Cherry Health: Get the Facts

• Cherries are fat-, cholesterol- and sodium-free.
• One cup of cherries is less than 90 calories.
• That same cup of cherries has 3 grams of fiber, which aids in digestion, lowers cholesterol,controls blood sugar and can help with weight loss.
• Cherries are a good source of vitamin C, with 16% of the daily recommended value in onecup.
• Cherries also contain vitamin A, calcium, protein and iron.
• Potassium in cherries keeps the body functioning and plays a key role in muscle, heart,kidney and nerve cell functions. One cup of cherries has 260 mg of potassium.
• Cherries are one of the top antioxidant-rich foods and may prevent the onset of severalchronic diseases.
• Anthocyanins in cherries give the fruit its red color and help protect the heart andsurrounding tissues.
• Boron in cherries helps maintain calcium balance and promotes bone health. Boron may alsoprevent osteoporosis.
• Research has found that eating cherries reduces pain and inflammation associated witharthritis and gout.
• Cherries contain melatonin (which regulates sleep cycles) and may be a helpful food forfighting jet lag and insomnia.