Cherries are one of the healthiest fruits around. They are packed full of nutrients that provide a variety of health benefits. Whether you include them in your diet as a snack or as part of a recipe, dried cherries will add a sweet and fruity flavor, as well as provide many of the nutrients and fiber we need daily.
What are the Health Benefits of Dried Cherries?
Cherries contain many of the most important nutrients the body needs to stay healthy. They are a natural source of melatonin and can aid in helping you get the sleep you need on a regular basis. They are high in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and beta carotene. Fiber is also in abundance in dried cherries. Cherries have more beta carotene and Vitamin A than other berries. Because of the wide variety of nutrients in dried cherries, they are considered one of the healthiest of all the fruits and vegetables we find in our diet.
Dried Cherries Include Antioxidants
Cherries are also well-known sources of antioxidants. These compounds can minimize the symptoms that are associated with muscle damage that has been caused by too much exercise. The health benefits of antioxidants are long-reaching and lay the groundwork for a healthier you. Including antioxidant-rich foods in your diet is the best way to prevent poor health due to exposure to contaminants in the environment and other elements that are out of our control.
Promote Healthy Joint Function
The antioxidants and anthocyanins (also known as flavonoids) support healthy joint function. Cherries have also been known to help relieve many of the symptoms associated with gout. These nutrients reduce the swelling and can minimize the pain and discomfort associated with the stiffness that is often caused by gout or other forms of arthritis.
Adding dried cherries to your regular daily routine can help keep the pain and discomfort associated with gout to a minimum. Individuals who suffer from chronic conditions that affect the joints can rely on cherries to provide a modest level of comfort that will allow them to live life to the fullest.
Dried Cherries Encourage Healthy Cardiovascular Function
Studies show that antioxidants found in cherries may help reduce the risk of heart disease and provide you with the nutrients you need to keep your heart as healthy as possible. In addition to exercise, your diet is one of the most important factors when it comes to healthy heart function. Foods high in antioxidants help fight the free radicals that can attack and destroy healthy heart tissue. Eating foods like cherries can help in preventing this from happening.
When it comes to a healthy heart, getting enough rest is also essential. The melatonin found in cherries encourages healthy sleep patterns. Your heart is able to rest and rejuvenate itself during those hours of deep sleep, giving it the opportunity it needs to prepare itself for the next days' activities.
No Added Sugar or Sweeteners
Cherries have a naturally sweet flavor and just the right texture that makes them perfect for almost any kind of dish you want to put them in. As a midday snack, they are the perfect pick-me-up and will give you the energy you need without any added sugar or flavor enhancers. When consuming dried cherries, it's important to remember that you will need a smaller amount than if you were eating them fresh.
Including Dried Cherries in Your Diet
There are many ways you can include dried cherries in your diet. The easiest way is to eat them as a snack straight from the bag. Include a few of your favorite nuts for the perfect fiber/protein balance. You'll get a natural pick-me-up that will hold you over until your next meal.
You can also add dried cherries to your favorite recipe for a nutritional boost. Dried or fresh, cherries give every dish a little extra pizzazz that makes them that much more enjoyable.
At Sunrise Fresh, our dried cherries are 100% natural with no added sugars and no preservatives. Our goal is to ensure every dried fruit product we offer will meet or exceed your expectations. That's why at Sunrise Fresh it's “Just fruit... and nothing else!”
