What happens when you feed powdered Michigan cherries to a group of laboratory rats? After three months, the rats who had tart cherry powder added to their diets had lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels and overall less risk of heart disease than rats that didn't have cherries. According to a University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) press release, UMHS researchers conducted the study to test the antioxidant properties of cherries in preventing diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. The results were presented to fellow colleagues on April 30th, 2007 at the Experimental Biology 2007 meeting in Washington, D.C.
Does this mean that people who eat cherries will have the same healthy results as cherry-eating lab animals? Right now the results are only conclusive with the University of Michigan rats, but cherries have long been regarded for their health benefits in people too. Cherries are rich in anthocyanins; antioxidants which are responsible for giving red, purple and blue fruits and vegetables their vivid colors.
According to a study which appeared in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Sept. 1999,
"Anthocyanins are the water-soluble pigments responsible for the red, pink, mauve, purple, blue, and violet hues of many types of flowers and fruit. Hawthorn and juniper berries and rose hips are examples of herbs that contain anthocyanins. Because anthocyanins are effective in inhibiting LDL-cholesterol oxidation and platelet aggregation, these herbs may provide some protection against heart disease. Anthocyanins may also be useful for the treatment of vascular disorders and capillary fragility."
It doesn't hurt to increase our consumption of colorful fruits and vegetables, for the benefit of our overall health. So, enjoy that bowl of cherries... or blueberries... or raspberries... or any color that catches your fancy.
Other recent studies of interest...
- Can Cinnamon Help Lower Blood Glucose and Cholesterol?
- Is Benfotiamine Effective for Treating Diabetic Complications?
- New Research Gives Hope For Diabetes Cure
Photo by Ana Schaeffer
Thank you for keeping an update on your journey. I feel encouraged. I hope you continue to post about health improving diets journey.Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”. It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Paying attention to what you eat and choosing foods that are both nourishing and enjoyable helps support an overall healthy diet.A vegetarian “ape-diet”, based on the foods, is as effective in lowering cholesterol as an established cholesterol-lowering drug.High cholesterol levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.But the cost of the ape-diet will depend on people’s individual tastes. It might seem dear to those who like fast food.Of course you need to eat a balanced healthy diet consisting of 7-8 servings of fruits and vegetables