Cherry nutrition benefits are one of the best, that’s why I call cherries super fruits. They are small yet so nutrient-dense. Some fruits are known for one outstanding health benefit. Cherries have already been identified for six outstanding health benefits!
6 Cherry Nutrition Benefits:
Cherry Nutrition Benefit #1
Anti-Inflammatory/Pain Relief: If you suffer from any joint or muscle pain, including arthritis, muscle pain or gout, then tart cherries are the fruit for you. The more tart ones are Montmorency or Balaton species of cherries. According to a UC Davis study, sweet Bing cherries also have anti-inflammatory effects.
Cherry Nutrition Benefit #2
Powerful Antioxidant: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial studies of tart Montmorency and Balaton cherries have shown that older adults drinking an 8-ounce glass of tart cherry juice twice a day for just 14 days showed a significant decrease in DNA damage.
Cherry Nutrition Benefit #3
Deep Restful Sleep Aid and Brain Cell Repair: Cherries, in particular the Montmorency and Balaton species, are high in melatonin with Montmorency cherries containing 6 times the amount of melatonin than Balanton cherries. Melatonin is not only an important powerful antioxidant for our brain, but it also regulates our ability to attain restorative and deep sleep. It helps repair our brain during sleep as well.
Cherry Nutrition Benefit #4
Anti-Cancer Compounds: Cherries contain ellagic acid, a naturally occurring plant phenolic known to have anti-carcinogenic/anti-mutagenic effects. Research studies presented in John Boik’s 2001 book titled “Natural Compounds in Cancer Therapy” indicate that ellagic acid may be the most effective way to prevent cancer. Cherries are also high in perillyl alcohol (POH), an extremely powerful substance known to decrease the occurrence of all types of cancer. POH inhibits cancer cell growth by depriving them of the proteins they need to grow.
Cherry Nutrition Benefit #5
Arterial Wall Protection: A “side benefit” of the powerful antioxidant effects of cherries is you get decreased oxidation of the “bad” cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) in your arterial walls. Decreasing oxidation of LDL (oxLDL) cholesterol is one of the vital approaches in preventing development and progression of heart disease.
Cherry Nutrition Benefit #6
Athletic Recovery and Performance Enhancement: Researchers at the University of Vermont found that “…consumption of tart cherry juice before and after eccentric exercise significantly reduced symptoms of muscle damage.”
With these cherry nutrition benefits and its versatility for use in salads, pies and other desserts, it is easy to enjoy as a summer treat. But the best treat you can give your body is simply to eat them plain.
With all of the above cherry nutrition benefits, cherries are one of the best foods to enjoy that support healthy aging.