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FAQ's
What is the history of Montmorency Cherries ?
Modern day cherry production began in the mid-1800s. In 1852, Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian missionary living in northern Michigan, planted cherry trees on Old Mission Peninsula (near Traverse City, Michigan). Much to the surprise of the other farmers and Indians who lived in the area, Dougherty's cherry trees flourished and soon other residents of the area planted cherry trees. The area proved to be ideal for growing cherries because Lake Michigan tempers Arctic winds in winter and cools the orchards in summer.
The first commercial tart cherry orchards in Michigan were planted in 1893 on Ridgewood Farm near the site of Dougherty's original plantings. By the early 1900s, the tart cherry industry was firmly established in the state with orchards not only in the Traverse City area, but all along Lake Michigan from Benton Harbor to Elk Rapids. Soon production surpassed other major crops. The first cherry processing facility, Traverse City Canning Company, was built just south of Traverse City, and the ruby-red fruit was soon shipped to Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee.
The Montmorency is the primary variety of tart cherry. The newest American variety of tart cherry is the Balaton. Dr. Amy Iezzoni developed this cherry variety at Michigan State University.
Why Montmorency Cherries ?
Montmorency Tart cherries are one of today’s red hot “Super Fruits,” rich in antioxidants and health promoting nutrients. A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as dried fruit as well as cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times as much as blueberries or strawberries) vitamins C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fibre and folate.
Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, and diabetes. Cherries also have been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process.
What are Antioxidants & Anthocyanins?
Antioxidants
Oxygen is an important component of the air we breathe. We couldn’t survive without it. But oxygen can also be a source of free radicals – unstable oxygen molecules associated with heart disease and the effects of aging. Luckily, antioxidants can counter, scavenge, and deactivate these damaging free radicals. Thousands of studies spanning decades of research consistently and repeatedly show that maintaining a high antioxidant defence system lowers a person’s risk for disease, stimulates the immune system, protects brain neurons from damage, and possibly even slows the aging process. Oxidative stress associated with disease occurs when oxidative damage exceeds our antioxidant defences.
A lab testing procedure called Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC measures the total antioxidant capacity of foods. ORAC measures how many oxygen radicals a specific food can absorb and deactivate. The more oxygen radicals a food absorbs, the higher its ORAC score. The higher the ORAC score, the better a food may be in helping our bodies fight diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Nutrition experts estimate a person needs to consume 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units a day to reach a significant antioxidant capacity in the blood to contribute to health benefits. More than 100 grams of tart cherry juice concentrate supplies 12,800 ORAC units. Just 30ml supplies 5120 ORAC units, or more than an entire day’s recommendation. A 45g portion of dried Montmorency cherries rates 3,060 on the ORAC scale. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that tart cherries ranked 14 in the top 50 foods for highest antioxidant content per serving size – surpassing well-known leaders such as red wine.
Cherries also contain at least 17 antioxidants, including the powerful Melatonin, egallic acid, p-coumaric acid, kaempferol and quercetin.
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins that give tart cherries their deep, rich colour belong to a large group of phenolic compounds called flavonoids. Of the 150 different flavonoids found in plants, anthocyanins appear to have the greatest antioxidant capacity. Research conducted at Michigan State University found that tart cherries contained the highest concentrations of anthocyanins 1 and 2 – which help block enzymes in the body called cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (popularly known as COX-1 and COX-2). Some pain medication works by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2, which may explain why some people find that tart cherries help ease the pain of arthritis and gout. The researchers found that cherries were the richest source of these beneficial compounds compared to various berries, including raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 were not found in blueberries. Tart cherries contain 30 to 40 milligrams of anthocyanins 1 and 2 in every 100 grams of fruit. 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 4.
Anthocyanins are more effective than vitamin C, four times more potent as an antioxidant than the well-known vitamin E, and have been compared to ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen for their anti-inflammatory benefits.
What does ORAC refer to?
ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity)
This is a standardised method of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods. Products with high ORAC values are valuable in reducing oxidative damage on a cellular level that may contribute to degenerative diseases of aging, such as cardiovascular disease and immune system decline.
Can Diabetics take Cherry Essentials Products?
Cherry Essentials Montmorency Concentrate contains 15g of natural fruit sugars per 30ml serving.
Cherry Essentials Concentrate contains 15g of natural fruit sugars per 30ml serving. Montmorency cherries have a low Glycemic Index (GI). The GI is a system that ranks foods by how they affect blood sugar levels in the body. Low GI foods produce a gradual rise in the blood sugar that’s easy on the body. Foods with high GI numbers make blood sugar as well as insulin level spike fast.
What is the shelf life of Cherry Essentials Products and how do I store them?
