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View Full Version : Tart Cherries for diabetes and heart disease (SciNews)


Evermont
04-10-2008, 08:33 AM
Tart Cherries May Reduce Factors Associated With Heart Disease And Diabetes

ScienceDaily (Apr. 10, 2008) — Tart cherries -- frequently sold dried, frozen or in juice -- may have more than just good taste and bright red color going for them, according to new animal research from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center.

Rats that received whole tart cherry powder mixed into a high-fat diet didn't gain as much weight or build up as much body fat as rats that didn't receive cherries. And their blood showed much lower levels of molecules that indicate the kind of inflammation that has been linked to heart disease and diabetes. In addition, they had significantly lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides than the other rats.

The results, which were seen in both lean and obese rats that were bred to have a predisposition to obesity and insulin resistance, were presented Sunday at the Experimental Biology 2008 meeting in San Diego, CA by a team from the U-M Cardioprotection Research Laboratory.

In addition, the obese rats that received cherry powder were less likely to build up fat in their bellies -- another factor linked to cardiovascular disease. All the measures on which the two groups of animals differed are linked to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

... (link (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407114647.htm))

davef
04-10-2008, 08:48 AM
Sometimes I wish I was a rat, they always seem to get cured ;)

Seriously though, interesting article, thanks for posting it.

Evermont
04-11-2008, 09:57 AM
I happened to be at a local health food store yesterday. I bought 1/2 lb. of unsweetened dried tart cherries at $11.39 / lb. So far I found one place online selling them for $15/lb. another $7.75/lb. Maybe I can find 'em cheaper yet.

They say that there are 800 cherries in a pound of unsweetened, but only 400 cherries in the sweetened dried tart cherries. Is it just me or does that equal 1/2 lb of sugar in the sweetened ones?

Anyway, the unsweetened tart cherries taste just fine to me. Kinda tart. I can't imagine trail mix or granola bars without them!

pokie
04-11-2008, 10:50 PM
Yummm, I love dried cherries! It is hard to find the unsweetened version here but sometimes I see them. I like to make splenda brownies with tart cherries mixed in. Now I can call them "medicinal" LOL :D ...

ant hill
04-11-2008, 11:21 PM
You know that is were we miss the boat. Eat more friut as that may have properties that we are missing out on.

Keith, You are on the right way of thinking my friend. :)