Cherries are very rich in antioxidants and dietary soluble fiber, nutrients that help lower cholesterol and assist in losing weight, thereby also fighting heart disease.  Low in calorie, they are ideal as snack food for diabetics who wish to maintain optimal blood sugar levels throughout the day.  Cherries have also been traditionally used by folk healers as a remedy for gout.

 There are more than a thousand varieties of cherries worldwide.  The most popular sweet cherry in North America is Bing, and other dark colored varieties like Lamberts, which are bright crimson.  Queen Anne cherry is very sweet.  Sour varieties, or pie cherries, are smaller than their sweet counterparts.

 Health Benefits of Cherries

• Cancer fighter – Cherries are very rich in quercetin, a flavonoid with anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties, which are good in cancer prevention and treatment.  Dr. Joseph Mercola (with Sarah Potts), in an article entitled The Top Six Reasons Why Cherries are Naturally Good for You, writes that cherries contain ellagic acid, a naturally occurring plant nutrient “known as an anti-carcinogenic/anti-mutagenic compound.”  Dr. Mercola continues in writing that cherries contain perillyl alcohol (POH), which is “extremely powerful in reducing the occurrences of all types of cancer.” 
• For Weight Loss and Heart Health – The article Cherries: The New Antioxidant “Super Fruit” cites a study by the University of Michigan that “reveals new evidence linking cherries to heart health benefits.”  The study found that cherry-enriched diet “lowered total body weight, body fat (especially the important “belly” fat), inflammation and cholesterol,” which are all risk factors for heart disease. 
• For Migraines – The anthocyanins and bioflavonoids in cherries help reduce inflammation in the body, which is crucial in the treatment of migraine headaches.  These nutrients in cherry are known to have a similar activity to aspirin or ibuprofen.
• For Gout – Traditional folk healers and alternative health practitioners have been advocating sour cherries for the treatment of gout.  These alternative healers sometimes suggest wild chokecherry juice to prevent or ease gout attacks.  Research suggests that cyanidin in cherries has an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps reduce swelling and pain due to gout.
• For Lower Cholesterol – High in the dietary soluble fiber, pectin, cherries help control blood cholesterol levels.
• For Diabetics and Blood Sugar Control – Sour cherries have a low glycemic index, which makes them ideal snack food for diabetics, as they have minimal impact on blood sugar levels.  But with any food or drink, moderation is the key to successfully controlling blood sugar.

 Cherries, touted as “the new antioxidant super fruit” packs a variety of nutrients that help fight cancer, assisting in weight loss and lowering cholesterol, thereby leading to a healthy heart.  Low in glycemic index, cherries are good as snack food for diabetics.  Anti-inflammatory properties in cherries have made it a traditional remedy for gout, and also as an alternative medicine for migraine headaches.  But before venturing into alternative healing, consult your physician or other health experts.

 Sources:

 The Top Six Reasons Why Cherries are Naturally Good for You. Dr. Joseph Mercola with Sarah Potts.  Mercola.com: Take Control of Your Health. (website) Accessed January 6, 2012.

 The article Cherries: The New Antioxidant “Super Fruit”.  Cherries (choosecherries.com) website.  Accessed January 6, 2012.

 Foods that Harm, Foods that Heal. The Reader’s Digest. 2004.  New York. 416 pages.  Hardbound.

 Cherries Photo by Benson Kua at Flickr.com

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.