All Cherry Essential products will have a best before on the outer label stating the shelf life
To maintain the Power of the Cherry we recommend the Cherry Essentials Concentrates are kept under refrigerated conditions. The Shelf life of the Cherry Essential concentrates is 12 months.
If you wish you can store the concentrate in the fridge or freezer (up to 24months) upon arrival.
The Cherry Essentials kept capsules under cool dry conditions have a shelf life of 12 months and the oat cookies 4 months from the date of manufacture.
The Cherry Essentials Apple Juice infused Cherries kept under cool dry condition will also have a shelf life of 12 months from the date of manufacture
How many Cherries are contained with Cherry Essentials products ?
Cherry Essentials Tart Juice Concentrate contains the juice of around 1,500 individual Montmorency tart cherries per 473ml bottle. Each capsule contains the powder from the skins and pulp of around 50 cherries.
What is omega 3?
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, other marine life such as algae and krill. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. The British Heart Foundation recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon) at least 2 times a week.
What is EPA & DHA ?
There are three major types of omega 3 fatty acids that are ingested in foods and used by the body: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Once eaten, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioural function. In fact, infants who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems. Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include extreme tiredness (fatigue), poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation.
ALA Alpha-linolenic
Primarily from flax.
EPA Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Primarily from fish. Only EPA and DHA are essential to good heart health and normal growth development.
DHA Docosahexaenoic Acid
Primarily from fish.
EPA/DHA Benefits
Are Cherry Essentials Products Vegetarian ?
We have marked individual products with a V indicating whether the product is vegetarian. We do endeavour to manufacture all our products under the vegetarian symbol, but we also believe in delivering the health benefits associated with non vegetarian sources.
V Cherry Essentials Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate
Cherry Essentials Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate with Omega 3 (from fish)
Cherry Essentials Capsules (contains Omega 3 from fish)
V Cherry Essentials Montmorency Apple Juice infused Cherries
V Cherry Essential capsules with Phytoplankton
V Cherry Essential Wholemeal Oat Cookies
What is Lycopene?
Cherry Essentials capsules not only delivers antioxidants from the Montmorency Cherry Powder, but in addition, each capsule delivers 5mg of lycopene… the Recommended Daily Intake.
Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant present in tomatoes, it is a potent single free radical quencher helping to prevent and manage both cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition, a study published in 1995 showed a diet rich in tomatoes, tomato products and lycopene was inversely related to the incidence of prostate cancer.
Until recently, Nutritionists failed to recognise the importance of lycopene, and as such there is no “Recommended Daily Intake”. However following several scientific studies the conclusion is that Lycopene:-
- Is a potent Antioxidant
- Increased intake lowers the risk of several chronic diseases
- We are unable to synthesise lycopene and it has to be provided through dietary sources
A RDI of 5mg is fully justified following these studies.
Cherry Essentials capsules not only delivers antioxidants from the Montmorency Cherry Powder, but in addition, each capsule delivers 10mg of lycopene…Double the Recommended Daily Intake.
What is Phytoplankton?
For three billion years Marine Phytoplankton has supported virtually all living creatures in the Ocean. It contains a unique combination of life sustaining nutrients including; Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EPA and DHA), Omega-6 (GLA), amino acids, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Marine Phytoplankton makes up one quarter of all vegetation (land and sea) and according to NASA provides up to 90% of the Oxygen in the air we breathe. All the Scientific evidence indicates that Marine Phytoplankton may be the most important food on Planet Earth. Omega gold analysis
How do we grow Conversation Grade Phytoplankton?
Not in the Ocean as you may think, but on dry land using Photo-Bioreactors or PBRs These culture systems replicate the natural growing conditions found in the wild - this allows us to avoid any need to deplete the Ocean of a valuable resource. Our method of cultivation has the added benefit that we can restrict the exchange of gases, water and contaminants between the culture and the outside environment. Photo-Bioreactors have several advantages over open pond systems for the cultivation of micro-algae:
- higher biomass concentrations due to shorter light paths
- reduced contamination
- better control of physico-chemical culture parameters
For some applications these advantages justify the increased cost of such systems compared to open ponds. Open ponds do not provide conditions necessary for high density algal biomass production because of the variation in light intensity and temperature throughout the seasons of the year. Chen (1996) states that enclosed PBRs have the following advantages over open pond production;
- Better control of algal culture
- Large surface-to-volume ratio
- Better control of gas transfer
- Reduction in evaporation of growth medium
- More uniform temperature
- Better protection from outside contamination
- Higher algal cell densities are possible.
Why is micro-algae better absorbed by humans?
