We already know the health benefits of some of the most popular fruits we eat—bananas for potassium, citrus fruits for Vitamin C, and apples for fiber. But what benefits do we get from cherries? Just the joy of eating these delicious yet nutritious globes of fruit is satisfying enough that you probably never cared to ask what good they do for your body. So, in celebration of National Cherry Month, let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of cherries.
What are Some of the Health Benefits of Cherries?
There are so many benefits, but here are just a few:
1. Low Glycemic Index
When you’re craving something sweet to eat, cherries are a great go-to because they have a lower glycemic than many other fruits like grapes, peaches, and blueberries. While most of these fruits have a glycemic index of 40 and higher, cherries have a glycemic index of 22. This is great news for people with diabetes who have to watch their sugar consumption.
2. Better ZZZZZZs
Cherry juice has proven to boost melatonin if consumed 30 minutes after waking and 30 minutes before dinner, as seen in this study. Melatonin is the chemical in our brains that helps regulate our sleep cycles. Cherries have also been found to help with jet lag.
3. Less Belly Blubber
Imagine this—something so tasty and enjoyable can actually reduce belly fat. Evidence found that cherries can actually help prevent weight gain even on a high fat diet. Bowl of cherries, anyone?
4. Brain Boost
Cherries have a lot of antioxidants and are listed as one of the memory boosting foods by the Alzheimer’s Association. Ever wonder why certain fruits take on certain colors? In the instance of cherries, their dark red color comes from their high anthocyanin content, which are antioxidants.
5. Helps Regulate Blood Pressure
Many people automatically go to bananas for their fill of potassium, but cherries also contain a sufficient amount of potassium to help regulate heart rate and blood pressure. They are also good for reducing the risk of hypertension and lowering bad cholesterol levels.
For more on health benefits of different foods, read Hospitality Health ER’s blog on healthy lunches for kids and immune system boosters.
