Cherries are Not Only a Treat, they are Healthy
I look at the boxes of cherries prominently displayed in the fruit and vegetable shop and think I would like to buy some of them, but the price seems expensive at $20 a kilo and think I will wait a bit longer for the local cherries to arrive. I have always been fond of cherries, remembering as a 12 year old I picked cherries on a property in Blackburn, not far from here, and they were 'free'.
Are cherries good for you? My answer is that richly coloured fruits and vegetables are definitely good for you. This has always been the case and is especially true for cherries.
Evidence from published reports indicates that consumption of cherries reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, exercise-induced muscle soreness and loss of strength.
Limited numbers of published reports also indicate beneficial effects of consuming cherries on arthritis, diabetes, sleep and cognitive functions.
Cherries are full of antioxidants as shown by their rich colour
Cherries are a potent source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as polyphenols and the richly coloured anthocyanins. These cellular compounds slow down aging and ward off chronic illnesses.
Cherries protect against diabetes
The anti-inflammatory effect of cherries helps keep your body healthy; but what's more, cherries rank lower than many fruits on the glycemic index. That means they don’t trigger spikes and crashes in your blood sugar and insulin levels. This makes them both protective against diabetes, and important for managing the condition if you already have it.
Cherries promote healthy sleep
Tart cherries in particular are one of the few food sources of melatonin, a hormone that helps control your sleep-wake cycles. One study in men and women with insomnia found that compared to a placebo, eight ounces of tart cherry juice in the morning and again one to two hours before bed increased sleep time by an hour and 24 minutes.
Cherries reduce post-exercise pain. This is of interest to all who exercise in gyms.
Their is evidence that cherries also protect against the cellular wear and tear from exercise, and help support muscle recovery. For this reason tart cherry juice is popular with professional and competitive athletes. But it can help anyone who’s regularly active.
Geoff