03/29/05 Cherries control diabetes?

03/29/05 Cherries control diabetes?

The January edition of "The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" featured a Michigan State University study that shows that cherries contain anthocyanins, a chemical that is believed to have antioxidant properties. But more importantly, the high concentration of anthocyanins in cherries is believed to boost insulin, which controls blood sugar levels. THURLBY: If you look at diabetic diets, they use a measurement system called glycemic index and cherries are actually quite low in their glycemic index rating. Northwest Cherries' B.J. Thurlby says the news is not only good for diabetics. The cherry marketer now has a legitimate health message to capitalize on in a day and age where fruit marketers are promoting the health benefits of their product. THURLBY: When I was at the American Dietetics Association meeting back in Philadelphia, I had a lot of food nutritionists come up and go "Wow! What great news on cherries. This is exciting. And so I started hearing more about it and started looking into it. And next thing you know, we've got what I think is a real health story to tell to the consumer. So Thurbly says the usual promotion of Northwest Cherries as the "Diamond of Fruit", and the sex appeal that goes with it, is expected to be modified somewhat. THURLBY: What we're saying this year is sexy is healthy. And Northwest Cherries with the low glycemic index, with the high levels of anti-oxidants, with high fiber, and no fat, fall right in there.
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