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Dark cherry research discovers sweet surprise

New research finds sweet cherries can help reduce weight gain.

New research has found the bioactive compound anthocyanin, found in high concentrates in sweet cherries, can help reduce weight gain.

Melanie Blackhall from the University of Tasmania’s Faculty of Health conducted clinical trials to determine the efficacy of sweet cherry anthocyanins as a treatment and preventative therapy in high-fat diets.

“There is emerging evidence on the benefits of sweet cherry anthocyanins,” she said.

“The majority of work carried out on anthocyanins has been in other fruits, and in tart cherry varieties, but not in sweet cherries.

“Dark, sweet cherries are extremely high in anthocyanin.

“There is growing evidence that anthocyanins have a positive impact on many diseases but only limited research on their potential anti-obesity actions has been conducted.

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, so we wanted to examine the effect of anthocyanin on a high-fat diet.

Industry partners Reid Fruits and Essential Oils of Tasmania supported the research, which enabled Ms Blackhall to develop a methodology to extract anthocyanins.

Trials were carried out with mice being fed a high-fat diet and split into two trial groups – a six-week prevention trial and a 10-week reversal trial.

Anthocyanin was included at the start of the prevention trial, and at the end of week six in the reversal trial.

Results showed mice in the prevention trial gained 19 per cent less weight with six weeks of supplementation of anthocyanin.

“The study also found that anthocyanin can help reduce inflammation,” Ms Blackhall said.

Ms Blackhall said they were now aiming to carry out further research in human trials.

“Obesity is a global health concern where people take a range of drug regimens, and we would hope that anthocyanin could be included as part of treatment,” she said.

We are also wanting to help consumers make the right choices about what they are consuming to prevent weight gain.

Reid Fruits Managing Director Tim Reid said collaborating with the University’s Faculty of Health had helped to provide practical outcomes for the industry.

“We have always known cherries have special health benefits, and the research reaffirms this belief and allows our company to explore new opportunities,” he said.

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