Eating whole, unprocessed foods without additives, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, grains and nuts, should be a way of life. This is the theme of this year’s National Nutrition Week, held in South Africa from 9 to 15 October. One of nature’s most alluring whole foods is surely the cherry, a complete package of flavour, charm and amazing health benefits. And the good news is that the local cherry season is just around the corner.
Why are cherries so good for you?
We all know that five portions of fruit and veg a day are what keep the doctor away. One portion of cherries is around a cup or up to 21 cherries. It’s no hardship to eat this many plump beauties when they’re fresh – and your body will thank you, too. Here’s why.
Cherries help fight diseases and support immune function
Though they’re small and sweet-looking, cherries are actually packed with antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body. (Free radicals are linked with cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.) One of the better-known of these antioxidants, vitamin C, also helps to support the normal function of the immune system and assists with the healing of the skin.
Cherries reduce inflammation
In contrast to this fighting spirit, cherries can also have a soothing side. Two of the kinds of antioxidants found in cherries, anthocyanins and cyanidin, have shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. That means a bowl of fresh cherries could be useful in managing arthritis, gout and joint pain – not to mention cheering up anyone who’s sore.
Cherries help the body recover from exercise
Research has found that drinking tart cherry juice before and during a high-impact running event reduced muscle pain and also helped with muscle recovery. Cherry juice is, therefore, a hit with pro athletes and exercise lovers. Got a hectic day ahead? You know what to put in your breakfast bowl or blender…
Cherries can help you sleep better
Cherries can help you give Sleeping Beauty a run for her title because they contain melatonin, the hormone that helps control sleep-wake cycles. Sleep research has found that tart cherry juice improves sleep both in quality and duration, and may help those who suffer from insomnia.
Cherries are low GI
The Glycemic Index (GI) measures how much a food boosts blood-glucose levels; a score of 55 or less is considered to be low (which is better). With a score of only 22, sour cherries rank lower than almost all other fruit, including apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, peaches, pears and watermelon, making these bonbons ideal for diabetics and those who are watching their sugar intake.
So make sure you put ruby-red Cherry Time cherries on your shopping list this harvest season, which starts in November. Look out for fresh Cherry Time in selected PnP stores or have them delivered right to your door. Order yours before they disappear on CherryTime.co.za.
***
Cherry Time is a brand owned by Dutoit Agri, which has a rich history in the agricultural business, with a legacy going back 120 years. The first cherry orchard was planted at Nooitgedacht, one of the largest cherry farms in the country, in 1890, and those trees are still rooted there today.