Seattle, Wash. –  The saying “you are what you eat” gained more support at the 2009 American College of Sports Medicine Convention held recently in Seattle.

Winona State University researchers presented a pilot study abstract with results showing that CherryFlex® softgels, the proprietary Montmorency red tart cherry fruit supplement, significantly altered muscle soreness following strenuous exercise in a double blind study conducted in 2008.

Fourteen healthy college-aged students participated in the study, with half taking CherryFlex fruit softgels, while the other group was given placebo.  The study participants performed five sets of 10 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexor after taking CherryFlex softgels for 16 days prior to and three days following exercise.

Lead researcher, Dr. Gary Kastello, said the pilot study results showed improved muscle recovery for those subjects taking the tart cherry softgel.

“Any athlete in training or everyday individuals subjected to strenuous activity can become sore when muscles swell following exercise,” said Dr. Kastello of Winona State University’s Department of Health, Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences.  “The tart cherry supplement decreased discomfort following exercise and resulted in a shortened recovery time.”

A larger study is currently underway at Winona State, a four year university in Minnesota.  This expanded research is focusing on the effect of cherry supplementation in 45-70 year-old subjects, with results expected this December.   Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast officials say the Winona research is the second of two pilot study abstracts released this year on CherryFlex and supports the company’s mission.

“Brownwood Acres is committed to validating, through scientific research, the anecdotal results that our customers have been reporting for years,” said Brownwood owner Steve de Tar.  “As science continues to unlock the secrets to why dark-skinned fruits offer wonderful health properties, Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast plans to lead the charge in educating consumers on the benefits of daily fruit supplementation.”

Using a proprietary process, US grown Montmorency whole tart cherries, including the skin and pulp, are converted into a paste and marketed in soft gelatin capsules.

“Promoting healthy living continues to be our goal with products that are made from premium whole fruit that’s healthy, tasty, convenient and affordable,” said Cherry Capital Services owner Bob Underwood, who developed the process that remains unmatched in the nutraceutical world and whose company funded the Winona study.  “This, coupled with our philosophy to use nature’s formula without preservatives, fillers, coloring or the use of harsh solvents in our products, is the reason we are the leader in this technology.”

To view the entire Winona State University Cherry Study Abstract, go to http://www.brownwoodacres.com/winonastudy.php

Last fall, my business partner, Steve de Tar, and I traveled to Minnesota to the campus of Winona State University.  Our trip had one purpose: to receive the results from a crossover double blind study the schools research division was conducting with our FruitFast product  – CherryFlex.

The aim was to measure the tart cherry softgel’s effects on muscle soreness and strength recovery following strenuous exercise.  To accomplish this, a team of researchers interview, sign up, schedule and instruct participants.  Then they conduct the trials, measure, sample, record and analyze statistics over a period of time from the two groups: one that takes the study product (CherryFlex) and the other that unknowingly takes placebo.

Not surprisingly, we learned that the scientific findings from the cherry supplementation study were positive.  Results showed a decrease in discomfort and faster recovery time from muscle soreness for study subjects taking the regular regimen of CherryFlex.   (click here to view abstract)

Dr. Gary Kastello of the University’s Department of Health, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences gave us a tour of the research facility – a comprehensive program and curriculum housed in an impressive new building in the center of the 8,000 student campus.  We met with the University president, research staff and students – a professional and dedicated group committed to science education and discovery.

It ended up being a trip that was enlightening in a number of ways.  I saw firsthand the concentration and integrity exhibited by the scientific community.  And was amazed by their intelligence and deductive reasoning skills.  Their efforts resulted in having the cherry supplementation scientific abstract reviewed, accepted and presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting in Seattle this past May.

It seemed longer than it actually was.  But for a few weeks last month, Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast call center staffers had the unpleasant task of informing customers,  “Sorry, but we are currently sold out of our Mixed Berry Bars” and listen to their audible disappointed sighs.

That is no longer the case.

Supplies of the popular Mixed Berry Fruit Supplement Bars and Mixed Berry with Dark Chocolate Bars have been replenished and it is again easy to order these popular 40g bars that are USDA developed and patented.

Packed with premium grade berries for a nutritious between meals treat, each bar has only 260 calories and conveniently fits in pockets, purses and beach bags.  Although they are great tasting, the dark-skinned berries provide antioxidants and phytonutrients for a healthful pick-me-up anytime of day.  You’ll enjoy one apple plus premium grade red and black raspberries, wild blueberries and strawberries in every bar.

So spread the word.   Mixed Berry is back and available in just the right quantity for you and your family.

Information from a new source oftentimes gets our attention and gets a reaction.  We can hear parents, relatives, friends and neighbors counsel us on a variety of subjects and offer advice repeatedly.   But do we listen?  Not always…

Noted nutritionist and author Jonny Bowden may just be one of those “voices” we do end up listening to and heeding.  He was recently quoted on Forbes.com about his latest book, The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy, and he named cherries and blueberries to his list of 10 very healthy foods we don’t eat enough of on a daily or even weekly basis.

But wait…we have been saying that all along at Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast!  It’s important to eat multiple servings of fruit daily, in fact, and most Americans don’t eat even three servings of fruit and vegetables a day.  It means your body is not getting the correct fuel to function well.

In that healthy spirit, we are welcoming the month of June with an invitation to order online from Brownwood Acres/ Fruit Fast and enjoy a 5 percent savings on everything you purchase.  Any order placed now until the end of June will receive the 5% discount…but there is a slight catch.

Shoppers need to enter the code SAVEFIVE into the coupon code section of the shopping cart.  The discount cannot be given if you forget to enter the SAVEFIVE code in the appropriate box.  Even our helpful phone staff will not be able to go in and add the code, so be sure you enter it when placing your order.

Between now and June 30, you can order and take advantage of this across-the-board savings.  Click here – and remember to enter the SAVEFIVE code.

If you forget, be sure to order one of our FruitFast Wild Blueberry products to pep up your brain power!