Building Block Associates

  • Home
  • Products & Solutions
    • View Supplies
    • What's In Season
    • Manage Mie Foodservice Manager
    • Foodservice Webinars
    • Become A Member
  • Online Store
  • Social Chat Blog
    • Foodservices News
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Home
  • Products & Solutions
    • View Supplies
    • What's In Season
    • Manage Mie Foodservice Manager
    • Foodservice Webinars
    • Become A Member
  • Online Store
  • Social Chat Blog
    • Foodservices News
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

New Research Finds Tart Cherry Juice Has Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

1/15/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., and are often linked to underlying inflammation and oxidative stress. This study builds upon previous research that suggests Montmorency tart cherries – the most common varietal grown in the U.S. -- may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Image: Cherry Marketing Institute
LANSING, Mich. -- Montmorency tart cherries have long enjoyed a reputation for reducing inflammation -- including studies showing benefits for easing pain from arthritis and gout, and soothing sore muscles after exercise.  Now, a new study suggests tart cherry juice may help reduce the risk of inflammation associated with many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

Also read, Health Plus Desired Experience Key to Helping People Eat More Fruits and Veggies, New Research Finds.

The new study published in Food & Function found that 8 ounces of 100% tart cherry juice – equivalent to about 50 tart cherries – consumed daily for four weeks significantly reduced certain biomarkers of inflammation that are associated with chronic disease among overweight and obese adults.   

Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., and are often linked to underlying inflammation and oxidative stress. This study builds upon previous research that suggests Montmorency tart cherries – the most common varietal grown in the U.S. -- may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These beneficial effects are thought to be related to anthocyanins, the naturally-occurring plant pigments that give tart cherries their ruby-red color and sour-sweet taste and may be responsible for their health-promoting properties.

"Tart cherries are among the richest sources of anthocyanins, and our results found that these polyphenols were effectively digested and absorbed," said lead author Keith R. Martin, assistant professor at the Center for Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Research at the University of Memphis. "We also observed a positive effect of tart cherry juice on the specific markers of inflammation related to chronic disease, potentially linked to these beneficial compounds."

Research Methodology
Ten overweight and obese adults (eight females and two males) participated in a 10-week dietary intervention. While participants were generally healthy, they were identified as 'at-risk' of chronic disease based on a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above. They were also found to have elevated levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, indicating underlying inflammation from an unspecified source.

Participants were randomly assigned to drink either 8 ounces of 100% tart cherry juice or 8 ounces of a placebo (a generic fruit punch) every day for four weeks.  Following a two-week washout period, where they did not consume either beverage, participants switched to the alternative beverage for another four weeks. Beverages were matched for volume and color, and had similar carbohydrate and calorie content.

Before and after each four-week trial, researchers collected dietary records and physical activity questionnaires, measured participants' height, weight and body composition, and analyzed fasting blood samples for markers of inflammation including chemokines, cytokines, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). To determine the degree of anthocyanin absorption, researchers also collected additional blood samples from three subjects two hours after they drank their tart cherry juice, and analyzed those samples for the presence of anthocyanins.

Results
Post-consumption blood samples positively identified tart cherry juice anthocyanins in the blood, supporting their digestion, absorption and potential availability. The daily consumption of tart cherry juice decreased certain markers of inflammation in overweight and obese adults when compared to a fruit punch placebo. Specifically, tart cherry juice resulted in a 16% reduction in MCP-1, a pro-inflammatory chemokine associated with the development of heart disease, and a trend toward the reduction of TNF-alpha, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Several other inflammatory markers, including hsCRP and two types of cytokines known as IL-6 and IL-10, exhibited no between-group differences.

Researchers did discover a significant difference in ESR, a common indicator of chronic inflammation, however the majority of the difference was due to a placebo-induced increase. While ESR decreased by 6% after the tart cherry trial, it increased by 19% after the placebo.  As fructose has previously been linked to chronic inflammation, researchers theorize that this increase may be related to the nearly 15 grams of added sugar found in the placebo, present mainly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. Tart cherry juice also contains fructose, however it is naturally-occurring and present in just about half the amount.

Together, these results suggest daily consumption of tart cherry juice may reduce the risk of inflammation related to chronic disease, especially as an alternative to artificially-sweetened beverages. Montmorency tart cherries are the most common variety of tart cherries grown in the U.S., and are available year-round in dried, frozen, canned, juice and juice concentrate forms. Other varieties of tart cherries may be imported and not grown locally.

Source: Martin KR, Burrell L, Bopp J. Authentic tart cherry juice reduces markers of inflammation in overweight and obese subjects: a randomized, crossover pilot study. Food & Function.2018; 9:5290-5300.

SOURCE Cherry Marketing Institute
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Go to blog
    Advertisement

    RSS Feed

    News & Updates

    Stay informed with the latest news around foodservice, agriculture and other related food news.

    Do you Enjoy our E-news & Updates?
    Get our foodservice E-news, blogs and LTO's sent to your inbox, SUBSCRIBE HERE.

    Advertisement Opportunities 
    To get your foodservice business in our daily e-news, here.

    Archives

    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015

    Categories

    All
    Agriculture And Food Safety
    All Day Breakfast Menu
    Beans Benefits
    Beverage Company
    Building Construction
    Candy Company
    Carbonated Drinks
    Chicken Farm
    Dairy Production
    Fast Food
    Fast Food Chains
    Food Prices
    Generation Z
    Genetically Modified Organisms
    Gluten Free
    Grocery Retailer
    Healthy Meals For Kids
    Imported Foods
    Imported Foods From Other Countries
    Liquor Licence
    Milk Industry
    Milliennials
    National Food Holidays
    Nut Allergies
    Organic & Natural
    Processed Foods
    Produce Industry
    Restaurant
    Restaurant Management
    Restaurant Ordering System
    Restaurateurs
    Seafood
    Sustainable Resources
    Sweet Snacks
    Sweet Tasting Desserts
    Tree Nuts
    Value Menu Offering
    Ways To Reduce Food Waste

    Picture
    Advertisement
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.