A Bowl Of Cherries

[Guest guest]

A Bowl Of Cherries

Here's good news for diabetics. A new study from Michigan State University

reports that plant pigments in cherries may help fight diabetes. In laboratory

tests, these chemicals, known as anthocyanins, dramatically increased

insulin production in animal cells. Researchers hope to translate this discovery

into new diabetes treatments.

The results of the study appeared in the January 5, 2005, issue of the

American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Rich Colors Mean Rich Health Benefits

To learn more, I contacted lead researcher Muralee G. Nair, PhD, a professor

at the National Food Safety & Toxicology Center at Michigan State. He told

me that anthocyanins are the chemicals that give deep, rich colors to

blueberries, strawberries and red grapes, as well as to cherries. Both

sweet and sour

red cherries are good sources of these compounds. (Anthocyanins do not occur

in yellow cherries.)

In the body, the pancreas produces insulin to help regulate blood sugar

(glucose) levels. When it fails to produce insulin or produces inadequate levels

of insulin, diabetes can result. In Dr. Nair's study, pancreatic cells of mice

that were exposed to anthocyanins extracted from cherries were associated

with a 50% increase in insulin production, in comparison with cells that were

not. The exact mechanism by which these chemicals raise insulin production

remains unknown.

According to Dr. Nair, there are even more health benefits to anthocyanins.

In previous research, he identified anti-inflammatory properties that may

prove useful in treating arthritis, and other studies have noted that

anthocyanins are potent antioxidants that show promise in reducing

the risk for illness,

including cardiovascular disease and colon cancer.

Looking Toward the Future

Although the laboratory results are promising, Dr. Nair notes that more

studies are necessary in both animals and humans. To learn more, his team is

currently studying the effect of anthocyanins on obese diabetic mice.

Dr. Nair speculates that one day in the not-too-distant future, anthocyanins

might be incorporated into new medicines or specialty juices that people

could take to prevent type 2 diabetes or to control glucose levels if they

already have the disease. Until that time, make fresh cherries part

of your healthy

diet. And, for variety, have some blueberries and red grapes --it's all

good.

Be well,

 

Carole Jackson

Bottom Line's Daily Health News

 

 

--

Diana Gonzalez

 

 

 

 

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