Clicky

Top 10 Reasons To Eat Cherries

As we approach the glory of cherry season, we should do ourselves the favor of taking advantage of these sweet treats for not only their delicious taste, but for their myriad of nutritional benefits. Cherries offer some serious health benefits, and should be included as part of your regular diet. Not to mention, they can be a healthy alternative to satisfy your sweet cravings.

There are two main types of cherries: tart and sweet. Sweet cherries (like the Bing variety) are excellent when simply eaten raw, and sour cherries are often used in baking.

Cherries reach their peak in summer months. Let’s first take a closer look at their impressive nutrient benefits, and then we’ll explore some ways to use them in cooking.

 Top 10 Health Benefits Of Cherries:

Antioxidant Rich

 Cherries are packed full of powerful antioxidantsCherries are packed full of powerful antioxidants, especially nthocyanins and cyanidin.[1] Free radical damage is caused by toxins in the diet and environment, and are known to harm our cells and even be a precursor to cancer. Antioxidants are essential in fighting free radicals in the body, and cherries top the list of foods that offer these potent health promoters.

Anti-Inflammatory

 Inflammation is somewhat of a buzz word these days, but for good reason. Particularly when we are discussing systemic or generalized inflammation, as this is the type (as opposed to acute inflammation, which is normal and necessary) is linked to degenerative diseases, chronic pain, GI conditions, and more. Cherries contain potent anti-inflammatory properties, and have been proven to lower uric acid levels, which is responsible for causing gout.[2]

Sleep Promoting

 Cherries are quite high in our sleep-promoting hormone, melatonin. Interestingly, melatonin is also a key antioxidant that is both cell-protective and anti-inflammatory. Some research suggests that drinking cherry juice (of the sour/tart variety) before bed could help to improve sleep.

Aid In Fat Loss

 Some studies suggest that tart cherries can work effectively to reduce visceral (belly) fat. And reducing excess belly fat is crucial in order to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease.

Pain Relieving

 Due to cherries’ unique ability to decrease systemic inflammation, they have been proven to decrease the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. In fact, one case study showed that a patient with osteoarthritis experienced a 20 percent pain reduction after drinking sour cherry juice for three weeks, twice a day.

Increases Exercise Recovery Time

sour cherries might work to decrease muscle damage  Also thought to be mainly due to cherries’ high antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory properties, athletes (especially runners) who consumed sour cherry juice just prior to an event experienced less pain than fellow athletes. Therefore, sour cherries might work to decrease muscle damage and increase recovery time during intense exercise.

Lowered Stroke Risk

 According to Science Daily, sour cherry consumption works to activate PPAR (peroxisome proliferator activating receptors) in the body. These are the receptors that regulate genes responsible for glucose and fat metabolism, and might even lower your risk of heart disease.[3]

Cancer Preventing

 Not only due to their incredibly high antioxidant content (as discussed above) but also because of their specific antioxidant makeup, cherries are believed to help protect against certain types of cancers. Sweet cherries are also high in immune-supportive vitamin C, fiber and carotenoids, which also are essential for optimal wellness and cancer prevention.

Blood Sugar Regulating

 Compared to many fruits, sweet cherries have a very low glycemic index, and are therefore a better choice when trying to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, not to mention for diabetics. Not only for those currently living with diabetes, but cherries are a great fruit choice for prevention and blood sugar stabilization, as they do not cause as big of a blood sugar spike than many other fruits.

Reduces Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease

 The Alzheimer’s Association states that cherries are an excellent food for supporting and boosting memory, due to their antioxidant content.

And there you have it! As we gently roll into spring, get ready to include cherries not only as an ice cream topping (or maybe not even as an ice cream topping, at all), but also as a sweet snack to eat by themselves, or in cooking. If you have trouble sleeping, consider sipping on sour cherry juice before bed, and see if it makes a difference. Unsweetened cherry juice and cherry jam also make great alternatives for those who live in areas where cherries aren’t local. For a once in awhile indulgence, treat yourself to a Cherry Pie Larabar, which can be purchased online or in most health food stores.

Here’s to your health!

References:
  1. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20944519. Retrieved March 30th, 2016.
  2. [2] https://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/234-607.pdf. Retrieved March 30th, 2016.
  3. [3] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130423102129.htm. Retrieved March 30th, 2016.
  • Rachel Fiske started Madrona Wellness Holistic Nutrition in 2010, after discovering her passion for healing and preventing illness through a real, whole foods diet and lifestyle. This passion now encompasses working with her clients to find the underlying cause of symptoms, and achieving optimal health in the short and long term.Rachel specializes in the following conditions: digestive issues, food allergies/sensitivities, blood sugar regulation, detox, fatigue, insomnia, hormonal imbalances, depression, stress, weight loss, and more. She wants her clients to understand the importance of starting with whole foods, and then proceeding to herbs and supplementation when necessary.

  • Show Comments (11)

You May Also Like

5 Ways To Heal Your Gut

“All disease begins in the gut.” -Hippocrates Digestive symptoms are shockingly common, and are ...

11 Ways to Cut Calories Without Really Trying

Dieting can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to. The good news is that ...

The Truth Behind Stretching, and Why It’s Important

We have all been told to stretch before and after our workouts, but never ...