Fruitceuticals - The Evolution of Fruit

Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known to help maintain a healthy body. The popular "5-A-Day for Better Health" is a national program encouraging Americans to increase their daily servings of fruit and vegetables to five or more per day.

While each fruit is good for you, most offer a specific natural health benefit. For example, research indicates that Montmorency tart cherries contain over 17 natural compounds including antioxidants, some of which can provide natural relief for joint pain caused from gout, arthritis and inflammation. The list of health benefits obtained from Montmorency tart cherries is impressive indeed!

Researchers believe that the joint pain relief delivered by tart cherries may not come from a specific antioxidant in the fruit, but may come from the synergistic effect of all its natural compounds. Tart Cherries may be 10 times stronger than Aspirin or Ibuprofen in relieving arthritic pain. In addition, Montmorency tart cherries naturally contain the popular antioxidant, melatonin. Melatonin helps to maintain wakefulness during the day and sleepiness during the night.

Antioxidants are best known to increase immune function and possibly decrease risk of infection and cancer by helping to prevent or repair damage to the body's cells. The particular combination of antioxidants found in tart cherries offers an anti-inflammatory benefit, which is appreciated by those suffering from joint pain caused by arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia or over-exertion.

The Benefit of Fruit - The Advantage of Science

Linda L. Patterson is a living testimony of the soothing affects of cherries on her joint pain. "I enjoy crocheting and lately my hands have been so painful I couldn't crochet for more than about 30 minutes", says Patterson. In an attempt to find relief from her pain, a friend recommended Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules (www.fruitadvantage.com), a supplement made with whole Montmorency tart cherries. "Within the first week of taking the tart cherry capsules my hands felt so much better.", says Ms. Patterson. "I am now able to crochet without the pain in my hands."

Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutraceutical product. Nutraceuticals are generally defined as dietary supplements or foods that provides medical or health benefits. While many people are living a fast-paced life, they can still achieve the 5-a-day fruit serving recommendation with food supplements added to a healthy diet.

The Fruitceuticals company was recently founded with the mission of creating nutraceutical products that focus on the health benefits found in specific fruits. "Our goal as a company is to combine the benefits of whole fruit with the advantage of science," states Mike Weir, Director of Marketing with Fruitceuticals. "While everyone's familiar with the wonderful world of fruit and its overall health benefits, we are researching and will offer the specific benefits of each unique fruit."

In January 2005, Fruitceuticals reached an agreement with Traverse Bay Farms (www.traversebayfarms.com) to market and distribute Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules worldwide. Until recently, Traverse Bay Farms was the master distributor for the Fruit Advantage brand.

"Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry is laboratory tested, scientifically-based and precisely manufactured to provide the health benefits of whole cherries in a convenient, easy-to-swallow capsule", says Weir. Perhaps Fruitceuticals will introduce an entirely new generation of fruit-based nutraceuticals. If Tart Cherry is any indication, Fruitceuticals is certainly on its way to building a global brand starting with Fruit Advantage.

Andrew LaPointe is Global Director of Marketing for the combined marketing venture of Traverse Bay Farms and Fruitceuticals.