Cherries: Tart, but good for the heart

Tart cherries could benefit the heart Eating tart cherries could effectively reduce a person’s risk of developing heart disease, new research suggests.

A study by the University of Michigan – due to be presented at an upcoming meeting of the American Dietetic Association – found that diets high in cherry consumption could help reduce body weight and fat, while maintaining muscle.

The researchers fed two different diets to a group of rats over the course of 12 weeks. All of the animals consumed a typical Western diet, but some of them also received nutritional supplements in the form of whole tart cherry powder.

According to the findings, the mice that ate cherries had a lower percentage of body fat, a lower weight and also demonstrated reduced cholesterol levels.

"This research gives us one more support point suggesting that diet changes, such as including cherries, could potentially lower heart disease risk," commented study co-author Dr. Steven F. Bolling.

Previous research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggested that drinking cherry juice could help the body repair damaged muscles.
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