We just added a couple of young cherry trees to our property and are already dreaming of the day we harvest our very own cherries. The amazing taste and health benefits make the picking worth every minute. There are so many health benefits to eating cherries or drinking real cherry juice that you’ll want to read on to learn more.
Antioxidant Powerhouse: According to the University of Michigan, one cup of freeze-dried tart cherries has an ORAC value greater than 10,000, making it extremely high on the list of antioxidant-rich foods. The researchers found that tart cherries have a wide diversity and a unique combination of phytochemicals that boost their antioxidant function.
Arthritis Alleviator: In an analysis of studies on cherries, researchers found that 5 out of 5 studies of the fruit on arthritis demonstrated benefits to arthritis study participants.
Blood Pressure Reduction: A new study published in the medical journal Nutrients found that drinking around one half of a quart of tart cherry juice daily reduced high blood pressure in the study participants.
Cholesterol Reducer: The same study found a reduction in cholesterol levels among those drinking the juice.
Exercise Recovery: Research published in the European Journal of Sport Science found that tart cherry accelerated the healing of exercise-induced muscle damage.
Gout Healer: Tart cherry juice and tart cherries are well-known for their ability to alleviate the pain and inflammation of gout—a form of arthritis that primarily affects the big toe.
Heart Healer: In a series of 3 studies published by the University of Michigan, researchers found that tart cherries reduced cardiovascular disease risk and heart-damaging inflammation.
Inflammation Suppression: The study in Nutrients also found that drinking tart cherry juice resulted in a 25% reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP)—a marker for inflammation and frequently a precursor to heart disease, as well as a reduction in inflammation.
Nutrition Booster: Cherries are nutritional powerhouses that contain a wide variety of phytochemicals, which literally means plant chemicals, including: anthocyanins, flavonoids (such as quercetin), chlorogenic acid,
Osteoporosis Aid: Another study published in the journal Nutrients found that tart cherry juice significantly prevented bone loss and may therefore be helpful in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. What’s more: a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that tart cherry actually increased bone mineral density.
Prebiotic Gut Benefits: According to research published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, tart cherries and tart cherry juice act as prebiotics in the gut, meaning they provide food for beneficial bacteria to ensure their growth and ability to multiply.
Sleep Inducer: In a study published in the American Journal of Therapeutics, researchers found that drinking 8 ounces of tart cherry juice in the morning and again 1 to 2 hours before promoted sleep among those suffering from insomnia. The juice was so effective that the insomniacs slept an average of one hour and 24 minutes more, on average, each night while incorporating the beverage into their daily regimes.
Weight Loss Booster: Because tart cherry juice reduces inflammation, it may come as no surprise that it reduces inflammation linked to obesity, suggesting the fruit and the beverage made from it may be a helpful addition in weight loss programs.
While most of the studies were conducted on tart cherries, sweet cherries also offer many health benefits. It’s easy to get more cherries into your diet. There are fresh, frozen, freeze-dried powders, juice, and dried cherries to choose from. Add fresh, frozen, or dried powders into your smoothies. Drink the juice, preferably diluted with equal parts of water, and snack on the dried cherries or add them to leafy green or quinoa salads.
Michelle
Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM, RNCP, ROHP, is an international best-selling & 21-time published book author, and a celebrity nutritionist. Check out her latest e-book: FOOD FIX: The Most Powerful Healing Foods and How to Use Them to Overcome Disease, available now for immediate download. Her work has been featured in Woman's World, First for Women, Huffington Post, Reader's Digest, WebMD, Reviews.com, and Thrive Global. Learn more about her work at DrMichelleCook.com.