Cherries are a very popular snack. They are delicious and go very well with desserts, or to accompany other foods such as natural yogurt and fruit salads. But something that is perhaps even more important is that it is one of the healthiest fruits you can eat.
Health benefits of cherries
A serving of cherries can be about a cup, or about 21 cherries if you don't have a measuring cup handy. In each serving, there are less than 100 calories and a large amount of nutrients and vitamins.
It is also essential to mention the cherry pit, as it must be removed before eating. This can be tricky if you don't know of an easy way to do it. After discussing the health benefits of cherries, you will learn how to pit a cherry easily.
1. They are full of antioxidants
Cherries contain anthocyanins, phytochemicals, hydroxycinnamic acid, and perilyl alcohol. All of these components work together to provide powerful antioxidants. The benefits of antioxidants are that they reduce inflammation and can promote the self-destruction of cancer cells.
2. Cherries are a good source of vitamin C
In one serving of this fruit, there is 18% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is vital for a healthy immune system and healthy skin.
3. This fruit contains a large amount of fiber and potassium
With a serving of cherries, you will get 3.2 grams of fiber. This makes them a food rich in fiber, which can help lower cholesterol, promote digestive health, and have many other health benefits.
Plus, you can get 9% of the RDA for potassium. This is essential because many of your organs need potassium to function properly, including your heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles. Potassium also reduces the risk of stroke, hypertension, and high blood pressure.
4. They can reduce the risk of cancer
More specifically, cherries could reduce the risk of colorectal, pharyngeal, mouth, larynx and lung cancer. The nutrients and minerals found in this fruit work together to fight cancer cells.
5. This fruit offers protection against diabetes
The main reason they offer protection against diabetes is because of their low range on the glycemic index. Because of this, they do not cause blood sugar and insulin levels to rise. If you already have diabetes, this fruit can help you control it for the same reasons that it protects other people from it.
6. They can improve your sleep cycle
This fruit is a good source of melatonin, especially when it is sour. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycles, and when your melatonin is low, you may not sleep very well.
7. This fruit can offer relief from osteoarthritis
Studies have shown that consuming cherries or cherry juice regularly can reduce joint pain in people with arthritis. However, make sure the liquid is 100% cherry juice, as additives can cause problems and inflammation.
8. Reduce the risk of gout flares
Millions of people in the world suffer from gout, which is inflammatory arthritis. Flare-ups occur when uric acid crystallizes in the joints, causing extreme pain and swelling. Consuming this fruit for a couple of days can lower the risk of an outbreak, and consuming it regularly has even more significant results.
9. They can lower cholesterol levels
Every small reduction in cholesterol doubles your risk of heart disease. Also, having high cholesterol, especially the LDL type (which is the worst type) is one of the main causes of a heart attack.
10. This fruit decreases the amount of pain you feel after exercise
Anyone who exercises knows post-workout pain. Eating this fruit reduces this pain and at the same time protects your cells from the wear and tear caused by exercise. It also helps promote muscle recovery.
Cherry juice and fresh cherry are so popular for these reasons that professional athletes and bodybuilders regularly consume 100% cherry juice. It also helps amateur athletes or just those who exercise in their spare time.
11. They can help with weight loss
As stated above, this food is low in calories, which can help you lose weight. However, it goes beyond that, as consuming them regularly can decrease the amount of fat in your blood, reduce the percentage of fat in your body, and help with belly fat.
12. Contains good amounts of potassium
In one serving of this fruit, you will get about 9% of your required daily amount of potassium. This allows your organs to function properly and leads to heart, kidney, brain, and muscle health.
Making sure you get the amount of potassium you need each day can help lower your risk of stroke and can help your body regulate high blood pressure and blood pressure. It also reduces muscle cramps and can also help strengthen muscles.
13. Helps improve eye health
By adding this fruit to your diet, you will prevent your eyesight from getting worse and may even improve your vision. This is because one serving contains a large amount of beta-carotene, which is a direct link to maintaining eyesight.
14. This fruit protects the brain
The anthocyanins found in cherries have properties that protect against neurodegenerative problems. This can protect against disorders like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. Another neurological disorder it can protect against is cerebral ischemia, a disorder that causes a reduction in the blood supply to the brain.
15. Protects against metabolic syndrome
The same anthocyanins that protect the brain also protect your body from metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is actually more than one condition, and can include high triglycerides, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, high blood pressure, and being overweight. Left unchecked, metabolic syndrome can lead to diabetes.
Coming to the food options, there is no single belly-busting food that can help you. However, what’s needed is that you become smarter with the choices you make. A good way to start off would be by making some simple meal swaps or cutting out your regular snacks. Liquid calories could be a big contributor too. Ditch out sugary drinks, alcohol and heavy smoothies for simpler, low-calorie drinks.