Benefits Of Cherry

Cherries are popular because of their sweet and juicy characteristics, but more and more research suggests that cherries are extremely beneficial to your health too. The nutrients and bioactive components in cherries support their preventive health benefits; cherry intake is associated with the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory diseases and Alzheimer’s disease. The benefits of cherries come from their high levels of antioxidants that fight free radical damage and protect our cells. Recent research also indicates that cherries help remove excess body fat and increase melatonin, supporting a healthy sleep cycle.

The cherry is a fruit of the genus Prunus. There are two well-known types of cherries, the species derived from the Prunus avium (the sweet or wild cherry) and those derived from the Prunus cerasus (the sour cherry). These edible cherries are distinguished by having flower clusters and smooth fruit. They’re native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with two species in America, three in Europe and the remainder in Asia.

Irrigation, spraying, labor and their tendency to damage from rain and hail make cherries relatively expensive, but demand is still high for the fruit. The peak season for cherries is the summer months. In many parts of North America, they’re among the first tree fruits to ripen, while in Australia and New Zealand cherries are widely associated with Christmas because they peak in late December.