Helen’s Diet Blog

Cherries belong to the plum family and are available right from the Stone Age days. It is a seasonal fruit and is distantly related to peach and nectarine group of fruits. Cherries are largely grown in the United States. This little red fruit also known for ruby red color offer several benefits other than the great taste. Cherries are divided into two main groups. They are sweet cherries and sour cherries. Sour cherries are rich in Vitamin C and beta-carotene. Montgomery is the famous sour variety. Bing, Rainer, Royal Ann and Lambert are some best-known sweet cherries.

Cherries are good source of health promoting compounds. There are seventeen natural compounds in tart cherries that include Vitamin A, beta-carotene and flavonoids (phenol compounds). Flavonoids help you have good cardiovascular health. Studies show that cherries have a specific compound called super oxide dismutase (SOD) that scavenges dangerous free radicals in the body.

Tart cherries contain melatonin, a potent antioxidant that significantly improves the body’s circadian rhythm and also help in sleep patterns. As humans age, the body’s ability to produce melatonin decreases, and therefore including cherries in the diet could ensure a healthy living.

A research that studies health benefit of cherries indicates that they help to prevent from cancer. They help reduce pain and inflammation from arthritis and gout. The other health benefit is cherries help promote weight loss. They also help prevent diabetes, heart diseases, lower the cholesterol levels and help prevent memory loss.

By consuming cherries in different forms one can get all the benefits that the fruit can offer. They can be eaten as fresh fruit or can be made into a juice and drink it. The cherries are also available in frozen or in dried form, yet they retain the nutritional value. They remain fresh for about a week when kept in a refrigerator and would be fresh for more than a year in the freezer.

Cherries can be part of your daily diet plan to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Dried cherries can be eaten as a quick snack or added to oatmeal to add sweetness. Cherry juice can be had along with your breakfast. Cherries can be added to fruit salad to add color and flavor. Adding poached cherry to low fat ice cream or yogurt will be a perfect topping. Adding it to children lunch box by chopping them and removing the pit would be great idea to include it in children’s diet.