Cherry juice is often touted as a superfood, and for good reason. This delicious beverage is packed with nutrients that can offer plenty of health benefits.
Some of the most impressive benefits of cherry juice include its ability to improve sleep quality, reduce inflammation, boost heart health, and enhance cognitive function. But that's not all. Cherry juice can also help you lose weight, fight depression, and improve your skin health.
So, if you're looking for a healthy addition to your diet, look no further than cherry juice.
Types of cherries
There are more than 1200 different types of cherries, but popular types are the sweet cherry and the sour cherry and they have been further classified. The sweet cherry is most often eaten fresh, while the sour cherry is used more often in cooking.
The sweet cherry is the type of cherry that is most often found in grocery stores. This type of cherry is dark red and purple in color. The two most popular types of sweet cherries are the bing cherry and the rainier cherry.
The sour cherry, also known as tart cherry, is used more often in cooking and baking. This type of cherry is bright red in color and is comparatively smaller in size. The two most popular types of sour cherries are the Montmorency cherry and the morello cherry.
Nutrition in cherry juice
Cherry juice has many beneficial nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, carotenoids, fibre, anthocyanins, quercetin, hydroxycinnamates, and potassium.
The nutrient value in 100 ml of cherry juice according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is as follows:
Carbohydrate: 15 g
Protein: 0 g
Sugar: 10.83 g
Dietary fibre: 0.4 g
Calcium: 17 mg
Iron: 0.45 mg
What are the benefits of drinking cherry juice?
Benefits the immune system
A flavonoid pigment called anthocyanin is present in cherries. This pigment may prevent many diseases by killing harmful microorganisms. Along with antimicrobial properties, anthocyanin also has anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties.
Lowers the risk of gout and osteoarthritis
Gout and osteoarthritis are types of arthritis that cause inflammation and pain in the joints. Cherries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties because of the anthocyanin pigment present in them.
Some research results showed improvements in gout and osteoarthritis after the consumption of cherries.
Improves sleep quality
Tart cherry juice has high levels of melatonin and tryptophan. Melatonin is also called sleep hormone because it regulates the circadian rhythm (the internal 24-hour clock). Drinking tart cherry juice before going to bed may improve your sleep quality.
Improves metabolism and helps in losing fat
Cherries are a good source of vitamins and fiber that may help with digestion and weight loss. The vitamins and the water content in cherries extract all the toxins from the body, and the fiber in them promotes gut health. So, drinking cherry juice is one of the foods linked with losing weight and improving metabolic health.
Promotes brain health
Cherry juice has a generous amount of antioxidants that are beneficial for the brain. It is also effective against some neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
What does cherry juice do for your body?
Cherry juice is loaded with nutrients that promote overall health. It may regulate blood pressure, which decreases the risk of heart stroke. Drinking cherry juice after a workout can help your body recover faster from muscle soreness, inflammation, and exhaustion.
This well-established drink may boost your immune system and cognitive function. It also promotes cardiovascular health and may help in improving arthritis symptoms. Cherry juice may improve your skin health because of vitamin C and other antioxidants.
What side effects does cherry juice have?
Drinking cherry juice has many health benefits and you may incorporate this drink into your diet regularly. However, possible side effects of cherry juice include stomach pain and diarrhea. Tart cherry juice has a high amount of sorbitol, which may cause gas and blotting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who should not take tart cherry juice?
Tart cherry juice has tremendous health benefits but people with some medical conditions should avoid it. The reason behind this is that tart cherry may interact with medicines that are used to control cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
If you have diabetes and other sugar-related problems, consult your doctor before including tart cherry juice in your diet.
Can you drink cherry juice every day?
Yes, drinking cherry juice every day is safe unless you are allergic to it or have sugar problems. Cherry juice may not suit you if you have a sensitive stomach.
When should I drink cherry juice?
You can drink cherry juice at any time of the day, but the best time to drink cherry juice is before going to bed because it regulates sleep. You can also drink cherry juice after a workout to reduce muscle soreness and exhaustion.
