I’ve developed a new-found love for cherries in recent months. I can remember visiting my sister, who has a cherry tree in her back yard, and thinking “What a mess!” There were cherries all over the ground and deck. The kids were stomping through them and tracking cherry juice all over the place.
Now I envy my sister for having access to such an amazing fruit right at her finger tips.
Cherries seem to be a forgotten superfood. They are a fantastic source of a specific antioxidant called anthocyanin. Anthocyanins have many possible preventative characteristics and offer a dramatic contribution to our overall health. Let’s take a peek at how they benefit our health.
Pain and inflammation reduction
The anti-inflammatory effect of anthocyanins could support and improve various health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, gout and diabetes
Lowers oxidative stress
The oxidative stresses we face on a daily basis, both natural and environmental, are prominent factors which can lead to ailments like neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disease and cancer. The anthocyanins in cherries work to reduce the effects of oxidative stress and provide significant protection against these illnesses. The risk of colon cancer, specifically, has been seen to be greatly reduced with the support of anthocyanins.
Improve Muscle damage symptoms
The lowering effect on oxidative stress, as well as the reduction of inflammation, both help to alleviate symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage.
Regulate and improve sleep patterns
Cherries are one of the only naturally occurring foods which contain melatonin. Melatonin is an antioxidant hormone which works to maintain our bodies sleep patterns and biorhythm. Although our bodies naturally produce melatonin in the pineal gland, cherries can help to re-establish an imbalance and help with sleep and jet lag.
Vitamins and Minerals
Cherries are a rich source of vitamin C (another antioxidant), as well as magnesium, potassium, folate, iron and fiber.
As with all of my posts about fruits and vegetables, I encourage you to source out the best organic, local options. As good as cherries may be, we don’t want to be consuming them if they’ve been heavily sprayed with carcinogenic chemicals which will not only counteract the beneficial effect, but will contribute to worse health. So get out there and enjoy a few handfuls of this delicious superfruit!
Ha….now I know what you really think
Unfortunately the cherries only last about two weeks, but we eat our fill during that time. There’s definitely nothing like home grown cherries!
One day I’ll have a cherry tree just like yours!
Our cherry season is wrapping up in Vancouver now. I think we probably got our last batch of Organic Okanagan cherries this past weekend at the market.
Bring on the plums and peaches, though!