Science & Health

It might surprise you to learn that eating cherries may help reduce risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, one of the nation’s fastest growing epidemics.

A recent study conducted by University of Michigan researchers and led by Steven F. Bolling, M.D., showed diets enriched with tart cherries significantly lowered insulin and fasting glucose levels, key markers for the development of type 2 diabetes. The amount of cherries used in the animal study could equate to reasonable amounts in a human diet.

Click here for Dr. Bolling's Q&A revealing more information about how cherries might play a role in reducing risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Scroll down to read more about Dr. Bolling.

Steven F. Bolling, M.D.
University of Michigan Medical School's Section of Cardiac Surgery, Ann Arbor

Dr. Bolling is a Professor of Surgery in the University of Michigan Medical School's Section of Cardiac Surgery, and the university's first Gayle-Halperin Kahn Professor of Integrative Medicine.  He is a Director of both the U-M Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center and the Michigan Integrative Medicine Program, and heads the Cardioprotection Research Laboratory.  An accomplished cardiac surgeon, he has lectured and operated extensively around the world and has developed new techniques, particularly in the area of mitral valve reconstruction.  His basic science research has focused on cardiac muscle cell signal transduction as it relates to bioenergetics and myocardial preservation during cardiac surgery, and on the effect of diet and dietary supplements on animal models of chronic cardiovascular disease.

E. Mitchell Seymour, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate
University of Michigan Medical School's Section of Cardiac Surgery, Ann Arbor

Mr. Seymour is a research associate in the University of Michigan Section of Cardiac Surgery, and the supervisor of Dr. Bolling's laboratory.  He received a BS in biology from the University of Notre Dame, and is completing hsi Ph.D. in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition from Michigan State University.  Mr. Seymour has conducted extensive reearch in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell and molecular biology.  His research has included projects in molecular virology, environmental microbiology, and cancer biology.  His work has utilized several animalmodels, and his cell culture experience includes primary cell culture, transformed mammalian cell lines, and insect cell lines.  His current research explores impact of phytochemical-enriched diets on heart failure pathogenesis.

Russel J. Reiter, Ph.D.
University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio

Dr. Russel Reiter is a prominent researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center and has pioneered many of the studies on tart cherries. "There's a tremendous body of evidence suggesting that cherries are one of the most nutritious fruits you can eat. Tart cherries not only contain significant levels of antioxidants, but they provide a unique combination of antioxidant compounds that are not found in other fruits. The antioxidant compounds in tart cherries appear to have potent anti-inflammatory benefits, which may be particularly valuable for aging baby boomers suffering from joint pain."

Reiter also authored "Melatonin" and is one of the world's authorities on this powerful antioxidant.

Click here to read Dr. Reiter's complete bio. »