Future Nutrition range © Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011  0845 094 3627 What makes Montmorency cherries a “must try”? What are they? Montmorency cherries are a variety of sour cherries ("Prunus cerasus"). They are part of the lighter-red amarelle cultivar of sour cherries, rather than the darker-red Morello cultivar and are mainly grown in the United States (over 70%), but can also be found in Canada and France. Although they are not a new variety of cherry (indeed, they are have traditionally most often been used as a cooking ingredient), since the early 21st century, Montmorency cherries have been widely promoted as a highly nutritious food. In fact, as a result of their numerous purported health benefits, they are now generally acknowledged as a "superfruit", i.e. a nutrient-rich fruit containing natural compounds absent in the vast majority of other fruits, which are thought to have potential disease-fighting and health promoting properties. What are some of the purported health benefits of Montmorency cherries? For centuries, the cherry (either as bark, root or fruit), has been a source of medicinal remedies for indigenous peoples. Native Americans, for example, used cherries as pain relievers - the Cherokees used an infusion of sour cherry bark to treat laryngitis; the Ojibwa used the crushed root for stomach pain. Research Everyone already knows that cherries have a great taste, but the body of research in support of the amazing health benefits of cherries continues to increase through ongoing research. Such research suggests that because of, for example, its concentrated levels of antioxidants (such as melatonin) and nutrients (such as beta carotene), the Montmorency cherry may have a variety of noteworthy health-related applications. Antioxidants Montmorency cherries are rich in antioxidants, which tackle free radicals in the body and may help to prevent disease, as well as slow the ageing process. The latest research shows that Montmorency cherries have high ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) values. In particular, they are one of the few natural food sources of: • the potent antioxidant, melatonin, which is thought to help maintain the body's circadian rhythms and improve sleep cycles; and • the class of compounds, Super Oxide Dismutase (SODs), which act as super scavengers of dangerous free radicals, destroying them throughout the body. The human body tends to be deficient in SODs.    Anti-inflammatory agents Montmorency cherries contain many phytonutrients, including anthocyanins (natural colourants) and other phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Anthocyanins have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which may help maintain healthy joint function, mobility and flexibility, reduce inflammation and ease the pain of arthritis. They are also thought to lower urate levels in the body and have therefore been used by traditional healers as a remedy for gout. Other potential health benefits Some other purported health benefits associated with Montmorency cherries are as follows: Montmorency cherry fact #1 You would have to eat more than 20 average portions of other fruit and vegetables to get the same amount of antioxidants as you get in one portion of Montmorency cherries! They are thought to support healthy cardiovascular function. They may offer protection against heart disease. They may reduce the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome. They may aid in the treatment and possible prevention of memory loss. They are low in sugar, sodium and calories. They are an excellent source of beta carotene (vitamin A), e.g. they contain 19x the beta carotene of blueberries and strawberries. They are rich in vitamins C and E, and a good source of potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fibre. Montmorency cherry fact #2 Researchers from the School of Life Sciences at Northumbria University  have found that Montmorency cherry juice significantly increases the levels of melatonin in the body, the hormone which regulates sleep. Their findings could benefit those who have difficulty sleeping due to insomnia, shift work or jet lag.   [Home] [Benefits of Juicing] [Future Nutrition] [Superfoods] [Protein Powders] [Meal Replacement Powders] [Other Products] [Health Information] [Quinoa] [Contact] [Sitemap] [Colon Cleansing] [Health Blog] [Health Information] [Organic Supplements] [Slimming Information] [Slimming and Nutrition] [Organic Food Supplements] [Diet Info] [Beetroot Capsules] [Montmorency Cherry Capsules] [Health Product Links] [Health Articles] [Own Brand Supplements] [Trade supplements] [Wholesale Vitamins and Minerals] [Own Label Products] [Practitioner Supplements] [Digestion Health] [Diet Foods]