Tart Cherry

Tart cherry is the type of cherry most commonly used in cherry pie. Unlike other cherries, the taste is slightly sour instead of sweet, though still pleasant. Tart cherries are a deep red with a tough skin and smooth texture. Tart cherry is grown all over the world. Two popular orchards, Montmorency and Balaton, market their cherries under a brand name. Balaton cherries are grown in Hungary and have recently been exported to the United States. Both companies are notable in their touting the health benefits of cherries.

What are the health benefits of cherries?

Tart cherries contain high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants help the body stop internal particles called free radicals. In humans, oxygen molecules sometimes become oxidized and thus carcinogenic. Left untreated they cause damage to cellular structures and even damage genes. This leads to stroke, heart disease, and cancer. Antioxidants stop the process before it begins, neutralizing free radicals and cleaning the system.

Drinking a glass of tart cherry juice is said to relieve arthritis pain. A chemical contained in tart cherries (the same one that lends them their deep red color) blocks certain enzymes that cause inflammation. In a lab study, the equivalent of twenty cherries produced an adequate amount of the chemical to effectively block the enzyme.

While the research looks promising, scientists have yet to conduct studies on humans. While there is no harm in trying tart cherry juice out, discontinuing arthritis medication in its favor is unadvised.

How many tart cherries does it take to achieve the desired effect?

If you plan on trying to treat arthritis pain with tart cherry, drink an eight ounce glass of the juice. Any cooking or treatment will drain the cherries of their potency.

For antioxidant purposes, snacking on cherries is sufficient. A smoothie made from tart cherries and bananas is full of nutrients. It is also delicious.

Are there any dangers or side effects?

Eating too many cherries may cause a stomach ache.