Are Cherries Actually Good for You?

cherries

Cherries are small, round soft stone fruits that are usually bright or dark red and full of tasty goodness that many have come to adore.

There are two main categories tart and sweet. From their vibrant colors to their delicious taste, some may wonder if cherries are actually good for you. Let us uncover the pleasures and perils of cherries.

What´s in a cherry?

Cherries stem from the genus Prunus plants. They are rich in vitamin C. Raw sour cherries contain 50% more vitamin C per 100 g and about 20 times more vitamin A than sweet cherries. They are delicious and nutritious.

Cherries are one of the most protective food sources. Their antioxidants (slow down aging) and anti-inflammatory properties ward off chronic diseases.

Cherries fall under the category of fruits with the deepest or brightest colors which seem to offer wonderful health benefits.

Interesting facts

The cherry tree starts to produce fruit 3-4 years after planting.

The tree reaches maturity after seven years.

Cherries are very low in calories.

Not all cherry trees produce fruit.

Cherry blossoms are an unofficial national flower in Japan.

In 1912, Japan gave the US a gift of over 3,000 cherry blossom trees.

The average cherry tree produces around 7,000 cherries.

Cherries contain 80% water and can keep the body hydrated.

The health benefits of cherries

Cherries are full of nutritional goodness with vitamins A, B, C, and K, manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc, iron, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Cherries offer many health benefits, such as:

potassium rich (aids in muscle contraction, and nerve function)
excellent source of fiber (bowel regularity)
high in polyphenols (to fight cellular damage)
may boost exercise recovery ( tart cherries are more effective)
may accelerate muscle recovery
may enhance exercise performance
may reduce the risk of heart disease
may improve symptoms of arthritis
may improve symptoms of gout
may help improve your quality of sleep
may ward off chronic diseases
high in serotonin (may support your mood and well-being)
promote gum and teeth health

cherry drink

What are some easy ways to add cherries to your diet?

Natural state

You can eat cherries as is in their natural state.

Trail mix

Try a homemade trail mix with cherries, coconut flakes, cranberries, almonds, and walnuts.

Oatmeal

You can add fresh cherries to your oatmeal for added flavor.

Pudding

Try adding fresh cherries to chia pudding.

Fruit salad

Cherries can add flavor to any fruit salad.

Yogurt

You can add cherries to plain Greek salad.

Smoothies

Try cherries, bananas, and strawberry smoothies.

Barbecue sauce

You can make homemade cherry barbeque sauce for meat/poultry dishes.

Are cherries good for your skin?

Cherry juice can be extremely useful for some skin conditions like fading dark spots. Cherries can:

lighten and clear dark spots
may help fight signs of aging
can protect from free radicals
may treat acne and rosacea
can moisturize and soothe damaged skin.

Fade wrinkles

(may reduce wrinkles and fine lines naturally)

Take a handful of cherries.
Mash and form into a paste.
Add one tablespoon of organic honey.
Apply to your face for 15 minutes.
Rinse off.

Skin rejuvenation

(rejuvenate dull skin, give skin a healthy glow)

Crush the flesh of a handful of cherries with a fork.
Add two tablespoons of plain yogurt.
Leave on the face for 15 minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Brighten skin

Add one tablespoon of instant oatmeal to 2 tablespoons of cherry juice.
Mix into a paste.
Leave it on your face for 5 minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water.

For oily skin

(use sour cherries)

Mash cherries with a fork.
Apply to face.
Leave it on for 5 minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Find more skin care tips here.

Conclusion

Cherries contain health and beauty benefits and are ideal for draining and detoxifying the body. The consumption of cherries can strengthen and protect your hair. Some people may be allergic to cherries.

Overeating cherries may cause some side effects like an upset stomach, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, bloating and gas, and diarrhea. Though these symptoms may be very rare, it is possible in some people.

The moral of the story is not to depend on one food source for all your nutritional needs; moderation is key. Commit to eating as many different fruit/vegetables and not just your favorites. Do not exceed more than two servings of cherries of 100 g per day.

A healthy diet is never based on individual foods. A healthy lifestyle involves a combination of all healthy foods and does not depend on one food source alone, no matter how incredible the health benefits are.

Healthy foods are stronger and work better together, not apart. Adding a healthy variety of nutrient-dense foods into your diet is one of the best gifts you can give your immune system.

2 thoughts on “Are Cherries Actually Good for You?”

Fras says:
August 26, 2022 at 9:02 pm
I love cherries. But do not get the chance to eat them very often, as I’d assumed that other fruits were more nutritious.
Now that I have learned that there are so many health benefits to eating cherries, I will be buying them much more often. I enjoy sweet cherries, but perhaps I should consume the sour ones too!
Thank you for your informative article.
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1. Dana says:
  August 26, 2022 at 9:19 pm
  Hey Fras,
  Thank you for reading the article and for your feedback.
  I, too, enjoy cherries, and I love to get them in season. I like making homemade cherry juice which I alternate using both sweet and tart cherries.
  Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains offer us many benefits. They are rich in nutrients and help improve our immune systems. It is no wonder that experts advise us to eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
  Stay tuned; we post new weekly articles.
  Cheers,
  Dana
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