Cherry Season: The Delicious Health Boost You Need

Cherry season is here, and with it comes a rush to the produce aisles. Cherries, one of the healthiest fruits, are rich in antioxidants that help maintain our body's tissues.

Mariana Orbach, head of the nutrition and diet unit at Clalit in the Dan-Petah Tikva district, shares insights with Mako about this beloved fruit's amazing benefits. "Cherries are loaded with powerful antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonoids," she explains. "These compounds offer protection against cancer, boost the immune system, and act as anti-inflammatories, aiding vascular health and rheumatoid arthritis. They also slow aging and minimize damage caused by free radicals."

An added bonus is their high vitamin C content. "Both sweet and sour cherries provide about a quarter of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C per 100 grams," she says, noting that cherries are also fiber-rich. "Fiber helps with fullness and regular bowel activity, thanks to pectin contained within the fiber."

The minerals in cherries are another perk: "Potassium helps maintain normal heart function and lowers high blood pressure; iron is vital for creating hemoglobin and enzymes, preventing anemia; phosphorus is crucial for bone health and numerous body processes; a touch of calcium is essential for bone and teeth development, along with nervous and muscular system functions."

Cherries contain various vitamins, especially from the A group essential for healthy mucous membranes and vision," she continues. "B vitamins play a role in proper nervous and digestive system function, muscle tone, metabolism, and more."

Cherries also act as a pain reliever and sleep aid. "Folk medicine has long recognized the pain-relieving effects of cherries, especially cherry juice. A unique finding is the presence of melatonin, a hormone-like compound in cherries responsible for sleep, potentially explaining the link between cherry consumption and improved insomnia."

A serving of 100 grams without pits contains about 58 calories and 14 grams of carbohydrates. "It's best to store cherries in the fridge and consume them within a week of picking. They can be frozen for up to a year," she concludes.