3 replies to this topic

[suspire]

I've read a bit about the health benefits of tart cherries, but I was wondering whether sweet cherries have the same effects. I tend to prefer eating whole fruits rather than supplements, or at least doing both, but my choice of organic frozen cherries is only the sweet variety from what I've seen. If sweet cherries do not convey the same health benefits and if people tend to go for tart cherries, where do you get them?

Also, if one were to add only one, which would you prefer: cherries or blackberries? (I'm already good on a whole host of other fruits ranging from blueberries to pomegranate--I am just wondering whether I should go for cherries, and if so, whether sweet works and whether blackberries is a better choice instead).

[Dmitri]

I've read a bit about the health benefits of tart cherries, but I was wondering whether sweet cherries have the same effects. I tend to prefer eating whole fruits rather than supplements, or at least doing both, but my choice of organic frozen cherries is only the sweet variety from what I've seen. If sweet cherries do not convey the same health benefits and if people tend to go for tart cherries, where do you get them?

Also, if one were to add only one, which would you prefer: cherries or blackberries? (I'm already good on a whole host of other fruits ranging from blueberries to pomegranate--I am just wondering whether I should go for cherries, and if so, whether sweet works and whether blackberries is a better choice instead).

According to webmd, blackberries contain more antioxidants: http://www.webmd.com...nexpected-foods

TOP 20:

20. Gala apples
19. Plums
18. Black beans (dried)
17. Russet potatoes (cooked)
16. Black plums
15. Sweet cherries
14. Pecans
13. Granny Smith apples
12. Red delicious apples
11. Strawberries


If there's a surprise here, it's that strawberries - known for their high antioxidant content - just missed the top ten.

10. Raspberries
9. Prunes
8. Blackberries
7. Artichokes (cooked)
6. Cranberries
5. Blueberries (cultivated)
4. Pinto beans
3. Red kidney beans
2. Blueberries (wild)


And the number one antioxidant-rich food:
1. Small red beans (dried)

[suspire]

I've read a bit about the health benefits of tart cherries, but I was wondering whether sweet cherries have the same effects. I tend to prefer eating whole fruits rather than supplements, or at least doing both, but my choice of organic frozen cherries is only the sweet variety from what I've seen. If sweet cherries do not convey the same health benefits and if people tend to go for tart cherries, where do you get them?

Also, if one were to add only one, which would you prefer: cherries or blackberries? (I'm already good on a whole host of other fruits ranging from blueberries to pomegranate--I am just wondering whether I should go for cherries, and if so, whether sweet works and whether blackberries is a better choice instead).

According to webmd, blackberries contain more antioxidants: http://www.webmd.com...nexpected-foods

TOP 20:

20. Gala apples
19. Plums
18. Black beans (dried)
17. Russet potatoes (cooked)
16. Black plums
15. Sweet cherries
14. Pecans
13. Granny Smith apples
12. Red delicious apples
11. Strawberries


If there's a surprise here, it's that strawberries - known for their high antioxidant content - just missed the top ten.

10. Raspberries
9. Prunes
8. Blackberries
7. Artichokes (cooked)
6. Cranberries
5. Blueberries (cultivated)
4. Pinto beans
3. Red kidney beans
2. Blueberries (wild)


And the number one antioxidant-rich food:
1. Small red beans (dried)

I am less interested in ORAC value than I am in their specific health effects--I get enough antioxidants in a day to more than cover me. I am just wondering whether sweet cherries can/does convey the same health benefits as tart cherries and whether they are better than perhaps blackberries.

[RoadToAwe]

Tart cherries appear to be superior to sweet cherries. This is not to say that sweet cherries are worthless - only they contain beneficial phytochemicals in lesser amounts.
I am attaching a document detailing the nutritional profile of tart cherries. It has a statement which should answer your question:

Tart cherries contain significantly more anthocyanins and phenols than do sweet cherries. For example, one study found that the total phenolic content of sweet cherries ranged from 92 to 147 milligrams/100 grams, while the same amount of tart cherries contained up to 312 milligrams, or more than twice the phenols (Kim 2005, Chandra 1992).

Attached Files

•  CherryNutritionalReport.pdf   376.86KB   65 downloads