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Cherries are an often overlooked food that is filled with nutrients that reduce inflammation, boost exercise recovery, raise energy levels, help sleep, as well as may fight diseases, and protect heart health.
Cherries are far more than an ingredient in sweet desserts or a garnish for cocktails.
Cherries are packed with vitamins and minerals, are a rich source of polyphenols and anthocyanin flavonoids, and are an excellent source of fiber. They contain potassium, calcium, and vitamins A and C.
Cherries are credited with helping diseases such as heart, diabetes, and gout.
Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants and cherries are rich in them. They have the flavonoid anthocyanin. These plant-based micronutrients have been shown to help reduce chronic inflammation.
Cherries can also boost recovery time after exercise while reducing post-workout damage to avoid muscle soreness. While berries are often touted for this because of their high degree of anthocyanins, cherries contain 6.8 milligrams, more than any other berry.
The nutrients in cherries also promote good bacteria growth in your gut, while limiting harmful bacteria, which is also essential to a strong immune system function.
Cherries contain high concentrations of melatonin, a hormone that is found naturally in the body. It is commonly prescribed in pill form to treat insomnia or other conditions that affect sleep. A handful of cherries at bedtime can give you a natural, melatonin-rich source. Melatonin has been shown to have other benefits, such as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory characteristics, boosting immunity, anticancer activity, cardiovascular protection, anti-diabetic, anti-obese, neuroprotective, and anti-aging activity.
Polyphenols can improve heart health by assisting in managing blood pressure levels and keeping your blood vessels healthy and flexible, while promoting good circulation, according to research. This may lower your risk factors for heart disease.
Gout is an arthritic-based disease brought on by uric acid buildup. Flareups can be excruciatingly painful. Many gout sufferers swear by tart cherry juice for reducing the frequency of gout symptoms and flareups.
Consuming at least 10 cherries per day reduced the risk of gout attacks by 35 percent, according to a 2012 study. Cherries reduce uric acid because they contain anthocyanins, according to the study. A combination of cherries and allopurinol, a medication that reduces uric acid, reduced the risk of gout attacks by 75 percent, Health Line reported.
