NEW ORLEANS, Apr 20, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Eating one and a half servings of
tart cherries could significantly boost anti-oxidant activity, U.S. researchers
said.
University of Michigan researchers said 12 healthy adults ages 18-25 were
randomly assigned to eat either one-and-a-half cups or three cups of frozen tart
cherries.
Researchers analyzed participants' blood and urine at regular intervals after
they ate the cherries and found increased anti-oxidant activity for up to 12
hours after eating cherries.
Principal investigator Dr. Sara L. Warber, co-director of University of Michigan
Integrative Medicine, said the study documents that the anti-oxidants in tart
cherries make it into the human bloodstream and are coupled with increased
anti-oxidant activity that could have a positive impact.
"More research is needed, what's really great is that a reasonable amount of
cherries could potentially deliver benefits, like reducing risk factors for
heart disease and inflammation," Warber said in a statement.
The findings are being presented at the 2009 Experimental Biology meeting in New
Orleans.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International