Although their sweet and tart flavor combination is enough reason to love them already, cherries actually have amazing health benefits too. And, in honor of February, which is National Cherry Month, here are the benefits of this sweet fruit!
The benefits
According to Healthline, a cup of cherries is 97 calories and has high amounts of Vitamin C (18% of the daily value) and Potassium (10% of the daily value). It also has three grams of fiber, around 10% of the recommended daily intake. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this fruit gets its red color from anthocyanins and are high in polyphenols. These nutrients are antioxidants and help prevent inflammation and lower the risks of arthritis, gout and heart disease. These anthocyanins have also been known to lower the risk of cancer. The Cleveland Clinic also states that cherries can also help to regulate blood sugar. Exercise recovery and better sleep are also benefits of this fruit, according to Healthline. Studies show that tart cherry juice (without added sugars) can help muscles recover quickly and prevent soreness. This fruit contain melatonin as well, which can help to regulate sleep and promote sleep quality.
How to add them to your diet
If you would like to incorporate this fruit into your diet, the Cleveland Clinic recommends a cup of fresh cherries per day or a quarter cup of dried ones. You can also drink a glass of tart cherry juice, according to The Arthritis Foundation. Or you can try using fresh or frozen cherries in a smoothie or dried cherries in a salad or trail mix. You can also use this fruit in desserts, such as brownies, muffins, or scones!
So, if you already eat cherries regularly or are choosing to incorporate them into your diet, you can feel even better about your snack choices!
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