Montmorency Tart Cherry is made from the fruit of the Prunus cerasus tree, native to Europe and southwest Asia but grown in the United States. Montmorency Tart Cherries have been widely studied, with 10 science-based health benefits:
A natural source of Melatonin in slightly higher amounts than human blood, and a good amount of tryptophan and anthocyanins, all compounds that help the body create melatonin and lengthen its effects. Melatonin also stimulates brain Glutathione, the most powerful and important master antioxidant of the body.
May reduce certain blood markers of inflammation in women with osteoarthritis.
Studies have also focused on the inhibitory effects on gout, a type of arthritis accompanied by repeated attacks of swelling and intense pain.
May promote brain health by lowering oxidative stress on the brain. Adults in two studies experienced improvement in verbal fluency, short-term and long-term memory.
Montmorency Tart cherries are rich in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds to help boost the immune system.
May reduce blood pressure in modest amounts.
May help reduce peripheral neuropathy pain issues, caused by nerve damage.
A rich source of antioxidants, free radical scavengers with one of the highest ORAC values (measure for the levels of antioxidants in food).
Try our SLEEP made with Montmorency Tart Cherries.
MONTMORENCY TART CHERRIES AND MELATONIN
Montmorency tart cherries are a naturally high source of melatonin. Dr. Russel Reiter, head of the research team at the University of Texas, has been studying melatonin for more than 30 years. Dr. Reiter stated, “Tart cherries, specifically
the Montmorency variety, contain an extremely significant quantity of melatonin, enough to produce positive results in the body”. Although synthetic melatonin is available as a supplement, Dr. Reiter and other health experts extol the benefits
of consuming natural melatonin through food consumption. Melatonin has been shown to assist in restoring natural sleep patterns, but there is evidence that the dose of melatonin in many standard supplements is too high, and should not exceed
0.1mg to 0.5mg. The body typically secretes between 5 and 25 micrograms (mcg) of melatonin nightly – therefore 2 milligrams (mg) of melatonin is 80 times greater than what the body needs. In high doses, tolerance can occur as the melatonin
receptors become less responsive. Tart cherries contain 13.5 nanograms (ng) of melatonin per gram of cherries, slightly more than is normally found in human blood.
Unlike synthetic melatonin, Montmorency Tart Cherries will not interact with medications. Too much melatonin not only disturbs sleep but also causes headaches, nausea, dizziness or irritability. Synthetic melatonin can be hundreds of times
more than what the body requires to sleep. The natural melatonin found in Tart Cherries is unique in its profile and is free of undesirable side effects or interaction concerns.
Our SLEEP, is made from Montmorency Tart Cherries. Try them today!
MONTMORENCY TART CHERRIES AND ANTIOXIDANTS
Free radicals are created by environmental toxins, drugs, alcohol, or as the by-product of digestion. They steal electrons from the molecules in our healthy cells and in turn create weak and unhealthy cells. Therefore, neutralizing free radicals is essential to good health. Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds, trying to capture an electron they require to gain stability. Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule and steal its electron. When the attacked molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical, beginning a chain reaction that can result in the disruption of a living cell. Some free radicals are formed during normal metabolism and at other times, the body’s immune system creates free radicals to neutralize viruses and bacteria. Normally, the body is equipped to handle free radicals, but if the production becomes excessive, damage to the cells can occur.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by surrendering one of their own electrons, ending the reaction. But the antioxidant nutrients don’t become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form. Instead they act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease.
The use of oxygen in the body produces free radicals. However, the brain is particularly susceptible to free radicals, since it accounts for approximately 20% of the oxygen consumption of the body but is only 2% of the body weight. Therefore, the brain needs ample supplies of antioxidants to remain healthy.
Tart cherries have strong antioxidant activity and are naturally high in vitamin A, C, B6, E, folic acid, thiamin, beta carotene, fiber, phosphorous, potassium, iron and magnesium, and have virtually no fat or sodium. But the surprising quality of tart cherries came from Dr. Russel Reiter, a preeminent scientist and the Dean of Melatonin Research at the University of Texas, when he discovered Montmorency cherry concentrate contained significant amounts of melatonin. Melatonin is soluble both in fat and water and can enter some cells that vitamins cannot. For example, vitamin E is soluble in the lipid (fat) part of the cell only and vitamin C in the water part. But melatonin is soluble in both. For this reason, Dr. Reiter says, eating cherries with high melatonin concentrations will increase the antioxidant capacity in the body. He also extols the benefits of consuming natural melatonin through foods to obtain the beneficial antioxidant compounds.
Researchers at Brunswick Labs discovered that tart cherries contain a class of compounds called super oxide dismutase (SOD) that acts as potent scavengers of dangerous free radicals. Very few natural foods contain SOD and the human body is often lacking in them.
Tart Cherries are also an important source of phytonutrients, which was derived from the Greek word "phyton" for "plant". It means a "nutrient from a plant" that promotes good health.
Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigment that provides the deep, rich color to tart cherries and belong to a group of compounds called flavonoids. Epidemiological evidence suggests that the higher the amounts of flavonoids in the diet, the lower the risk for heart disease. And among the flavonoids found in plant foods, anthocyanins possess the greatest antioxidant power.
Our SLEEP, is made from Montmorency Tart Cherries. Try them today!
REFERENCES:
Melatonin stimulates brain glutathione peroxidase activity.
A Review of the Health Benefits of Cherries
Effect of Montmorency tart cherry juice on cognitive performance in older adults: a randomized controlled trial
Is there a role for cherries in the management of gout?
Tart cherry juice may juice up the brain and improve cognitive function
Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L) Anthocyanins as Ingredients for Functional Foods
Pharmacokinetic study of the absorption and metabolism of Montmorency tart cherry anthocyanins in human subjects
Tart Cherries May Reduce Factors Associated With Heart Disease And Diabetes
Tart Cherry Juice Reduces Muscle Pain and Inflammation
Cherry juice for sleep
Study: Tart cherries may lower cardiovascular, diabetes risks
Tart Cherry Juice May Be A Natural Solution For Insomnia
What are the benefits of cherry juice?
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