Tart cherries lower heart, diabetes risks

A study has revealed that tart cherries have significant health benefits in animal models when it comes to heart, diabetes and weight. According to a research team, the delicious bite-sized round fruit helps reduce belly fat and even lowers cardiovascular and diabetes risks. The discovery was made after researchers used rat models and fed them whole tart cherry powder in addition to a high-fat diet. The study group had "significantly" lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in comparison with the group that received no cherry powder. The study also revealed that the cherry-fed rats were also less likely to develop belly fat which in humans is linked to high cardiovascular risk. The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan and presented at the annual meeting of the American Dietetic Association. A pilot study is scheduled to be implemented by the University of Michigan using whole tart cherries in human models this spring. Cherries contain resin, tannin, gallic acid, lignin, calcium, potassium, iron, volatile oil and hydrocyanic acid and are considered to be one of the most powerful disease-fighting foods.