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8 reasons to eat more cherries this season

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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : July 21, 2014 5:29 PM IST

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CherriesCherries - the small red fruits are exceptional treat to taste. These tasty fruits are packed with many healthy nutrients, antioxidants and essential vitamins that make it a perfect snack to indulge. This small fruit works wonders on health by rendering varied health benefits making it an all-round food stuff with taste and health.

Here are few reasons why you should be eating them more religiously this year:

  • Anthocyanins: A powerful antioxidant, anthocyanins are found in pigment and cherries are pigment-rich fruits. The darker the fruit, the better they are for you, as these are the source of fruit and vegetables' rich, dark colours. These compounds are crammed with anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties.
  • Fibre: About ten cherries will provide the body with 1.4 grams of fibre, which is nearly 10 percent of an adult's RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance). (Read: 10 reasons you should eat fibre-rich foods)
  • Potassium: Cherries are extremely high in heart-healthy potassium, which regulates heart rate and blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertension and stroke, while promoting the heart and kidneys to function properly.
  • Antioxidants: Cherries are exceptionally rich in antioxidants such as lutein, zaexanthin and beta carotene. These compounds act as protective scavengers against harmful free radicals that play a role in aging, cancers and various diseases. (Read: 7 health benefits of antioxidant-rich foods)
  • Melatonin: Feeling tried but having trouble sleeping? Cherries are a rich food source of the hormone melatonin, which promotes healthy circadian rhythm and sleep patterns.
  • Essential Vitamins: There's no need to pop vitamin pills if you're feeling poorly. One cup of cherries provides 10.8mg of Vitamin C alongside beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin K. These vitamins are essential for collagen formation in the blood vessels, blood, muscles and bones. (Read: 10 natural sources of vitamin C)
  • Phytosterols: Phytosterols, also known as plant sterols, occur naturally in cherries. These help to reduce 'bad' cholesterol levels (LDL) to lower the risk of cancer, and stimulate the immune system.
  • Low in calories: One cherry is just four calories, so there's no need to feel guilty about finishing off a bag in one go.

Health benefits of cherries

Also Read

Not many know that sweet and tangy, red coloured, tiny seasonal fruit cherry contains plethora of health benefits. Experts say cherry not only helps reduce blood uric-acid levels, but also cures muscle pain. It also slows down the process of ageing and reduces skin problems like acne and vulgaris.

The health benefits of this fruit are:

1. Aid muscle recovery: According to a research, cherries contain anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce muscle pain, following rigorous exercise. A study by the Oregon Health and Science University in America also showed that athletes who drank cherry juice before a long-distance relay, experienced less muscle pain after the race than those who drank another fruit drink.

2. Help you sleep: Cherries contain melatonin, a chemical our brain needs to regulate sleep, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the ageing process. Scientists at the Northumbria University in Britain revealed that volunteers who drank cherry juice received a significant boost to their levels of melatonin.

3: Reduce gout: Cherry juice helps reduce blood uric-acid levels and gout pain. The chemicals called anthocyanins in cherries reduce inflammation to ease joint pain as well as the effects of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Read more about Health benefits of cherries

With inputs from IANS

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