Cherry lovers, rejoice: the fruit is one of the healthiest foods available.
It’s cherry season again! They’re fresh, plentiful, beautiful, and delicious. You might be wondering, though, if cherries are really that good for you. Yeah Cherries are not only one of the healthiest fruits, but they are also considered one of the healthiest foods in general. One mug, or approximately 21 cherries, contains less than 100 calories and 15% of your daily vitamin C needs. Here are 7 more examples of why cherries are a nutritious powerhouse, as well as easy ways to consume more cherries during the year.
Cherries are high in antioxidants
Cherries contain anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in abundance. These cellular body guards slow down aging and protect against chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer cells, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and obesity.
They help to prevent diabetes
Cherries have anti-inflammatory properties and have a lower glycemic index than other fruits, which helps to keep the body safe and balanced.
That is, they do not trigger spikes or crashes in your blood glucose or insulin levels. This makes them both defensive against diabetic problems and important for managing the condition if you already have it.
They encourage restful and well-balanced sleep
Tart cherries, in particular, are one of the few food sources of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycles. Eight ounces of tart cherry juice in the morning and again one to two hours before bedtime boosted rest time by an hour and 24 minutes as compared to a sugar pill in a study of men and women with insomnia.
They can help with joint inflammation
A number of studies have shown that eating cherries can help people with osteoarthritis. Incorporating cherries or cherry juice into your dish or treat routine on a regular basis can help to alleviate joint pain.
They reduce the risk of gout arthritis attacks
Gout affects over eight million people in the United States. This inflammatory joint inflammation occurs when uric acid, a waste product, crystallizes within the joints, causing excruciating pain and swelling. In one study, gout arthritis patients who consumed cherries for only two days (both the fresh fruit and cherry extract and juice) had a 35% lower risk of gout attacks than those who did not consume cherries.
They lower cholesterol levels
According to studies, drinking sharp cherry juice will help lower total cholesterol, as well as the “negative” form known as LDL.
This is important for every 1% reduction in cholesterol decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 2%. High LDL is particularly concerning when it comes to the risk of cardiac arrest.
They help to reduce post-workout pain
Simply put, cherries may reduce the severity of post-HIIT exercise soreness. They also help promote muscle regeneration and protect against cellular damage caused by exercise. Sharp cherry juice is therefore popular among expert and competitive professional athletes. Anyone who is consistently active will benefit from it.
How to get the most out of your fitness and wellbeing benefits
When they’re on their period, nothing beats a bowl of fresh cherries.
There are other ways to embrace their nutritional benefits. Look for frozen cherries, freeze-dried powders, 100 percent tart cherry juice, and dried out cherries that are preservative-free.
Blend frozen cherries or powder into smoothies or add them to overnight oats. Spray sliced dried out cherries onto salads and cooked vegetables, or mix them right into nut butter or thawed dark chocolate. In gleaming water, add tart cherry juice. If you’re having trouble sleeping or need to recover from a workout, you can drink it straight. Making cherries and cherry products a regular part of your diet is a minor change that can lead to significant health benefits.