carried by COX-1, COX-2, or both, and thus the body does not feel pain
or inflammation. The anthocyanins that are able to block COX-1 and COX-2
are called Anthocyanins 1 and 2, respectively.
Researchers discovered that the antioxidant activity of anthocyanins
from cherries was superior to vitamin E at a test concentration of 125
g/ml. The COX inhibitory activities of anthocyanins from cherries were
comparable to those of ibuprofen and naproxen at 10 M concentrations.
Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are present in both cherries and raspberries. The
yields of pure anthocyanins 1 and 2 in 100 g in cherries and raspberries
were the highest of the fruits tested at 26.5 and 24 mg, respectively.
Fresh blackberries and strawberries contained only anthocyanin 2 at a
total level of 22.5 and 18.2 mg/100 g, respectively; whereas
anthocyanins 1 and 2 were not found in bilberries, blueberries,
cranberries or elderberries.
Referencess
(1) Seeram N. P., et al. Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant
cyaniding glycosides in cherries and berries. Phytomedicine. 2001 Sept 8
(5): 362-9.
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Cherries: The Healing Fruit
Cherry Advantage 3
Courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute:
The good news about the health benefits of
cherries continues to increase. According to ongoing research,
Montmorency tart cherries are a rich source of antioxidants,
which can help fight cancer and heart disease. In addition,
there are beneficial compounds in Montmorency tart cherries that
help relieve the pain of arthritis and gout. Other fruits and
vegetable do not have the pain relief of tart cherries. While
the research on the exact mechanisms that give the pain relief
is ongoing, many consumers are discovering that tart cherry
juice and other cherry products can stave off pain.
Research also shows that tart cherries are a rich source of
powerful antioxidants, including kaempferol, quercetin and
melatonin. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant considered more
potent that vitamins C, E, and A, because it is soluble both in
fat and water.
The latest information on the health benefits of cherries is
summarized in this newsletter. Read on for details on how
ruby-red cherries are the healing fruit.
When Fighting Pain, Being Inhibited Is Not a
Bad Thing
When pain from arthritis and gout strikes the body, most people
don't care how their medicine works, as long as it does work.
What many pain sufferers take for granted is the complex
chemical process that allows their pain medication to work. It's
the same chemistry that is making tart cherries the preferred
"medication" for a booming generation of pain sufferers.
Drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen are called non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They work by inhibiting two
enzymes, cyclooxygenase I and II (popularly known as COX 1 and
COX 2), which are produced by the body as a response to pain.
NSAIDs prevent chemical messages from binding to cyclooxygenase.
The normal messages are not delivered, so the body does not feel
the pain and doesn't become inflammed (1).
Unfortunately, many patients must take pain medication daily,
which can cause numerous side effects, including upset stomachs,
vomiting, kidney damage and, possibly, ulcers. This is because
NSAIDs inhibit both COX 1 and COX 2, but the COX 1 enzyme is
also important for maintaining normal cell function within
several organs (2).
Tart cherries contain flavonoid compounds that function in the
same manner as NSAIDs and can inhibit both COX enzymes. However,
research also shows that flavonoids can protect against stomach
damage, unlike their NSAID counterparts (3). It is suspected
that the high levels of antioxidants found in cherries,
particularly melatonin, provide a protective function and
prevent unwanted symptoms. This makes concentrated cherry
products superior to over-the-counter pain relief because
cherries block pain in the same manner and reduce potential
side-effects (4).
References
(1) H. M. Berman, et al, "The Protein Data Bank," Nucleic Acids
Research, 28, 2000: 235-242.
(2) Perazella, Mark A., "COX-2 Inhibitors and the Kidney,"
Hospital Practice, September 15, 2001.
(3) Blank, M.A., et al, "flavonoid-induced gastroprotection in
rats: Role of blood flow and leukocyte adherence," Digestion, 58
1997: 147-154.
(4) Wang, Haibo, "Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Compounds in
tart Cherries," doctoral dissertation, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, MI 1998. |
Tart cherries have shown great potential in treating pain and
inflammation, gout, fibromyalgia, heart disease, arthritis, and possibly
even cancer. A great example of a whole tart cherry supplement is
TheraCherry, made from whole Montmorency tart cherries. Each capsule of
TheraCherry contains the equivalent of about 20 tart cherries and you
can purchase TheraCherry here.
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