Background Info
The majority of sweet cherries are grown for fresh consumption, while 40 percent are processed as brined, canned, frozen, dried or used for juice. There are two types of cherries -- sweet cherries, which are most commonly seen at the grocery store, and tart cherries, also known as sour cherries. Research has shown that cherries provide many health benefits due in large part to their high levels of antioxidants.
Cherries contain beta carotene, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, fiber, and potassium, along with a very high concentration of antioxidants. Tart cherries have more vitamin C and beta carotene with fewer calories, so they are recommended most often for the health benefits of cherries, though both provide nutritional benefit.
Benefits
A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as either dried, frozen cherries or cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.
Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits - from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body's natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process.
A study from the University of Michigan reveals new evidence linking cherries to heart health benefits. The study found that a cherry-enriched diet lowered total weight, body fat (especially the important "belly" fat), inflammation and cholesterol-all risk factors associated with heart disease.
References
Cherries. America's "Super Fruit."