What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Cherries Regularly
Cherries, a delicious and juicy fruit, are often celebrated for their sweet and tart flavors, especially in the warmer months.
But beyond their taste, cherries pack an impressive nutritional punch, offering various health benefits when included regularly in your diet. Let's take a look at what happens to your body when you eat cherries consistently.
Cherries are a low-calorie fruit, with about 50 to 80 calories per cup, depending on the variety. They are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Vitamin C plays a critical role in boosting your immune system, fighting off infections, and promoting healthy skin. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, ensuring that your heart remains healthy, while fiber promotes good digestive health.
Cherries, particularly tart cherries, are renowned for their high antioxidant content. They are rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids that give cherries their deep red color and have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells, leading to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
One of the standout benefits of cherries, especially tart cherries, is their ability to improve sleep quality. Cherries are a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Consuming cherries or cherry juice has been linked to better sleep duration and quality, making it a great natural sleep aid. Regular intake of cherries may help with sleep disorders like insomnia, providing a refreshing alternative to over-the-counter sleep medications.
Cherries can contribute to a healthy heart in various ways. Their high levels of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.