A cherry enriched diet will provide many important health benefits. Recent studies have found that a daily intake of cherries contain vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber, folate, and beta carotene. Â Studies show that tart cherries contain the highest level of disease fighting antioxidants compared to most other fruits. Cherries also contain melatonin which is an aid in promoting good sleep patterns, preventing aging and memory loss.
The American Heart Association claims that weight that is carried most particularly around the middle area is a sign of heart disease. Studies show that consumption of cherries will lower weight and overall body fat, along with lowering cholesterol levels. Other evidence links cherries to reducing risk of diabetes and cancer. Cherry consumption has been known to ease gout and pain that comes from arthritis. Cherries have ten times more the affect than one aspirin. The role that cherries play are an important factor in disease management and prevention.
Athletes such as runners and body builders that have experienced sore muscles or aching joints should incorporate cherries into their diet in some form or another to relieve the stress and soreness. It has been recommended that consumption of cherries will prevent gout, which is an inflammation of the joints. Gout is caused from urate crystals combining with the joint fluid. Although all cherries are a great health benefit tart cherries surpass the sweet cherries in benefits as they contain sources of anthocyanins and flavonoids. The deeper the red pigment the more plentiful the flavonoid . Generally speaking the darker the skin of the cherry the higher the anthocyanin content as well. Most of the health benefits of the cherry are in the skin which is why research often refers to the colouring of the cherry skin. The list of benefits continues to grow:
- Reduce pain due to muscle damage
- Lowers cholesterol
- Lowers blood sugar
- Preventative to colon cancer
- Significant weight loss
- Reduce risk factors for heart disease
- Regulates sleep patterns
- High in fiber
The health benefits of cherries along with many other fruits cover most of the systems of the human body. The function of the cardiovascular system, digestive system, the immune system are all are all linked together to having a healthier functioning body. Although cherries are one of the first fruits to ripen and have the shortest season you can purchase cherries year round as a fresh fruit, dried fruit, cherry juice
The studies concerning cherries are still in early stages and are still undergoing additional research, the health benefits of eating cherries, both sweet and tart, and drinking cherry juice concentrate are numerous. By adding adequate amounts of tart cherries to your diet is an additional role you can take to help prevent disease and aid the body in prevention of disease and other ailments.
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