Cherry lovers, Rejoice: the fruit is one of the healthiest foods available.
It’s cherry season once more! Cherries are young, abundant, beautiful, and delicious, but are they really that good for you? Yes, Cherries are not only one of the healthiest fruits, but also one of the healthiest foods on the planet. One cup of cherries, or around 21 cherries, has less than 100 calories and provides 15% of your daily vitamin C requirements. Here are seven more examples why cherries are a nutritious powerhouse, as well as easy ways to eat more cherries all year.
Antioxidants abound in Cherries
Cherries are rich in antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory compounds. Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and obesity are all chronic diseases that these cellular body guards help to avoid.
They help to prevent diabetes.
Cherry’santi-inflammatory properties help keep the body safe, and cherries have a lower glycemic index than many other fruits. This means they don’t cause blood sugar and insulin levels to spike and crash. This makes them both anti-diabetic and important for treating the disease if you already have it.
They facilitate restful sleep.
Tart cherries are one of the few foods that contain melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycles. In one study of men and women with insomnia, eight ounces of tart cherry juice in the morning and again one to two hours before bed improved sleep time by an hour and 24 minutes as compared to a placebo.
They will help with arthritis pain.
Several studies have shown that eating cherries may help people with osteoarthritis. Incorporating cherries or cherry juice into your meal or snack routine on a regular basis can help to relieve joint pain.
They reduce the likelihood of gout attacks.
Gout affects over eight million people in the United States. When a waste product called uric acid crystallises inside the joints, it causes excruciating pain and swelling, causing inflammatory arthritis. Gout patients who ate cherries for only two days (both the fresh fruit and cherry extract and juice) had a 35% lower chance of gout attacks than those who did not.
They lower cholesterol levels
Drinking tart cherry juice has been shown in studies to help lower total cholesterol, as well as the “bad” form, known as LDL. This is important because every 1% reduction in cholesterol reduces the risk of heart disease by 2%. A high LDL is particularly concerning when it comes to the risk of a heart attack.
They help to alleviate post-workout discomfort.
In other words, cherries can help to reduce the severity of post-HIIT workout soreness. They also aid with muscle regeneration and defend against cellular wear and tear caused by exercise. Tart cherry juice is therefore popular among professional and competitive athletes. It can, however, benefit someone who is physically active on a regular basis.
How to get the most out of cherries’ health benefits
When fresh cherries are in season, nothing beats a bowl of them. However, it isn’t the only way to take advantage of their nutritional benefits. Frozen cherries, freeze-dried powders, 100% tart cherry juice, and preservative-free dried cherries are all good options.
Frozen cherries or powder may be added to smoothies or overnight oats. Sprinkle sliced dried cherries on salads and cooked vegetables, or mix them into almond butter or melted dark chocolate. Toss a few drops of tart cherry juice into a glass of sparkling water. If you’re having trouble sleeping or need to recover from a workout, drink it straight up. Making cherries and cherry products a regular part of your diet is a little change that could have a major impact on your health.
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