In many parts of the world, cherry trees are bountiful with their deliciously tasty and oh-so succulent fruits. Those red, meaty, sweet, yet somewhat tart fruits have a delightful flavor that is nearly impossible to resist, you may be wondering if they offer any particular health benefits. Well, the answer to that is a resounding YES!
Cherries are hailed as one of the healthiest of all fruits, and in fact, they are one of the healthiest foods overall. A single cup of this fruit or around 20 cherries has less than 90 calories, about 3 grams of fiber, and plenty of vitamin C (around 16 percent of the daily recommended intake). On top of all that, cherries are also packed with powerful antioxidants, potassium, and even melotonin. With so many valuable nutrients, it’s easy to see why cherries are such a healthy food choice.
Here’s a look at 5 of the biggest health benefits you’ll reap when you make cherries a regular part of your diet.
1. Eases arthritic pain
If you suffer from arthritis, you know how debilitating the pain in your joints can be. The pain can become so unbearable that it can inhibit your ability to complete everyday tasks, such as walking and climbing stairs. That pain and the decrease in mobility can have a direct effect on your overall well-being, making you feel depressed and anxious. However, eating more cherries can prove to be an effective way to help alleviate the pain that is associated with arthritis.
That is because cherries contain tons of anti-inflammatory properties that have been proven to reduce arthritic joint pain. Tart cherries, in particular, have been found to drastically reduce inflammation in the joints, which is what leads to the pain that those with arthritis experience. So, make sure to add more cherries to your diet or drink natural cherry juice if you want to ease your pain.
2. Aides in weight loss
If you are looking to shed a few pounds, you are definitely going to want to eat more cherries. Eating a balanced diet that contains a healthy amount of fruits is generally recommended for weight loss, and cherries should be high on the top of the fruits that you are eating. Why? – Because they can help to reduce the levels of fat in your blood, which can have a direct impact on the amount of fat you store in your body overall.
The Journal of Medical Foods published a study that revealed the effects cherries had on weight loss in rats. This study found that the test rats not only didn’t gain as much body fat as those who did not consume cherries, but that the fruit also helped to lower the levels of fat in the blood of the rats who were fed cherries. Tart cherries were found to have the most significant impact. Plus, considering that they are low in calories and high in dietary fiber, cherries can further aide in weight loss.
3. Promote better sleep
If you are having difficulty fall asleep, than you might want to try eating more cherries. This fruit contains high amounts of several vital nutrients, including melatonin, a substance that is produced by the brain and helps to moderate the cycles of sleep and wakefulness. By eating more cherries, you can substantially increase your levels of melatonin, which will help you get a better night of sleep
A study that conducted on men and women who suffered from insomnia found that those who consumed tart cherry juice when the woke up and before they went to bed were able to fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer than those who were given a placebo. Therefore, if you are having a difficult time falling asleep or staying asleep, adding more cherries to your diet – either by consuming the fruit, by drinking cherry juice, or by taking supplements – will be able to help you get a more restful night of sleep.
4. Improved heart health
It’s no secret that the heart is one of the most important organs in the body. It pumps blood to all other vital organs, including the brain, which means that it needs to be in good condition in order to maintain your health. Cherries may be able to drastically improve the health of your heart, according to a study conducted at the University of Michigan. In this study, it was found that the anti-inflammatory properties in cherries helped to substantially increase the heart health of those who participated
Furthermore, the high levels of antioxidants that cherries contain also contribute to improved heart health, as those antioxidants help to ward off various conditions that can affect your heart, such as high cholesterol. It was also found that eating more cherries can reduce the incidence of stroke, a condition that can be deadly and is directly related to the health of your heart.
5. Relieves and reduces muscle pain
Muscle pain is not an uncommon ailment; in fact, many people complain about experiencing aches and pains in their muscles, particularly those who exercise on a regular basis. In a study conducted at the University of Vermont, 14 participants who worked out for a span of one week were examined. The participants in this study drank either cherry juice or apple juice.
Those who drank apple juice reported that their muscle pain was reduced, but not as much as the reduction in muscle pain experienced by those who drank the cherry juice. The reason? – Cherries contain anti-inflammatory properties, so they can help reduce the inflammation that causes muscle pain.
