Drinking Cherry Juice Could Save Your Life

Drinking cherry juice can lower systolic blood pressure for up to three hours, our latest study found. If tart Montmorency cherry concentrate were a drug, it would probably get FDA approval.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the biggest killer globally.

In Europe, CVD is the leading cause of death in adults and is responsible for nearly half (48 per cent) of all deaths. And in the U.S., 25 percent of deaths are attributed to CVD—that’s about 610,000 premature deaths each year. Raised blood pressure is the most significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.  Even small blood pressure reductions can substantially impact mortality rates.

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers.

Systolic blood pressure (the top number) measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts, and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).

Normal blood pressure is considered 120/80mmHg or below. Anything between 120-140 (systolic) and 80-90mmHg (diastolic) is known as pre-hypertensive, and anything higher than these values is classified as hypertension.

The further along this chain you are, the more likely you are to experience heart disease. Hypertension usually clusters with other cardiovascular risk factors such as ageing, overweight, insulin resistance, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood).

In recent years Northumbria University has undertaken several studies into the health benefits of tart Montmorency cherry concentrate. We have found that drinking the concentrate improves the quality and quantity of sleep. It also reduces gout symptoms.

In this study, we examined the acute effects of the consumption of Montmorency tart cherries on arterial stiffness, blood pressure and dilation of small blood vessels in men with early hypertension. Sixteen non-smoking men with early hypertension (with a systolic blood pressure of 130mmHg or above and diastolic blood pressure of 80mmHg or above—or both) took part in the study. At the start of the study, the participants provided a blood sample, and we assessed their general cardiovascular health.

Each participant received either Montmorency tart cherry concentrate, diluted with water, or a placebo (fruit cordial). We took blood samples and assessed cardiovascular function one, two, three, five and eight hours after drinking the juice. Blood pressure was taken hourly. No food or drink was provided during the study period except for mineral water. Each person returned to the lab two weeks after the first visit to repeat the test with the other intervention drink.

Cherry Juice Could Save Lives

As far as we know, this is the first study to show that systolic blood pressure can be lowered by drinking cherry juice. Previous studies have demonstrated that cocoa, beetroot, and grape extract can positively affect blood pressure.

Our study is particularly noteworthy because data from observational studies have shown that lowering average (mean) systolic blood pressure by 5-6mmHg over five years is associated with a 38 per cent reduced risk of stroke and a 23 percent reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

Compared with the placebo, we found that cherry juice concentrates reduced peak blood pressure by 7mmHG. The blood pressure lowering effects of cherry juice is comparable to those achieved by some antihypertensive drugs.  These include beta-blockers and diuretics in people with mild hypertension. Our findings suggest that Montmorency cherries could be used alongside standard treatment to manage hypertension.

We found that the most remarkable improvements in systolic blood pressure occurred in people with the highest blood concentrations of some of the phenolic compounds in Montmorency cherries. Although long ignored, phenolic compounds are found in many plants and are now attracting widespread attention. Unlike the “traditional” nutrients, they don’t seem essential for short-term well-being.  But there is increasing evidence that long-term intakes may reduce the incidence of some cancers and many chronic diseases, including CVD. We attribute much of the previously established health benefits of Montmorency cherry juice to these plant compounds.

The good news is that we have finally found a new Supplier, and if you are still interested in purchasing Incredible Cherry Juice – please email us info@blog.liferetreat.co.za, and I will send you all of the details.

Stay warm and well

Regards
Trish

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