Lansing, MI--A new study found that Montmorency tart cherry juice can help lower systolic blood pressure and LDL “bad” cholesterol in older adults. According to the press release, it reduces certain biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation.

The study, titled "Effects of Tart Cherry Juice on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Stress in Older Adults" by S.C. Chai et al. and published in Nutrients,  consisted of 34 men and women ages 65-80. The press release states they drank 8 ounces of Montmorency tart cherry juice or a control beverage twice daily for a 12 week period. It is reported that at the end of the 12 weeks, those who drank the tart cherry juice had lower systolic blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, and lower levels of substances that indicate inflammation and oxidative stress such as c-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The report also states that those who drank the tart cherry juice had increased DNA repair activity of 9-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1).

The press release states that the Montmorency tart cherry juice lowered participants' oxidized low-density lipoprotein by 11%, CRP levels by 25% and MDA levels by 3%. The 16 ounces of juice that were consumed daily contained 181 calories and 34 grams of sugar. The release states that the juice did not change participant’s insulin levels, insulin resistance, or body weight.

Follow-up studies that are larger and longer are needed to confirm these findings, according to the press release.

According to lead researcher Sheau Ching Chai, PhD, RD and assistant professor at the University of Delaware’s Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, Montmorency cherry juice is a good addition to a heart-healthy diet. “Our findings suggest Montmorency tart cherry juice may be a good addition to a heart-healthy diet. The compliance rate of our participants was quite high, at 94%, suggesting that a cup of tart cherry juice twice a day can easily be incorporated and enjoyed in an overall diet."