The professor from the School of Agronomy and the Agro-food Sciences doctoral program from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) Romina Pedreschi, has joined an international research project regarding the health benefits of eating sweet cherries.
The study, funded by state entities in Washington, United States, and led by researchers at Texas A&M University (Dr. Giuliana Noratto Stevens), seeks to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the positive effects of cherry intake on risk factors associated to obesity.
Previous clinical studies demonstrated that supplementation with sweet cherries reduces blood pressure and inflammation in obese adults without altering lipids, glucose or hepatic enzymes. In addition, it improves the composition of intestinal microbiota and cognitive functions. This project seeks to delve into the molecular mechanisms through a multi-omics approach, integrating transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics, to study different aspects at the molecular level.
According to Romina Pedreschi, the final goal of this initiative is to provide scientific evidence to promote a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables, due to the complex scenario of chronic diseases and the low intake of these foods in the world, a problem that is not foreign to Chile. The project seeks to generate scientific evidence that will position cherries as a functional food with the potential to prevent metabolic and neurological disorders related to obesity.
“If we take a look at the chilean landscape in terms of non-transmissible chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes or hypertension, the scenario is quite complex, especially considering the low consumption of fruits and vegetables. The global and national recommendation is to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day –approximately 400 grs. per day– and we observe that more than 80% of the chilean population does not comply with this minimum amount. Therefore, diet becomes a risk factor in itself for the development of these diseases”, the scholar commented.
The study
Romina Pedreschi explained that the project includes the execution of a placebo controlled study where sweet cherry concentrated juice will be supplied to a group of people that display obesity indicators, and then blood samples will be collected and analyzed for different markers involved in processes such as the intestinal microbiota modulation and systemic inflammation, among others.
“It is important to note that, even when this is an international project focussed on clinical studies with individuals from the United States, these metabolic diseases are of global reach, including Chile. Through this study we hope to clarify what biochemical mechanisms would be involved with the modulation of certain metabolic disorders in a positive way, through the intake of this supplement with sweet cherry juice”, the scholar explained.
More than the development of food supplements, this research seeks to provide scientific evidence, so consumers have an incentive to promote greater intake of fruits and vegetables, especially sweet cherries. This fruit is rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins – the pigments responsible for its characteristic red color – that play very important roles in the organism by reducing oxidative stress.
In addition, cherries have anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to compounds such as quercetin. Its regular consumption can improve cardiovascular health by regulating blood pressure, promoting better sleep due to its content of melatonin and tryptophan, and benefit the digestive system due to its fiber contribution. In the end, fruit and vegetable production – in this particular case sweet cherries - is very important for the agronomic field, betting on the global quality of the product (organoleptic, nutritional and functional).
International Collaboration
The PUCV scholar highlighted the importance of international collaboration and associativity for the implementation of studies of impact and emphasized that this project agrees with the research lines that have been developing during the last period. She emphasized that “this study is very well framed in the Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, where I work as a principal researchers and the PUCV is a sponsoring institution”.
By Erika Schubert
Strategic Communications Department
