Cherries and health: many benefits thanks to antioxidants and bioactive compounds

31 Jan 2025
4775

Round or heart-shaped; sweet or rather tart; as small as grapes or as large as plums; more red or more burgundy, cherries are the stars of the summer season. They are an excellent choice for lunches, snacks, or summer desserts. But not for everyone.

Before addressing the main topic of this article, let's review the benefits of cherries. Their high content of nutrients, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds makes them a valuable element of any balanced diet.

In fact, cherries provide vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, and E. They are also a rich source of carbohydrates, especially simple sugars like fructose, glucose, and sucrose.

It is worth adding that these natural sugars act as a quick source of energy, making cherries a great snack to boost energy levels throughout the day. Despite their sweetness, cherries have a moderate caloric value, allowing them to be consumed without worrying about weight gain if eaten in moderation.

Since they contain these sugars, are they suitable for diabetics? According to Diabetes UK, fruit should be part of a diabetic person's diet, and cherries are no exception. In fact, the ideal recommendation is to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. It is commonly believed that a serving of cherries ranging from 10 to 14 is a healthy portion.

In this review of the benefits of cherries, the Mayo Clinic states that it has been shown that cherry consumption is associated with a lower risk of gout attacks.

Another benefit is their high content of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These contribute to cardiovascular health by improving blood vessel function and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Moreover, cherries can improve sleep quality thanks to their content of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles and can help combat insomnia.

At the beginning, we said that cherries are the stars of the season, but not for everyone. Which people should not eat cherries?

Among the main reasons to avoid eating cherries is LTP allergy, which is caused by a reaction to lipid transport proteins present in plants. This is a complex allergy that can affect older children and adults; if they eat cherries, allergic individuals may experience itching, swelling, breathing difficulties, or even anaphylactic shock.

Likewise, cherries are not recommended in cases of liver or kidney failure, as these patients are advised to reduce their intake of potassium. Since cherries contain high amounts of this mineral, their consumption should be limited in these situations.

Who else should not eat cherries? Finally, their consumption is not recommended for people with digestive problems.

Source: Más Producción
Image: Saber Healthcare


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

California cherry production halved due to extreme weather

Production

20 May 2025

In California, 43% of cherry orchards in San Joaquin Valley were damaged by heavy spring rains. Production drops by half, with estimated losses of $98 million. Local growers are urgently requesting aid to cope with one of the most devastating seasons in recent history.

The profitability of sour cherry cultivation in Turkey: cost analysis and opportunities

Production

14 Feb 2025

Data collected from 138 farms show that the average gross production value per hectare is approximately €9,998, with variations between €9,339 and €11,082. Production costs average €6,220 per farm, with a distribution of 41.13% in variable costs and 58.87% in fixed costs.

In evidenza

Jerte Valley: cherry harvest gets underway – high quality and exports on the horizon

Production

27 Apr 2026

The Jerte Valley cherry harvest starts with 18,000–20,000 tons expected, high quality and European exports from May. Awaiting China market opening in a season marked by promotion, automation and unstable logistics costs affecting growers and supply chains.

Tasmania cherries hit export record in 2025/26 season driven by Asia demand

Production

27 Apr 2026

Tasmania closes the 2025/26 cherry season with export values nearing $50 million, driven by strong Asian demand and higher prices. Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan lead growth, reinforcing the premium positioning of Tasmanian cherries globally.

Tag Popolari