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Written by: Malachy McHugh, Ph.D
About the Author: Malachy McHugh received his Ph.D in Exercise Physiology in 1999 from the University of Wales, Bangor. Since 1999, Dr. McHugh has been the Director of Research at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma (NISMAT) at Lenox Hill Hospital in New Your City. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, member of the Orthopedic Research Society and an adjunct professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at New York University.
The term “functional food” refers to an added benefit that goes beyond basic nutrition – examples might include fiber found in bran cereal and probiotics in yogurt. Now there is a growing body of literature demonstrating a strong anti-inflammatory effect from cherries. The first human study was completed in 1950 showing the effectiveness of eating cherries in the management of arthritis and gout. Since then, published animal studies have linked cherry consumption to anti-inflammatory, pain inhibiting, and anti-carcinogenic effects. Other recent human studies have confirmed that plasma urate levels were significantly reduced within 5 hours of eating 45 cherries, and that circulating inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Protein (CRP) were also significantly reduced after daily consumption of fresh cherries. Interestingly, elevations in CRP have been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of numerous diseases including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity.
The medicinal effects of cherries are attributed to the naturally occurring phyto-nutrients containing unique anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, the pertinent issues with cherries, as with all “functional foods” are (1.) how much to consume to get results and (2.) the practicality of consumption. Research has established that 45 cherries per day can reduce systemic markers of inflammation in healthy adults, but eating that quantity can be onerous and expensive, not to mention impossible for a seasonal fruit. Therefore, the challenge is to find a naturally potent solution that has not been broken down by the typically harsh food processing conditions in commercial food production. A company called CherryPharm appears to have solved the efficacy and convenience issues with their “not from concentrate” all-natural cherry juice based on an innovative juice extraction and pouring technique — each bottle contains the equivalent of 50 whole cherries and has over 13,000 ORAC units.
cheribundi was developed at Cornell University and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects have been demonstrated in several independent double blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies. Results from three separate in vivo trials include significant reductions in post exercise muscle damage (CK, AST), inflammation (CRP, IL6, uric acid), and oxidative stress (TBARS). These findings are impressive because no other product — all natural or otherwise — has ever been shown to have these combined effects. Additional in vivo studies showed cheribundi to increase Total Antioxidant Capacity, protect cells from oxidative stress, and even improve sleep in elderly patients with insomnia. cheribundi is the first food ever to show these kinds of clinical results making it a true “functional food.” But perhaps more importantly this all-natural juice may have even broader applications for the management and even prevention of other clinical pathologies that incur elevated inflammation and/or oxidative stress.
There remains a lot to learn about the medicinal effects of “functional foods” such as cherries but it is widely accepted that potential efficacy is enhanced when foods are consumed in their natural state as opposed to concentrated, encapsulated or powdered forms. And while many food, beverage, and supplement marketers enthusiastically tout the health benefits of their products, the general lack of clinical studies supporting these claims is alarming. This makes published, peer-reviewed, scientific reports on successful nutritional interventions such as cheribundi all the more important.