An estimated 2,500 cherry growers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana produce the most sweet cherries in the US. They are delicious, beautiful, and in season now. Here are 5 reasons to start eating this powerfood today.

5 Reasons to Eat Sweet Cherries

1. Cherries as Antioxidants

Cyanidin and melatonin are great antioxidants. They are also both found in cherries. These antioxidants can reduce levels of uric acid and free radicals, boost memory, and lower the risk of gout attacks and Alzheimer’s. These antioxidants also reduce the effects of aging on your skin.

2. Diuretics and remineralizing

Sweet cherry is known to be diuretic. It’s probably the result of it’s high water and potassium, and also the presence of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol plant. Due to it’s mineral wealth, cherry participates in the balance of the internal environment. It’s metabolism releases alkaline compounds that oppose the action generally too acidifying the current supply.

3. Protection from Diabetes

Sweet cherries have a low glycemic index of 22, lower than apricots, grapes, peaches, blueberries or plums. This makes them a better choice of a fruit snack compared with many other fruits, especially for diabetics.

4. Cherries and Anti-cancer

Cherries have proven ability to fight off the growth of cancerous cells, especially colon, prostate, breast, and ovary cancer. This is due to the actions of fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, perillyl alcohol, and anthocyanins. These components of cherries reduce the accumulation of chemicals that induce the development of cancer. Anthocyanins also have an important role in the prevention of cancer by stopping the cell growth cycle of cancerous cells, while at the same time stimulating the formation of healthy cells.

5. Good for the Heart

Sweet cherries are very high in potassium, which helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertension. The phytosterols in cherries help reduce bad cholesterol levels.