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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.
References
(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. |
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