Introduction: The Tart Cherry....................................................................................................................... 6
The Natural Health Benefits of the Tart Cherry............................................................................................ 7
Nutritional Information on Select Tart Cherry Products............................................................................... 8
Selected Nutrients in Tart Cherries Compared to Other Fruits..................................................................... 9
What is an Antioxidant?.............................................................................................................................. 10
What are Anthocyanins? ............................................................................................................................. 11
Tart Cherries Offer a Number of Antioxidant Compounds ........................................................................ 11
Quantity of Melatonin Identified in Cherries.............................................................................................. 12
Cherries: The Healthy Fruit ........................................................................................................................ 13
Cherries and a Healthy Cardiovascular System* ........................................................................................ 14
Melatonin Levels in Different Tart Cherry Products: ................................................................................. 16
What is Melatonin? ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Tart Cherries May Help to Soothe Muscle Soreness to Physical Exercise*............................................... 17
Ten Ways to Incorporate Tart Cherries into Your Daily Route.................................................................. 18
Tart Cherry Supplements and Tart Cherry Products................................................................................... 20
Delicious Cherry Recipes ........................................................................................................................... 23
Sensational Stuffed Mushrooms ............................................................................................................. 23
Cherry Salsa ............................................................................................................................................ 24
Cherry Delicious Couscous Salad........................................................................................................... 25
Cherry Chewbilees.................................................................................................................................. 26
Cherry Tiramisu ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Cherry Almond Clusters ......................................................................................................................... 29
National Cherry Month Recipes ................................................................................................................. 30
Traditional Cherry Pie................................................................................................................................. 30 Cherry Blossoms..................................................................................................................................... 31
Cherry-Chocolate Heart .......................................................................................................................... 32
Sweetheart Puff....................................................................................................................................... 33
Black Forest Upside-Down Sundae ........................................................................................................ 34
Chocolate Angel Cake ............................................................................................................................ 35
Maraschino Cherry Recipes ........................................................................................................................ 36
Cherry Flyers .......................................................................................................................................... 36
Maraschino Thumbprint Cookies............................................................................................................ 37
Frozen Fruit Salad................................................................................................................................... 38
Banana Split French Toast ...................................................................................................................... 39
Cherry-rific Shake................................................................................................................................... 40
Caramel-Cherry Sticky Buns .................................................................................................................. 41
Cherry S'more Brownies ......................................................................................................................... 42
Low-Fat Cherry Recipes ............................................................................................................................. 43
Cherry Oatmeal Muffins ......................................................................................................................... 43
Cherry Rice Pilaf..................................................................................................................................... 44
Cherry Dream.......................................................................................................................................... 45
Cherry Good Cobbler.............................................................................................................................. 46
Maple Cherry Sauce................................................................................................................................ 47
Dried Cherry Relish ................................................................................................................................ 48
Low-Fat Cherry Smoothie ...................................................................................................................... 49
Power Bars .............................................................................................................................................. 50
Kid Recipes................................................................................................................................................. 51
Cherry S'mores........................................................................................................................................ 51
Dessert To Go ......................................................................................................................................... 52 Critter Munch.......................................................................................................................................... 53
Pretty in Pink Pie .................................................................................................................................... 54
Maraschino Cherry Shake....................................................................................................................... 55
Kid's Cherry Smoothie............................................................................................................................ 56
Maraschino Lemonade Pops ................................................................................................................... 57
Cherry Mallow Cake............................................................................................................................... 58
Dried Cherry Recipes.................................................................................................................................. 59
Spiced Cherry Salad................................................................................................................................ 59
Carrots with Character ............................................................................................................................ 60
Oatmeal Cherry Cookies......................................................................................................................... 61
Acorn Squash Bake................................................................................................................................. 62
Brie Torte ................................................................................................................................................ 63
Firecracker Salsa..................................................................................................................................... 64
Cherry Orange Poppy Seed Muffins....................................................................................................... 65
Holiday Recipes .......................................................................................................................................... 66
Cherry Spiced Cider................................................................................................................................ 66
Dried Cherry Relish for Turkey .............................................................................................................. 67
Cherry Cinnamon Rolls .......................................................................................................................... 68
Christmas Bread...................................................................................................................................... 69
Double Cherry Pie................................................................................................................................... 70
Ho Ho Surprises...................................................................................................................................... 71
Ribbon of Cherry Cheesecake................................................................................................................. 72
Danish Butter Cookies ............................................................................................................................ 73
Cherry Cheese Brownies......................................................................................................................... 74
Cherry Blossoms..................................................................................................................................... 75
Disclaimer: The information in this tart cherry report is provided to you for informational purposes only. It is NOT meant to be a substitute for medical or other advice provided by your doctor or medical professional. This report is NOT intended to be used as a medical source. This report is NOT intended to be used for diagnosing or treating a problem or disease.
