Seniors

Arthritis sufferers long have hailed the mysterious healing power of Michigan's tart cherries. The swollen fingers, the aching knees, the pains -- all gone, thanks to the magic potion in cherries.

But only recently has scientific research proved these claims.

Michigan State University studies have confirmed that the compounds that give tart cherries their bright red shade also relieve pain. The compounds also are rich in antioxidants, which slow the body's natural process of deterioration, MSU and other scientific studies show.

As word spreads of cherry wonders, many of the state's 850 cherry farmers -- who are responsible for 75-percent of the nation's tart cherry supply -- are fiercely marketing their products. Juice concentrates, dried and canned cherries, pie filling, frozen cherries, even tablets and chewable wafers are hot items.

Eight years of ongoing study for MSU researchers show that tart cherries have an anti-inflammatory property called anthocyanin.

In addition, the antioxidant vitamins in cherries contain are ten times more active than those in vitamin C.