Anthocyanins are chemical compounds that give certain plants and fruits their unique dark colors. They act as flavonoids, antioxidants, and types of phytochemicals that help boost human cells to help fight harmful free radicals. Montmorency tart cherries are high in anthocyanins1.
Antioxidants are natural substances that may protect your body from free radical damage that can occur from exposure to certain chemicals, smoking, pollution, radiation, and as a byproduct of normal metabolism. Several decades of dietary research findings suggested that consuming greater amounts of antioxidant-rich foods might help to protect against diseases.
According to the USDA1, tart cherry concentrate is most well-known for its many potent antioxidants. including anthocyanins and flavonoids which are immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory. It is also rich in carbs, fiber2, proteins3, fatty acids, manganese4, potassium5, copper6, vitamin E7, vitamin A8, vitamin C9, zinc10, quercetin11, phenolic compounds, and melatonin.
The level of naturally occurring sugar in fruit can be measured as a brix level. The brix level is the percentage of solids present in the juice of a plant. These solids are mostly made up of sugar and minerals. Tart cherries can have a brix level ranging from 11 to 16. The highest brix level in tart cherry concentrate is measured at 68 brix. Stanton Orchards’ tart cherry concentrate always contains the highest brix level possible from each year’s growing season1.
Cherries are a small, red fruit that grows on trees. Over 1,000 different types of cherries exist in the world. Most are grown in the northern hemisphere as cherries need a cold period as well as a warm growing season. The popular Montmorency tart cherry is known for its high anthocyanin composition of antioxidants, fiber,beta carotene, and potassium. Montmorency tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) are grown on family farms in seven U.S. states: Michigan, Utah, Wisconsin, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and New York1.
Michigan grows about 75% of Montmorency tart cherries which is why the state is called the Cherry Capital of the World. Stanton Orchards is located in and around Lake Leelanau, Michigan which is prime property in the cherry capital with its perfect climate conditions for growing Montmorency tart cherries1.
Detoxification is a term used for any health product or remedy that can help to detoxify diseased cells in the body that are caused by free radicals. In discussions regarding tart cherry concentrate’s health benefits, the phrase that often comes up by researchers and medical sources is “tart cherry concentrate can detoxify diseased cells in the body caused by free radicals1.
Etymology is the study of a word’s origin and development throughout history. Tart cherry’s historical botanical name isPrunus cerasus. The word "cherry" comes from the Latin word “cerasus,” according to the city of Cerasonte in the Pontus province, which is now Turkey1.
You’ll find our tart cherry concentrate at most healthy food grocers throughout the United States. Look for it in the fresh refrigerated (or “fridge fresh” as some of our customers like to say) sections of your favorite grocery store! To find the closest store near you, visit our website 1 or order online2. You can also read our blog post "Why Do We Keep Our Tart Cherry Concentrate Chilled?” for more insight3!
Gout has been called the “disease of kings'' because it was thought that it was caused by overindulgence in rich food and drink only affordable by the very wealthiest citizens. A complex and painful form of arthritis, gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. Cherries have received attention for their possible role in gout management thanks to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Their high anthocyanin levels help to reduce the uric acid crystals that tend to result in joint pain1.
Tart cherry trees are the first fruit trees known to be used by humans. The earliest official report of tart cherries is “Preparations with tart cherry fruits were reportedly given to Roman army soldiers who suffered from mild to moderate pain on the battlefield1.” Cherries were brought to America by ship with early settlers in the 1600s. The first commercial tart cherry orchards in Michigan were planted in 1893.
Prunus is the genus of trees and shrubs, including cherry trees, as they all produce a fleshy drupe (commonly called the fruit) coming from the single one carpel that envelops a stone. Traditionally, they are native to southwest Asia and Europe2.
The phrase “in store” relates to a product being sold inside a store. Our tart cherry concentrate is sold at most healthy grocers across the United States including those featured on our website1.
One of the many nutrients in tart cherry concentrate is vitamin K, which the human body needs for post-synthesis modification of certain proteins that are required for blood coagulation or for controlling binding of calcium in bones and other tissues. Without vitamin K, blood coagulation is seriously impaired and uncontrollable bleeding occurs. Research suggests that vitamin K deficiency may also weaken bones, potentially contributing to osteoporosis and may promote calcifications of arteries and other soft tissues1.
Our tart cherry concentrate is a natural source of melatonin, the hormone in your body that naturally promotes sleep. Tart cherry concentrate is also a source of tryptophan and anthocyanins, two compounds that may help the body naturally produce more sleep-promoting melatonin.1 A common treatment for insomnia is to take 2 TBS of tart cherry concentrate in a glass of water before bedtime.
Montmorency is the varietal of tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) most commonly grown in the United States and Canada on small family farms. The name comes from a valley in the northern suburbs of Paris, France where tart cherries were first cultivated in the 18th century1.
The distinctive taste and deep red color of Montmorency tart cherries are due to the concentration of anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol in the flavonoids family. Nearly all of the health research on cherries has been conducted on the United States-grown Montmorency variety as opposed to any other type of cherry. Studies on these homegrown superfruits have included research on arthritis, gout, exercise recovery, sleep, heart health, and gut health.
Montmorency tart cherries are harvested in the summer yet they’re available year-round in multiple forms: dried, frozen, canned, juice, and juice concentrate. Montmorency tart cherries are truly “the cherry with more” as they’re different from other cherry varieties with their sweet-sour taste and unique nutrient profile2.
Montmorency tart cherries have been studied more than any other type of cherry and the evidence is growing. Studies have explored the impact of Montmorency tart cherry consumption on arthritis, gout, exercise recovery, sleep, heart health, and gut health.
Nutrients are chemical compounds in food that the human body needs to function properly and maintain its health. Our tart cherry concentrate is packed with nutrients, including 17 antioxidants, anthocyanins, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, potassium, and melatonin. Our tart cherry concentrate is also rich in vitamin A, B, C, and K, calcium, iron, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and phosphorus. All these nutrients work to give your body a heightened healthy experience. The health benefits of our tart cherry concentrate include heart health, endurance recovery, inflammation reduction, sleep enhancer, arthritis and gout pain relief, and toxin defense1.
When it comes to fat, there's one type you don't want to cut back on: omega fatty acids. Our tart cherry concentrate contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which help maintain healthy cartilage and joint function as well as help avoid discomfort by supporting the body’s normal inflammatory response1.
Phytochemicals are what give vegetables and fruits aroma, flavor, and color. These chemicals are biologically active and they help the plants fight off infection, disease, and invasion. Not only can these chemicals help plants, but they can also help people who consume these plants1. Our tart cherry concentrate contains high levels of phytochemicals that act as helpful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents to protect the body against diseases2. Phytochemicals can also help modulate your immune system3.
Our tart cherry concentrate contains the potent flavonoid quercetin, one of the most effective antioxidants in the human diet. According to scientific studies1, it plays an important role in fighting free radical damage, the effects of aging, and inflammation. Quercetin may also kill cancer cells, control blood sugar, and help prevent heart disease2.
Tart cherry concentrate contains vitamins A, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, and K as well as zinc. One cup contains 40% of the recommended intake of vitamin A and 26% of the recommended vitamin C. Other nutrients in tart cherries include fiber, protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, folate, choline, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese. Tart cherries also contain trace amounts of vitamin B1 and sodium1.
