Health Benefits of Cherries

Cherries are my new favorite snack!

Cherries are a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals, including potassium, calcium, vitamin A and folic acid. They are also well known for their antioxidant properties.

Both dark, sweet cherries and the yellow-red blushed Rainier cherries provide the perfect dose of sweetness without excess sugar. They also have a lower glycemic index (The Glycemic Index (GI) is a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels) than many other fruits and because they’re also a good source of fiber, they release their natural sugars into the bloodstream more slowly helping you feel fuller longer and giving you more sustained energy.

Cherries are a great snack to give to your kids as treats.  However, remember those that contain the seeds in the middle.   You don't want your kids choking on a cherry seed.   I love cherries to snack on.  They are naturally sweet and give you the boost of energy.

Cherries are a good antioxidant.   As well all know, antioxidants are vital for good health as they protect our cells from damaged caused by harmful oxidants. Cherries contain antioxidants known as anthocyanins (Found naturally in a number of foods, anthocyanins are the pigments that give red, purple, and blue plants their rich coloring.) and cyanidin which may have anti-inflammatory effects and initial research has shown that these antioxidants could be beneficial in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Research as shown that cherry juice may help reduce blood pressure due to its high polyphenol ( a large group of plant chemicals that help fight cellular damage, reduce inflammation, and promote overall health content) Tart cherries contain high concentrations of key phytochemicals including melatonin which is involved in the regulation of our sleep cycles. 

Tart Cherry Juice and concentrate have been found to accelerate muscle recovery, decrease exercise-induced muscle pain, and prevent strength loss in elite athletes, such as cyclists and marathon runners.

Overall, both cherries and cherry juice are good sources to add to our daily diet routine.   I have been eating them over the last couple of weeks.   As an arthritis sufferer, I am noticing my inflammation isn't as intense.  Lower inflammation means lower pain.  That's a #winwin for me.

Be sure and pick up some fresh cherries during the summer season.   They are a delicious snack and look beautiful in your fruit salad or table.
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