HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHERRIES  (Functional Properties)

Extraordinary health benefits have long been claimed for cherries, ranging from anti- inflammatory properties to cancer prevention. Modern science is now examining these claims and in many cases confirming and quantifying their veracity. 

The following properties of cherries have now been established scientifically:

Potent Anti-oxidant Activity

Cherries have been shown to be rich in powerful natural phenolic anti-oxidants, including well known anti-oxidants anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids.

Such powerful anti-oxidants are widely considered to be effective in helping to prevent cancer, heart disease and strokes by de-activating free radicals which are formed during naturally occurring metabolism by human cells.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities

Cherry phenolic antioxidants, in particular anthocyanins have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, believed to be capable of treating pain from, and possibly preventing, arthritis, gout and similar conditions; also decreasing symptoms of excercise-induced muscle damage.

Tests at Michigan State University have indicated that cherry anthocyanins can be at least 10 times more active than aspirin and have comparable activity to ibuprofen without the adverse side effects of these commercial analgesics.

Anti-tumour Activity

Cherries have been shown to contain compounds reported to have anti-tumour activity: Ellagic Acid, a phenolic compound, and Perillyl Alcohol, a monoterpene with powerful anti-oxidant activity.

Blood Cholesterol Reducing Activity

Cherries contain beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol, high levels of which are believed to be linked to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Sleep Enhancing Activity

Cherries have been shown to contain melatonin, known for its potential as a sleep enhancer, and  which also has high anti-oxidant activity.

Anti-Diabetic Activity

Recent laboratory research (2005) at Michigan State University has shown that cherry anthocyanins can increase insulin production in pancreatic cells by up to 100%, indicating that cherries could be effective in diabetic treatment.