SAN DIEGO, April 6, 2008 /PRNewswire/- A new study shows tart cherries,one of today's hottest "Super Fruits," may help reduce inflammation,potentially lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease inanimals. The study was presented by University of Michigan researchers todayat the Experimental Biology annual meeting. As science continues to revealinflammation may be a marker for many chronic diseases, the researchers sayemerging studies like this are important in examining the role diet may playin disease management and prevention.
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At-risk rats with metabolic syndrome (obese, pre-diabetic) and lean,healthy rats were fed a cherry-enriched "Western Diet," characterized by highfat and moderate carbohydrate -- in line with the typical American diet.Cherry-enriched diets, which consisted of whole tart cherry powder as1 percent of the diet, reduced two known markers of inflammation by up to50 percent. TNF-alpha was reduced by 50 percent in the lean rats and40 percent in the at-risk rats and interleukin 6 (IL-6) was lowered by31 percent in the at-risk rats and 38 percent in the lean rats.
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While inflammation is a normal process the body uses to fight offinfection or injury, according to recent science, a chronic state ofinflammation could increase the risk for diseases.
"We're learning how important reducing inflammation is for our overallhealth and lowering the risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes -- two ofthe most critical health epidemics we have in this country today," said studyco-author Dr. Steven F. Bolling, a cardiac surgeon at the University ofMichigan Cardiovascular Center who also heads the U-M CardioprotectionResearch Laboratory, where the study was performed. "This study offersfurther promise that foods rich in antioxidants, such as cherries, couldpotentially reduce inflammation and lower disease risk."
Both lean and at-risk rats also experienced lower cholesterol andtriglyceride levels on the cherry-enriched diet, two other key risk factorsfor heart disease. The most at-risk animals also reduced their abdominal fatand total fat mass -- particularly important given the link between excessabdominal fat and disease.
Researchers say the animal study is encouraging and will lead to furtherclinical studies in humans to explore the link between diet, inflammation andlowering disease risk.
The Power of Eating Red
Tart cherries, frequently sold as dried, frozen or juice, contain powerfulantioxidants known as anthocyanins, which provide the bright, rich red color.Studies suggest these colorful plant compounds may be responsible forcherries' anti-inflammatory properties and other health benefits.
This new study is the latest linking this red hot "Super Fruit" toprotection against heart disease and inflammation. In fact, research suggeststhe red compounds in cherries that deliver the anti-inflammatory benefits mayalso help ease the pain of arthritis and gout. There have been more than 65published studies on the potential health benefits which can be found in theCherry Nutrition Report posted on http://www.choosecherries.com.
The study was funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute, which provided anunrestricted grant to the University of Michigan to conduct the research andwas not directly involved in the design, conduct or analysis of the project.For more information visit http://www.choosecherries.com.
Source: Tart Cherry-Enriched Diets Reduce Abdominal Obesity andInflammation in Zucker Fatty Rats. Experimental Biology 2008 702.7, SeymourEM, Urcuyo-Llanes D, Lewis SK, Kirakosyan A, Kaufman PB, Bennink MR, BollingSF. Presented in minisymposium 702.7, Dietary Bioactive Compounds III:Chronic Disease Risk Reduction
SOURCE The Cherry Marketing Institute
