Super Foods: the Health Benefits of Cherry Juice

There are a lot of superfoods out there, but one – cherry juice – is now being touted as the ultimate antioxidant. Cherries are not only a tasty ingredient in pies and jams, but they are very nutritious, as well. Cherries contain many healthful components that are known to reduce blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and even inhibit the growth of tumors. As is the case with many fruits, juicing cherries delivers a concentrated dose of powerful nutrients.

The Power Source of Cherries

Cherries contain anthocyanins – a class of powerful antioxidants found in dark red or purple fruits. This ingredient, along with many other powerful compounds, are responsible for preventing, improving, or treating a variety of illnesses.

Top 5 Benefits

Ongoing research confirms that cherry juice is beneficial for a number of conditions. Here are the top 5:

• Colon cancer. Researchers at Michigan State University have isolated certain compounds in tart cherry juice that may reduce the incidence of colon cancer. Other compounds are being studied for their ability to inhibit the growth of existing tumors.

• Heart disease. Research findings at the University of Pennsylvania have determined that it’s the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors contained in cherry juice blocks the enzymes responsible for clogging arteries, effectively reducing the risk for heart disease.

• Arthritis. Johns Hopkins University concluded a study that confirms that the powerful anti-inflammatory properties contained in cherry juice is a viable treatment for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

• Pain relief. Oregon Health and Science University scientists investigated the pain relieving properties of cherry juice on runners. After running a race, the cherry drinkers experienced significantly less muscle pain than participants who drank a placebo.

• Sleep aid. A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that people who drank cherry juice slept longer and better than those who did not. This benefit is probably due to the high concentration of melatonin contained in cherries. Drink about half an hour before bedtime for best results.

Since an ounce of cherry juice is the equivalent of eating about 50 cherries, it might make more sense to invest in the concentrate instead of juicing them yourself. In the U.S., most of the cherries are harvested in July from Michigan, Oregon, and Washington State. Although the fruit is only available for a short time, the concentrate can be purchased year-round at grocery stores or health food stores.

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