Cherries nutritional benefits

Information on Cherries

Cherries are very beneficial for the human body because theyprovide numerous different types of health benefits. They are an excellentsource of essential minerals and vitamins and they also contain very lowamounts of calories and fats. They are very tasty and are sometimes referred toas the super fruit. Cherries are also known for contain large amounts ofantioxidant chemical compounds. Cherries come in two different varieties andthose are tart cherries and sweet cherries. They can be consumed in their rawform, but they may also be enjoyed in frozen form, dried form, or in the formof juice.

Nutritional Benefits of Cherries

The most important ingredient contained in the cherrieswhich are also responsible for the vast array of health benefits includeanthocyanins, perillyl, melatonin, ellagic acid, vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

Anthocyanins and Bioflavonoids

Anthocyanins and bioflavonoids are actually certain types ofpigments which are known for their potent antioxidant properties which kick inonce the pigments get ingested into the human body. They are very important inthe production of essential fatty acids within the human body. These pigmentsare also very efficient in protecting the cells in the human body by fightingthe free radicals and reducing the severity and the amount of damage theyusually cause. These two pigments may also come in very handy when it comes torelieving the painful sensations, reducing inflammatory conditions, enhancingthe functioning of the kidneys and reducing the risk of certain types ofcancer.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone which can befound in both animals and plants and it is very important for regular sleepcycle inside the human body. It may come in very handy when it comes torelieving insomnia and slowing down the process of aging. Tart cherries containmuch more melatonin than their sweet counterparts.

Vitamin C

Cherries are excellent sources of vitamin C, which meansthat they are very efficient in boosting the immune system and reducing therisk of stroke. The aforementioned perillyl and ellagic acid also play animportant role in the prevention of certain types of cancer.

Other Health Benefits of Cherries

Cherries can be of great help for all those who suffer fromrheumatoid arthritis and gout. They may also come in very handy for those whosuffer from constipation because they possess slight laxative properties.Cherries are also beneficial for weight loss.