Cherries have long been considered a superfood, but the top 10 health benefits of cherries may surprise you. Cherries are a fruit that is well documented to have excellent nutritional contributions and numerous health benefits.
The top 10 health benefits of cherries start with their nutritional value because they are low in calories, low on the glycemic scale, yet high in fiber, and full of vitamins. A cup of cherries has only 87 calories, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, and 3 grams of fiber.
Top 10 Health Benefits of Cherries
Cherries health benefits include everything from helping you get better sleep, protecting your heart health, and managing your weight. The following list of top 10 health benefits of cherries is not a complete list of all cherries health benefits.
This list of the top 10 health benefits of cherries is meant to help get you started on your research. Since cherries are low in calories and low on the glycemic scale, you really can’t eat too many of them. By adding as little as a half cup of cherries to your diet daily, you can expect to experience some or all of these top 10 health benefits of cherries within just a few short weeks.
Top 10 Health Benefits of Cherries
Cherries are known as “superfruit” mainly because they are full of antioxidants called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are a powerhouse in the pharmaceutical world for many reasons. They contain compounds proven to be anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-diabetic.
Cherries contain melatonin, an antioxidant that helps regulate heart rate and the body’s sleep cycles. There are very few foods that contain melatonin naturally, but cherries do. Longer and better quality sleep is beneficial to both physical and mental health.
Another of the top 10 health benefits of cherries is that they are an excellent source of beta-carotene (vitamin A). In fact, they contain 19 times more beta-carotene than blueberries and strawberries. Vitamin A assists in keeping a healthy immune system and helps maintain healthy vision.
Cherries are rich in vitamins C, E, potassium, magnesium, iron, and folic acid. Vitamins C & E are some of the most potent antioxidants. These antioxidants can slow or even stop harmful molecules, more commonly known as free radicals, from causing cell damage.
Cherries contain polyphenols. The polyphenols in cherries work to help your brain process new information more effectively. They also improve the communication pathways between our brains and the rest of our bodies.
Because cherries contain anthocyanins, they may reduce inflammation and the symptoms of arthritis and gout. Studies have shown that cherrys’ anti-inflammatory properties are particularly effective in battling both the symptoms and the underlying causes of these illnesses. In several studies, participants reported relief from symptoms in just a few days, and the likelihood of recurrence dropped significantly.
Another of the top 10 health benefits of cherries is that they are low on the Glycemic index and high in fiber. Currently, several studies show promise that cherries contain anti-diabetic properties when consumed in proper portions.
Cherries are a good source of fiber which is very important for digestive health. The fiber in cherries fuels the beneficial bacteria in your gut and promotes bowel regularity.
Because of their powerful anti-inflammatory benefits, cherries can act to reduce pain. Tart cherry juice is highly recommended for sore tendons and muscles suffering from overload. Clinical studies with professional athletes, long-distance runners, and tri-athletes proved that tart cherry juice after workouts assisted in muscle recovery and reduced soreness.
And the last of the top 10 health benefits of cherries is that they can help protect your heart. Cherries are rich in compounds, nutrients, and minerals such as potassium that promote heart health.
These top 10 health benefits of cherries are all excellent reasons to add cherries to your diet regularly. Cherries health benefits and great taste make them an easy addition to a healthy diet. You can eat a handful of cherries for a quick and healthy snack.
People looking to add tasty and nutritious ingredients to their daily diets should look to cherries as they are easily added to savory and sweet dishes. Cherries are often used in meat dishes, sauces, loaves of bread, and course, desserts, to name a few. So consider these top 10 health benefits of cherries and start adding them to your diet today.
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