Cherries – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

These plump, red treats make for a great snack. Whether they’re sweet or sour, cherries are favorites especially during the summer. These petite stone fruits burst with flavor and nutrition that are helpful in keeping you healthy and disease-free.

List of known nutrients

• Anthocyanidins
• Biotin
• Calcium
• Copper
• Ellagic acid
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Malic acid
• Manganese
• Niacin
• Pectin
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Proanthocyanidins
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C

Medicinal uses for cherries

If you’re suffering from insomnia, tart cherries are ideal for you because these contain melatonin, a hormone that helps lower the body’s temperature which aids in inducing sleep. Cherries can also help balance blood pressure because of their potassium content. Potassium balances the fluids in the body, which helps offset the blood-pressure-raising effects of sodium. Additionally, it boasts of quercetin, an antioxidant that helps relax blood vessels. People who regularly eat cherries are found to have less hypertension.

You can also shed off those unwanted pounds by including cherries in your diet. Scientists at the University of Michigan Health System studied rats that were put on a high-fat diet and supplemented with either a tart cherry powder or the same number of calories from a carbohydrate. The group that received the tart cherry powder gained less weight. It’s found that the anthocyanins in tart cherries activate a molecule that speed up the fat burning process.

Cherries can also help prevent colon cancer. They are rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals and eliminate toxins from the body. Studies have shown that compound present in cherries have effectively reduced the growth of colon cancer cells in humans. Furthermore, the antioxidants help slow the signs of aging and keep the heart healthy.

Got gout? Cherries help decrease levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker, making cherries useful in treating this painful condition, which is characterized by swelling, tenderness, and inflammation. These can also relieve muscle pains. Other conditions that will benefit from cherries include excessive seminal emissions, lumbago, paralysis, cystitis, osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, bladder stones, blood stagnation, numbness, fever, and arteriosclerosis.

Body systems that are supported by cherries

Cherries offer a safe and effective way to prevent, treat, and provide relief for certain conditions. Flavonoids, the compounds found in most fruits and vegetables, are effective in fighting free radicals, therefore helping the body’s immune system. The anthocyanins present are also helpful in alleviating muscle pain acquired from intensive exercises and joint pain.

Protect your heart with cherries. These can help control blood pressure. They offer a high concentration of anthocyanins that lower cholesterol levels and minimize inflammation so you have a lesser risk for stroke and even diabetes. Although cherries contain higher sugar, cherries have very low glycemic index. These are known to improve blood sugar in diabetics.

You can also use cherries to achieve healthy and beautiful skin. Their vitamin content makes helps keep skin looking radiant. Cherries are also great for clearing darks post on the skin and aid in skin lightening. Use it long enough and you should see a more rejuvenated skin.

Ways to use cherries

There’s no shortage of amazing ways on how you can enjoy cherries. Here are some recipes that should try at home.

Where to learn more

• Cherries a superfood? Research confirms this well-known fruit tackles cancer, insomnia, high blood pressure and gout
• Cherries are an inexpensive natural remedy for pain
• Cherries help prevent gout, study shows
• Cherries found to be a natural sleep aid
• Cherries may help you sleep better

Summary

Cherries prevent colon cancer.

Cherries can help induce sleep.

Cherries support effective weight loss and keep you from packing on additional pounds.

Cherries can keep the heart healthy, skin looking good, and muscles free from soreness.

Cherries can boost the immune system to keep you from getting sick easily.

Sources include:

Eatingwell.com

StyleCraze.com

LiveStrong.com

Nutrition-and-You.com