At-A-Glance Tart Cherry Human Studies Using Concentrate Cherry Juice, Tart Cherry Capsules and Cherry Powder (Part 1):
Free radicals cause oxidative stress on the cells of the body. Concentrated Cherry Juice, tart cherry capsules and fresh tart cherries are a rich source of polyphenols, flavonoids and anti-oxidants. In addition, the presence of anthocyanins in concentrated cherry juice provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
The purpose of this page is to provide an At-A-Glance series of peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of concentrated cherry juice. In addition, we will also include study overviews of tart cherry powder, cherry capsules and the cherry powder.
To date, we have found over two dozen published studies on humans drinking concentrated cherry juice, taking cherry capsules and consuming tart cherry powder.
Read about the difference between tart and sweet cherries
Overview of Length of Studies on Concentrated Cherry Juice, Cherry Capsules and Cherry Powder
The majority of the studies conducted on humans were conducted within a 14-day period. However, other were only 5-hours and some even lasted over 90-days.
Overview of the Results of the Studies on Tart Cherry Pills, Cherry Juice Concentrate and Powdered Tart Cherry
66 percent of the studies used a placebo as a market and randomized. This approach helps to provide additional credibility to the anti-inflammatory benefits of Concentrated Cherry Juice and other cherry-based products. While many of the studies included multiple areas, here is an overview of the different studies and which areas they focused on:
- 8 out of 10 studies focused on the oxidative stress
- 11 out of 16 studies focused on the anti-inflammatory benefits
- 8 of 9 studies included the reduction of muscle soreness and strength-loss.
- 5 of 7 included concentrated cherry juice on blood pressure
- 5 of 5 focused on the benefits of cherry juice concentrate and arthritis
- 4 of 4 were conducted on the sleep benefits
Introduction:
Due to today’s active and hectic lifestyle, getting a daily serving of fruit and vegetables may be difficult. That is why many are looking for alternative ways to get the natural benefits for fruits, specifically cherries, to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle.
Tart cherries, including cherry juice concentrate, are low in calories, contain good amounts of polyphenols, nutrients and is naturally low in sugar. In addition, cherries are a source of naturally occurring melatonin and potassium and other powerful anti-oxidants.
Types of Cherries
There are two types of cherries. These are the tart (Prunus cerasus L.) and the sweet (Prunus avium L.). Most of the research conducted on the benefits of cherry juice concentrate, tart cherry powder and cherry capsules has been conducted on the Montmorency tart cherry. The tart cherry most commonly used in baked goods including cherry pie, muffins and cookies. In addition, for value-added products including cherry salsa, concentrated cherry juice, cherry capsules and more.
The sweet cherry is most commonly used for enjoying as a fresh fruit during the summer harvest. The reason the tart cherry is more often used for the production of baked products and value-added products, including cherry juice concentrate, is it naturally contains less sugar per serving and more anti-oxidant benefits than the sweet cherries.
Anthocyanins and Polyphenols in Cherries
In addition, the tart cherries are naturally higher in anthocyanins and overall polyphenols. The total phenolics Bing cherries were 134, 92, 333 mg/100 g. While the total amounts for the Montmorency tart cherries were 301, 157, and 558 mg/100 g. In addition, the total amount for overall anthocyanins benefits for each are the following: Tart cherries were 26.0, 10.4, and 60.6 mg/100 g . The corresponding values for the sweet cherries were 0.0, 0.8, and 36.5 mg/100 g.
Cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidine-3-rutinoside are found in both types of cherries. However, the cherries with the richest amounts of are the Montmorency cherries. When compared to the bing cherries, the anthocyanins in Montmorency tart cherries is approximately 50% of the total phenolics found in this cherry.
Compared to the sweet, anthocyanins make about 5% of overall polyphenols. The remain percentage are a mixture of the remaining flavonoids.
One of the greatest benefits of anthocyanins is they are rapidly absorbed into the body. The means they are bio-absorbable and reaching maximum plasma concentrations within 2 hours of consumption. In addition, the concentrated cherry juice remains in the body and in circulation 12.3% longer that less bio-absorbable foods.
Antioxidants in the Types of Cherries
The free radical fighting ability of cherries, both sweet and tart, have been rigorously tested and screened. The higher the free radical fighting ability of a food, the better the food is in assisting the body to defend against oxidative stress. The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) of the Montmorency tart cherry, including concentrate cherry juice, is higher than found in the sweet cherry varieties.
Check out just these great tasting cherry products made with Montmorency, Michigan cherries offered by Traverse Bay Farms:- Tart cherry juice concentrate - Helps ease arthritis and gout pain
- Dried tart cherries
- Fresh, Michigan-grown tart cherries – Available during the summer cherry harvest.
- No-added sugar dried cherries
- Cherry concentrate
- Cherry capsules
- Tart cherry powder
- Maraschino cherries
- Traverse Bay Farms Home Page
Make sure to check out our website to see all of the Montmorency, Michigan cherry products we offer. Learn how to buy 100% pure tart cherry juice.
Check out this great video on the Northern Michigan cherry harvest
So the next time you are looking to enjoy great taste combined with natural health benefits reach for some Michigan cherries or a glass of Montmorency tart cherry juice.
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