Eating a healthy, varied diet is a good step toward overall wellness. Foods high in essential vitamins and minerals should be featured in most people’s diets, and one particular fruit is literally the cherry on top when it comes to nutritional value.

Cherries provide impressive health benefits. Whether tart or sweet, they are packed with nutrients. Here’s a look at some of their health advantages.

  • High in antioxidants: Cherries contain polyphenols and anthocyanins, which have antioxidant effects to help fight cell damage caused by harmful free radicals that lead to chronic diseases. Cherries also have vitamins A, C, and E. These plant compounds also play a crucial role in reducing inflammation throughout the body. This is encouraging news for people with arthritis or gout, who may find that eating cherries or drinking cherry juice helps relieve symptoms.  
  • Promote restful sleep: Tart cherries contain melatonin, serotonin, and tryptophan, which are known to help relax the body and regulate sleep-wake cycles.
  • Low Glycemic Index: Cherries are low-GI foods. The fiber in their skin slows the rise in blood sugar, making cherries a good choice for people with diabetes when eaten in moderation. Ongoing research is examining whether a diet including cherries can reverse prediabetes, says the Cleveland Clinic.  

It’s always best to thoroughly wash cherries to remove dirt and pesticide residue. WebMD states that cherry pits naturally contain small amounts of cyanide. You would have to eat a lot of crushed pits for them to be harmful, but it’s best to spit out the pits. Pits should be removed before giving cherries to children. Choose cherries with bright green stems, plump fruit, and a darker color, which tend to have a better flavor.