Health Benefits of Cherries

Cherries are smooth fruits that display a single weak groove. This is native to Northern Hemisphere and is found more in temperate climate. Cherry is derived from a Latin word, cerasum. Sour cherry, wild cherry and sweet cherry are the most commonly cultivated varieties. The former is the most common variety used in cooking. Cherry is never cross-pollinated and is primarily grown for consumption. There are many health benefits of cherries that are discussed in the following lines.

Health Benefits of Cherries:

There are several health benefits associated with cherry fruits. Following are some of the important benefits of cherry:

• Researchers have done a lot of research on the extensive use of cherries on combating cancer. Researchers revealed that consumption of cherry is very beneficial particularly to fight organ cancers.
• Antioxidants present in cherries help in flushing out free radicals or the unstable molecules that are responsible for cell damage in the body. Also it is believed that it slows down the aging process.
• According to the recent studies, anthocyanin (red pigment in cherries) aids in reducing the pain and inflammation.
• Also it is believed that cherries reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Also studies revealed that people who take cherry in the form of supplement or the fruit itself in their diet show low levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.
• If you consume a cup of cherries every day it gives relief from the discomfort associated with gout and arthritis.
• Cherry has lower amounts of fat and rich in water content. If consumed regularly, it boosts up energy levels and also modifies metabolism for weight loss. This is also used as a natural remedy for some physiological problems and fibromyalgia syndrome.
• High levels of potassium in cherries aids in controlling water retention and to treat connective tissue diseases and auto immune neuro-degenerative ailments.

Nutritional Values of Cherries:

Following are the nutritional values present in 100 grams of cherries

• Fat – 5 gm
• Phosphorus – 20 mg
• Iron – 4 mg
• Calcium – 18 mg
• Vitamin C – 8 mg
• Riboflavin – 0.06 mg
• Vitamin B – 0.05 mg
• Vitamin A – 620 IU
• Carbohydrates – 14.8 gm
• Calories – 61
• Protein – 0.5 gm