There are some things we eat because we love them without really having any idea just how good they are for us. Cherries, along with many other berries, fall into this category.
Both the sweet and tart varieties are high in antioxidants which help our bodies to fight diseases. They also contain anthocyanins which have anti-inflammatory properties to reduce swelling and pain. 20 cherries are more potent than aspirin or ibuprofen. They are high in fiber, Vitamins A, B-complex and C, and are a good source of boron, calcium, iron, magnesium, melatonin, potassium and quercetin. They are low in calories and sodium and have no fat.
Cherries are excellent for reducing swelling and pain associated with arthritis, gout and exercise induced muscle soreness, help to fight cancer and heart disease and are good for diabetes as they’ve been found to reduce blood sugar levels and increase production of insulin.
Fresh cherries are delicious just as they are but they also make for great fillings in pastries and pies. I buy frozen ones off-season to use in smoothies.
One additional note: Don’t avoid the skins as that’s where the majority of the anthocyanins are.