Cherries could reduce arthritis

Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is known to reduce the risk for several chronic inflammatory diseases. Research published in the Journal of Nutrition looked at the impact when men and women supplemented their diets with Bing sweet cherries for 28 days. The scientists measured markers in the blood before, during and after the study and found that some markers for several chronic inflammatory diseases were decreased and one anti-inflammatory marker increased.

The results imply that eating cherries potentially reduces inflammation, risk of arthritis, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Larger trials are needed to replicate the results in more people – and in those who have arthritis. The current study used healthy participants, so future research will measure clinical pathology end points. But the amount of positive outcomes associated with cherry consumption does suggest that they are a welcome addition to the shopping basket.