The information and products in this informational report have not been evaluated by any statutory or professional body and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you believe or suspect you may have a health condition, problem or other, please consult your professional healthcare provider immediately.
* The statements in this report have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.We would like to thank CMI as the source for the recipes in this special tart cherry report.
This is Version 1 of Tart Cherry Report by Traverse Bay Farms:
Traverse Bay Farms P.O. Box 1229 Bellaire, MI 49615 1-877-746-7477 Website: http://www.traversebayfarms.com
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Introduction: The Tart Cherry
The tart cherry has a long history of offering natural health benefits. The tart cherry has traveled the world from Asia to Europe and finally to the new world. The cherry has pleased the palates of food lovers for centuries. Its ruby-red color and tangy taste won cherries a place on the tables of Roman conquerors, Greek citizens and Chinese noblemen. Cherries were ultimately, brought to America aboard ships by early settlers in the 1600s.
After the cherry arrived in the new world it spread across the country and several states boast commercial cherry crops including New York, Wisconsin, Utah, Washington and Michigan. In fact, Northwestern Lower Michigan is known at the “Cherry Capital of the World”. This section of Michigan produces approximately 60% of U.S. tart cherry production.
In 1852, Mr. Dougherty, a Presbyterian missionary living
in Northern Michigan, planted the first tart cherry tree on
Old Mission Peninsula
Much to the surprise of the other farmers and Indians who
lived in the area, Dougherty's tart cherry farm and trees
flourished and soon other residents of the area started their very own cherry farms. The area proved to be ideal for growing cherries because Lake Michigan tempers Arctic winds in winter and cools the orchards in summer.
The first official commercial tart cherry orchards in Michigan were planted in 1893 on Ridgewood Farm near the site of Dougherty's original plantings. By the early 1900s, the tart cherry industry was firmly established in the state with orchards not only in the Traverse City area, but all along Lake Michigan from Benton Harbor to Elk Rapids. Soon production surpassed other major crops. The first cherry processing facility, Traverse City Canning Company, was built just south of Traverse City, and the tart cherry fruit was soon shipped to Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee.
The Natural Health Benefits of the Tart CherryThe tart cherry offers a number natural nutrients and health benefits. For decades the tart cherry has been to subject of folklore and legend. The amazing stories of it natural health benefits being passed down from generation to generation, from grandfather to grandson and from mother to daughter.
In addition, many of the world’s leading research organizations are studying this ruby red fruit with amazing results. These studies are being funded by research universities, USDA grants, private companies and public grants. So thanks to an ever increasing number of published research papers and published studies, all of those the legends and folklores now seem to have a large amount of fact.
This special report will introduce you to the antioxidant properties and health benefits of the tart cherry. Ongoing research from medical universities suggests tart cherries may…• Provide the body with high levels of ORAC units
• Helps maintain healthy joint function*
• Helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system*
• Helps maintain healthy sleep patterns*
Like many foods, tart cherries are a natural source of a broad range of antioxidants. However, the unique makeup and combination of the antioxidants in tart cherries are what make this tiny fruit so special. Tart cherries are a source of fiber, potassium, beta carotene, melatonin, flavonoids, anthocyanins and more.
