Are Cherries the new Super Food?

February is National Cherry Month!  Cherries and cherry juice have many health benefits for reducing inflammation and inflammatory-related conditions.  This is good news for arthritis sufferers and athletes in particular.  Research documented in “The Red Report” from the University of Michigan revealed that a diet including frozen or dried tart cherries or cherry juice reduced inflammation by up to 50%.  According to the report, more recent studies show that there could be sleep and heart-health benefits as well.

 

Already known for their high vitamin A and beta-carotene content, research suggests that it’s the bright red color of tart cherries that provides the anti-inflammatory benefits.  The antioxidants in cherries are believed to reduce the pain of arthritis and to help athletes’ muscles recover more quickly after strenuous activities.  Cherries might be the up-and-coming super food!

 

Tart cherries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants when compared to other “super foods”.  Tart cherries ranked in the top 20 foods for highest antioxidant content per serving size – surpassing popular foods and drinks such as red wine, dark chocolate and orange juice.

 

These little wonder fruits first came to America in the 1600s and were very much a part of French settlers’ gardens.  Mass cherry-production began much later – in the mid-1800s – in Michigan.  Today orchards in Michigan are still the top suppliers of the nation’s cherries.  Peak season for fresh Michigan tart cherries is typically in mid-late July, although they can be found year-round in frozen, dried and juice form.

You don’t need many cherries to have a full serving.  A serving is 1/2 cup of dried tart cherries, one cup of frozen or one cup of juice. 

Celebrate February by adding just one or two servings of tart cherries each day.  You might start noticing that your muscles are a little more pain-free.

Information based on The Red Report found at https://choosecherries.com/health/supporting-science.aspx.