Sweet cherries ripe with potential health benefits

AN apple a day may keep the doctor away but cherries are emerging as the next fruit with medicinal qualities, according to one Tasmanian researcher.

Cherries ripe with potential health benefits

AN apple a day may keep the doctor away but cherries are emerging as the next fruit with medicinal qualities, according to one Tasmanian researcher.

Clinical trials will start soon at the University of Tasmania to determine whether certain types of cherries contain high levels of bioactive compounds which can help inflammation and the consequences of inflammatory disease.

Led by Melanie Blackhall from the university’s Faculty of Health, the trials are backed by cherry producer Reid Fruits and natural extracts producer Essential Oils Tasmania.

“Anecdotal evidence suggests that consumption of cherries can alleviate issues relating to inflammation, such as gout,” Ms Blackhall said.

“However, limited hard scientific evidence exists — particularly in relation to sweet cherries.”

In preliminary work, Ms Blackhall and her team found that certain types of cherries contain high levels of bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins.

Ms Blackhall said their extraction from the fruit had been optimised to develop a concentrate rich in anthocyanins.

This work had led to the current trials, which were investigating the effect of the extract on the prevention and treatment of obesity-associated inflammation.

“Inflammation and the consequences of inflammatory disease are a major health issue for Australia and other Western countries,” Ms Blackhall said.

“Obesity, cardiovascular disease and respiratory diseases all increase inflammation in the body.

“As such, markers or indicators of inflammation have become one of the major predictors in the development and progression of disease.

“As lifestyle diseases become more prevalent, there is growing evidence and support for functional foods — whereby the food provides demonstrated benefit in reducing the risk of chronic disease.”