In addition, when comparing tart cherries to other types of fruit, the tart cherry offers outstanding nutrient values. For example, frozen tart cherries are higher in beta carotene and thiamin than frozen blueberries and strawberries. The levels of vitamin A and beta carotene are 19 times higher than these same two frozen fruits. (I have included a complete chart below for your review)
Nutritional Information on Select Tart Cherry Products
A daily serving (1/4 cup – 45g) of dried tart cherries provides the following:
• 138 Calories
• 4.55 g protein
• 28.9g Carbohydrates
• .23g Fat
A daily serving (1 oz. – 28.3g) of tart cherry juice concentrate
• 74 Calories
• .92 g protein
• 17.5g Carbohydrates
• 0g Fat
A daily serving (1/2 cup – 67g) of frozen tart cherries
• 28 Calories
• .65 g protein
• 6.35g Carbohydrates
• .4g Fat
A daily serving (1/2 oz. – 121g) of canned tart cherries
• 37 Calories
• .90 g protein
• 8.13g Carbohydrates
• .07g Fat
Selected Nutrients in Tart Cherries Compared to Other Fruits
Select Fruit Vitamin A Beta Carotene Vitamin B6 Thiamin Iron Potassium (100 grams) IU MCG MG MG MG MG Tart Cherries 870 522 .067 .044 .53 124
FrozenBlueberries 46 28 .059 .032 .18 54 Frozen
Strawberries 45 27 .028 .022 .75 148 Frozen
Raspberries 33 12 .055 .032 .69 151 Raw
Oranges 225 71 .060 .087 .10 181 Raw
What is an Antioxidant?
An antioxidant is defined as “various substances (as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherol) that may inhibit oxidation promoted by oxygen and peroxides and may help to protect the body from the effects of free radicals.”
In other words, antioxidants may deactivate free radicals in the body. Thousands of studies have repeatedly shown that maintaining high levels of antioxidants helps to maintain a healthy body and a healthy lifestyle. So what is a free radical?
Free radicals are unstable molecules that have lost an oxygen molecule. These unstable molecules steal oxygen molecules from healthy cells. One example of the affects of free radicals on healthy cells is the browning of a freshly cut apple or potato.
If you have ever cut an apple or a potato and let it set on the counter for 20 minutes you have witnessed the affects of free radicals on healthy cells. The browning of the exposed fruit is what is called “cellular rust” and this is similar to what occurs in the body. Antioxidants fight these free radicals. That is why it is vital to eat a healthy diet and food that is high in ORAC value.
ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorption Capability measures the total antioxidant value of different foods. ORAC values indicate how many free radicals a specific food can absorb and deactivate. The more free radicals a food can absorb the higher its ORAC value score. Thus, the higher the score, the better the food is in helping the body to stay healthy.
Nutrition experts estimate that the body needs a daily consumption of 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units to reach significant oxygen capacity in the blood and realize the health benefits of ORAC in food.
Anthocyanins are responsible for giving nature its vibrant colors. Anthocyanins are present in every fruit and vegetable that has color. You can see the overwhelming presence of this pigment when you visit an orchard or the fresh produce section of your local grocery store. Anthocyanins are present in blueberries, cherries, strawberries, apples, and red raspberries to name a few. In addition, anthocyanins are the phytochemicals responsible for changing the colors of the leaves during the Autumn months from green to fiery red, orange, purple, yellow and more.
Anthocyanins have long been the study of botanists due to their phytoprotective capabilities. To date, over 300 distinct types of Anthocyanins have been identified. Based upon research, Anthocyanins belong to one class of flavonoids. Flavonoids include a number of different classes including flavones, flavonones, flavon-3-ols and flavonols to name a few. Different classes of flavonoids have different oxidations states. Thus, from an oxidative standpoint, different fruits and vegetables offer different oxidative degrees or ORAC values.
Tart Cherries Offer a Number of Antioxidant CompoundsThe good news about tart cherries and their natural healing benefits just keeps coming. Medical schools and research universities continue to publish more evidence showing the amazing health benefits of this tiny red fruit.
Research shows tart cherries have at least 17 naturally occurring compounds that offer an entire range of healthy benefits. According to an article published in 2006 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition the tart cherry ranked 14 of the top 50 foods in a study for total ORAC contact per serving – the ORAC value of the tart cherry surpassed red wine, orange juice, prune and even dark chocolate.
Cherry Product ORAC (units per serving)Quantity of Melatonin Identified in Cherries
The University of Texas Health Science Center recently began to quantify the availability and activity of the melatonin in cherry products. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant for which there is extensive evidence showing i