Top 5 Health Benefits of Cherries!

While Cherries are primarily grown in Turkey, the sweetest batch are produced in California, USA. They are popular with young children because of the sweet and sour taste blend they deliver and due to their deep red appearance, they also provide us a rich mixture of antioxidants and vitamins. Has this statement caught your attention? Allow me to enlighten you on the Top 5 Health Benefits of Cherries!

1. Reduce gout risk
It has been shown that having ½ a cup of cherries per day reduces the risk of developing gout by up to 35%. The reason behind this is that cherries regulate the amount of uric acid in the bloodstream, which can form uric crystals around the joints. Even having 5-6 cherries a day can help regulate the levels of uric acid in the body.

2. Encourages sleep
Cherries are rich in melatonin, a chemical that helps us drift into an easy sleep and be more refreshed in the morning. Having a handful of cherries a week will likely have a noticeable effect on your sleep patterns and also give your skin a healthy glow.

3. Reduces risk of stroke
The tarter the cherry, the richer the cardiovascular benefits are. The reason for this is because the pigment found inside cherries activates a chemical called PPAR, (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors) which reduces triglyceride levels. It’s also involved in regulation of energy homeostasis which helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and improve the elasticity of the arteries.

4. Helps with muscle pain
Drinking cherry juice before and after a workout can reduce inflammation of the muscles and soreness. This was tested with a group of marathon runners before and after running the distance and it was found that the runners that consumed the juice didn’t experience much, or any sort of muscle stiffness or tenderness.

5. Burn stomach fat
If you are looking to reveal your abs or get a toned stomach, cherries can help you achieve that goal. By consuming a cup of the fruit per day can help reduce the amount of fatty deposits in the bloodstream. The fruit’s high antioxidant properties can also help burn abdominal fat and aid digestion, making it an excellent post-exercise food.

Cherries can be found in powder, dried and juiced form as well as inside, yep, Lindt Chocolate! All of these are available from a range of shops. If you find the fruit on its own a bit plain, why not this yummy smoothie recipe in the video above? Let us know how you get your cherry fix below or @ KeepfitKingdom !

Francesca Gregori

Franki is a nutrition student currently undergoing her second year at Bournemouth University. Originally from London, she has a passion for anything health, food and well-being related; she enjoys reading, baking and experimenting with different recipes. In addition to trying out new exercises and workouts in the gym, she loves to read up on recent topics in the nutrition field and walks along the coastline.

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