Does anyone NOT like cherries? This delicious fruit is one of the true joys of summer - shame they're too expensive to be an everyday treat. But add up the health benefits and it's worth shelling out on a punnet at least once a week while they're in season. Here's why:
- ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: Cherries help alleviate inflammation of joints and muscles, easing post-exercise pain for regular runners.
- MEMORY BOOSTER: Cherries contain a powerful antioxidant called anthocyanin, which plays a key role in strengthening the brain to prevent memory loss.
- VITAMINS: Cherries are bursting with vitamins, including beta carotene (they boast 19 times the amount you get from blueberries and strawberries), vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fibre and folate.
- WEIGHT LOSS: A diet containing cherries can aid weight loss as they are low-glycemic, low-calorie and consist of more than 75% water, making them a great snack.
- SLEEP INDUCER: It's well known now that cherries are rich in the hormone melatonin, which can help influence and regulate our natural sleep patterns.
Cherries out of season? Try adding a splash of concentrated cherry juice (we have tried and liked Cherrygood Plus, for example) to a glass of water or a homemade smoothie.
