Cherries come in a variety of colors. The sweet, yellow Rainier cherry grows primarily in the Pacific Northwest and is not as sweet as the dark red cherry. It's perfect to be eaten by itself as a snack. The dark red cherry is what most people think of as the sweet cherry and is generally used to for eating plain. The sour, or tart, cherry's primary use is baking.
Cherries go far beyond just being used for snacks and desserts, though. They have powerful health benefits that should have you finding ways to incorporate them into your everyday diet. Here are 7+ health benefits to cherries and which type will give you the best results.
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1. Antioxidants. According to NDTV FOOD, cherries contain antioxidants that will help with sun spots. To get the best benefit, puree some and add a pinch of turmeric and 1 teaspoon honey. The darker the cherry, the more antioxidants it contains. Place the paste on your face and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
2. Gout. Help stave off gout attacks by incorporating 1/2 cup of tart cherries into your diet three times a day. HUFFPOST reports that those who eat these cherries have a 35 percent lower chance of having a gout attack.
3. Cancer. The dark red pigment in cherries contains the antioxidant called flavonoid. FOX NEWS states that cyanidin, a specific flavonoid, helps slow the rapid growth of cancer. The deeper the red color, the more of the flavonoid you will consume. This should not replace cancer treatments, but consuming cherries regularly just gives your body the upper hand.
4. Diabetes. For those who are at risk for diabetes or suffer from diabetes, Health shares how cherries help regulate glucose and insulin levels in the blood. Unlike many fruits, the sugar in cherries doesn't cause spikes and crashes in blood glucose and insulin, making these excellent snacks.
5. Insomnia. Insomnia is a real downer. NDTV FOOD reports that cherries contain melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. HUFFPOST recommends drinking 30 ml of cherrie juice 30 minutes after awaking and 30 minutes before dinner to boost your melatonin and get a better night's sleep.
6. Stroke. According to HUFFPOST, tart cherries contain anthocyanins which help regulate the fat and glucose levels in your blood. This regulating helps reduce the risk of strokes.
7. Blood Pressure. Potassium is a regulator for sodium in the blood stream. By regulating the sodium, you can lower your blood pressure. FOX NEWS shares that 1 cup of cherries has the same amount of potassium as a banana, so you can change up your "potassium snack."
8. Arthritis pain. Studies suggest that 100 percent cherry juice may help reduce osteoarthritis pain. Health recommends drinking a glass a day and seeing if you notice any improvement.
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With so many benefits to eating cherries, grab a slice of cherry pie tonight and enjoy it without guilt, remembering how many benefits you're getting from the tiny fruit inside.