Cherries are one of the most precious fruits people cherish because not only are they delicious but also contain vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds with powerful health effects. In this article, we take a close look at important health benefits of cherries.
Cherries are not easy to obtain because they are very expensive to produce. However, don't hesitate when you find them because they provide numerous health benefits. Some of them are:
All varieties of cherries are highly nutritious and packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One cup (154 grams) of sweet, raw, pitted cherries provides Calories, Protein (2 grams), Carbs (25 grams), Fiber (3 grams), Vitamin C (18% of the Daily Value (DV) ), Potassium (10% of the DV), Copper (5% of the DV) and Manganese (5% of the DV).
The increased concentration of plant compounds in cherries may be responsible for this fruit’s many health benefits. Even though the amount and type can vary depending on the variety, all cherries are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. This high antioxidant content may help combat oxidative stress, a condition that is linked to multiple chronic diseases and premature aging.
Research shows that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in cherries may help relieve exercise-induced muscle pain, damage, and inflammation. In addition, cherries are blessed with powerful polyphenol antioxidants, including anthocyanins, flavonols, and catechins, which may help keep the heart healthy by protecting against cellular damage and reducing inflammation.
Due to their practical anti-inflammatory effects, cherries may reduce symptoms of arthritis and gout, a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid that can lead to extreme swelling, inflammation, and pain in your joints. In addition, many studies show that cherries help inhibit oxidative stress and decrease inflammation by suppressing inflammatory proteins, which can help reduce symptoms related to arthritis.
Eating cherries or drinking tart cherry juice may help improve sleep quality. These sleep-promoting benefits may be attributed to the fruit’s high concentration of plant compounds. To further bolster that, Cherries contain melatonin, a substance that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
There you have 5 reasons to enjoy cherries! Thankfully, cherries are easy to add to diets because they are versatile and incredibly delicious. Both sweet and tart varieties pair well with many foods. Plus, you can enjoy derived products, like dried cherries, cherry powder, and cherry juice, making exciting additions to many recipes.