I love cherries. They’re one of my favorite summer fruits. They’re delicious and nutritious, loaded with Vitamin C.
Registered Dietician Nutritionist Melissa Ann Prest, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says cherries also have high amounts of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant.
“And those help to manage the chronic inflammation that we might see in something like diabetes, and chronic kidney disease,” she said. “Having this anti-inflammatory property, research has shown that they help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.”
So, what do you look for at the store?
“Look for cherries that have bright green stems, fruit that is plump and firm to the touch,” she said. “Those that are darker in color typically have the best flavor.”
Cherries freeze well. You can throw them into you smoothie ,, or thaw them out to add to your cereal or yogurt.
Consumer Reports advises considering organic cherries, if available. Conventional cherries were one of the fruits with a higher risk of pesticide exposure in CR’s analysis of five years of USDA data on pesticides in produce.
More Info: Are Cherries Good for You?
NOTE: August is Kids Eat Right Month.