10 Health Benefits of Cherries

Did you know cherries are more than just a yummy snack? In fact, this fresh summer fruit has been shown to do wonders for different elements of your health, and Northern Michigan is said to be home to some of the best!

Cherries are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, dietary fibers and phytochemicals (biologically active compounds that are known to help prevent damage to cells) that have been proven to contribute to the following health benefits:

1. Reduce the Risk of Cancer
2. Support Healthy Sleep
3. Relieve Arthritis Pain
4. Reduce Belly Fat
5. Reduce Post-Exercise Muscle Pain
6. Lower the Risk of Stroke
7. Improve Skin
8. Lower the Risks of Diabetes
9. Help Digestion
10. Improve Memory

There are more than 50 varieties of cherries worldwide, falling into two categories: tart and sweet. Both are in season in Michigan from mid-June through early August, which makes summer the ideal time to stock your fridge with the fruit that does as much for your health as it does for your cooking.

There are nearly 32,000 acres of tart cherries across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee, Benzie and Antrim. Sweet cherries, on the other hand, cover about 7,500 acres in Michigan and can be found in Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Antrim. So what are the names to look out for at these Michigan cherry hot spots?

Sweet

• Emperor Francis
• Gold
• Napoleon
• Ulster

Tart

• Montmorency
• Balaton

Check out the tasty cherry recipes within the articles below:

• Grilled Cherry, Goat Cheese and Arugula Naan Pizza
• A chicken salad recipe with a surprising ingredient
• Cooking with Cherries: Get flavor and health benefits with fresh summer recipes

What’s your favorite kind of cherry? Let us know in the comments section below!

Photo Credit via Flickr: Kate Fisher & Valdemar Fishmen via Flickr