Two key nutrients (EPA and DHA) only achieve an optimum level of bioavailability for the human body when they are present in the Phospholipid portion of fats. Phospholipids are needed to transport the important nutrients into your system, and then directly into your brain. The EPA and DHA in Phospholipids (micro-algae) are better absorbed because they can more easily cross what is called the blood/brain barrier to your brain. This barrier protects the brain from most foreign substances that come near it, not allowing them inside. In other words, the transfer mechanism to your brain (where you need these essential fats the most), is more efficient with micro-algae. When marine life eat Phytoplankton (or they eat creatures that eat Phytoplankton) they use the Phospholipids (just as humans would) in order to help transport the EPA and DHA to the cells of their body. It is not surprising therefore that the EPA and DHA that is stored in human cells is mainly in the Phospholipid form.. Marine Phytoplankton contains EPA and DHA in its most natural and bio-available Phospholipid form.
What is Erythritol?
Erythritol is a naturally-derived sugar substitute that looks and tastes very much like sugar, yet has benn classified with no calorific.
Erythritol is classified as a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols, also called polyols, are sugar substitutes that are either extracted from plants or manufactured from starches. Some of the more common sugar alcohol sweeteners are sorbitol and xylitol.
Sugar alcohols also occur naturally in plants. Erythritol is found naturally in small amounts in grapes, melons, mushrooms, and fermented foods such as wine, beer, cheese, and soy sauce.
How Sweet is Erythritol?
Erythritol is approximately 70 percent as sweet as table sugar (sucrose).
How is Erythritol Made?
Erythritol is usually made from plant sugars. Sugar is mixed with water and then fermented with a natural culture into Erythritol. It is then filtered, allowed to crystallize, and then dried. The finished product is white granules or powder that resembles sugar.
How Sweet is Erythritol?
- Erythritol has not been found to affect blood sugar or insulin levels and has a zero glycemic index
- Erthyritol has a clean, sweet taste. I've found that it’s more similar in taste to sugar than other natural sweeteners such as stevia (which can be bitter)
- In reasonable amounts, Erythritol doesn’t cause digestive upset and diarrhea that other sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol are known to cause. This is because Erythritol is a smaller molecule and 90 percent of Erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine and for the most part excreted unchanged in urine. This quality makes Erythritol unique among the sugar alcohols
- Erythritol isn’t metabolized by oral bacteria, which means that it doesn’t contribute to tooth decay
What is Lecithin ?
Soya Lecithin is a lipid that consists mostly of choline, but also includes inositol, phosphorus, and linoleic acid. Lecithin helps to prevent arteriosclerosis, protects against cardiovascular disease, improves brain function, helps keep the liver and kidneys healthy, aids in thiamin and vitamin A absorption, and can even help to repair liver damage caused by alcoholism--this nutrient is essential to every living cell in the human body. Our capsules contain 100mg of lecithin, adding to the already significant health benefits we have devised.
Our Soya Lecithin used is GMO free and fully Traceable.
What is the difference between Cherry Essentials concentrate & Cherry Essentials Concentrate Omega 3?
There is no difference in the actual Montmorency Cherry Concentrate used, however, we have added Omega 3 from fish oil to the Cherry Essentials Concentrate Omega 3, to deliver all the added health benefits.
To maintain these health benefits we have added the omega 3 in an encapsulation form, a double shell protection which keeps the EPA/DHA locked in a microcap and so free from any taint. For that reason we do recommend you shake the bottle before use to disperse the benefits of the Omega 3 evenly throughout the bottle.
I am on medication. Any reason for not taking Cherry Essentials Products?
Blue Sky Health Foods cannot offer medical advice. If you are unsure, you should consult your doctor.
Do you recommend Concentrate, Apple Juice Infused fruit, or Capsules ?
This is really a personal choice. We tend to find that some customers like the convenience of the Cherry essentials capsules to deliver all the benefits of Montmorency Cherry, Lycopene, Lecithin and Omega 3 in one easy convenient capsule. Other customers prefer to have our Cherry Essential Concentrate with or without Omega 3 on its own for quick absorption in the blood stream or a refreshing drink with a meal. We recommend a dilution of 30ml of Cherry essential concentrate with 250 – 270ml of water. This delivers 3840 ORAC units.
What security measures have you in place for ordering over the internet?
We have a fully secure server in place which is continuously monitored and maintained
Still not received my order?
We will endeavour to deliver the parcel within 3-5 working days of the order.
If you have still not received your order (UK Mainland) with 7 days, please contact us via :-
Warning: Blue Sky Health Foods cannot and does not offer any medical advice.
Always seek advice from your doctor if you are unsure or seek to alter your prescribed medication