A number of research universities and medical schools continue to research and publish more healthy evidence of the tart cherry.

Tart Cherries - Synergistic Compounds for Maintaining Healthy Joint Function*

Ongoing research suggests the synergistic compounds in the tart cherry help to maintain healthy joint function. A number of naturally occuring antioxidants and compounds including potassium, anthocyanins, melatonin and more are naturally found in this Michigan-grown red fruit. While all of the these compounds have amazing health benefits, research suggests the healthy joint benefits of the tart cherry is not soley due to one single compound, but how the compounds in the tart cherry work together with each other. This means, the whole fruit approach to joint health may offer the best approach to why the tart cherry is the first choice for natural remedies for maintaining healthy joint function.

Melatonin Identified in Cherries

The University of Texas Health Science Center has identified and began to quantify the activity of presence of melatonin in cherries and cherry products. Melatonin is an antioxidant that shows it can be an excellent way to help maintain the body's circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns.

Dr. Russel Reiter and Dr. Dun-xian Tan from the University of Texas Health Science Center has used radioimmunoassay (RIA) and high performance liquid chromatography to identify substantial levels of melatonin in tart cherry juice concentrate. According the Dr. Reiter, the amount found in cherry juice concentrate "is extremely significant." Melatonin is naturally found in the body in extremely small quantities and slight increases in melatonin levels can produce very positive results.

A published 2012 study in the journal Annals of Neurology suggested that blueberry consumption may help maintain healthy brain function*. The research team used data from the Nurses’ Health Study. This contains the answers to completed health and lifestyle questionnaires completed by over 121,000 registered nurses ranging in ages of 30 to 55 beginning in 1976. Since 1980, participants of the Nurses’ Health Study began to be surveyed every four years regarding their frequency of food consumption. Between the years of 1995 to 2001, brain and cognitive function was measured and recorded in over 16,000 participants with the average age of 74.

The findings have shown that an increase consumption of berries, including blueberries showed to help maintain healthy brain function*. The researchers also recorded that the participants who enjoyed higher berry intake enjoyed the benefit of maintaining healthy brain function*. However, the researchers also noted the possibly that healthy brain function may also be influenced by other healthy lifestyle choices, too. This includes an exercise routine.

"We provide the first epidemiologic evidence that berries may” [help maintain healthy brain function*] notes Dr. Devore. "Our findings have significant public health implications as increasing berry intake is a fairly simple dietary modification"…[sic]

Pomegranate juice protects nitric oxide against oxidative destruction and enhances the biological actions of nitric oxide.

Research Information: Nitric Oxide – Published in 2006 Apr 18: By Byrnes RE, Ignarro LJ, Sumi D, Napoli C, de Nigris F.: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.

Pomegranate juice is a source of flavonoids and naturally occurring antioxidants. During this research study, pomegranate juice was tested for its capacity for oxidative stress. Pomegranate juice was found to be a potent to help the body fight oxidative stress. According to the published results, pomegranate juice was much more potent than Concord grape juice, red wine, blueberry juice, ascorbic acid, and dl-alpha-tocopherol. These observations indicate pomegranate juice possesses potent antioxidant activity that results in marked protection of nitric oxide against oxidative destruction.

The pomegranate and healthy cholesterol levels* and a healthy cardiovascular system*
Preliminary research suggests that drinking concentrated pomegranate juice may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The pomegranate is the size of an orange and is round in shape. The tough, reddish-pink rind protects and holds hundreds of seeds.

These seeds are carefully suspended in the juicy, red pulp of the inner fruit. The pomegranate juice is extracted from these tiny seeds. The pomegranate, like many fruits contain antioxidants, anthocyanins and polyphenols. However, the antioxidant levels in the pomegranate juice stands higher than other fruit juices. Antioxidants help the body to neutralize free-radicals. With the unique make up of the pomegranate, Mother Nature has provided us with a simple fruit to support healthy cholesterol levels and promote heart health.

Fugiat dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, mauris sit condim eser ntumsi nibh, uum a justo vitaes amet risus amets un. Posi sectetut amet fermntum orem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia nons.