A New Year Brings New Ways to Enjoy Northwest Cherries!
As we step into a fresh new year, Karley Lange from Northwest Cherries joins us to unveil novel and healthy ways to relish sweet cherries well beyond their summer peak.
Northwest Cherries represents 2,500 growers across five states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana. They have extensively researched the health benefits of sweet cherries, working with WSU and Texas A&M. Read more in this published white paper.
When people think of sweet cherries, they think of a summertime snack. But we are here to remind you that fresh cherries can be preserved dried, as juice, or frozen and enjoyed year-round! Chukar Cherries has mastered the art of preserving these sweet beauties and turning them into tasty snacks and all sorts of goodies.
Did you know that dried cherries contain all the same amazing health benefits as fresh? In fact, in this study that was done on sweet cherries, dried cherries were used when sweet cherries weren’t in season.
What are some benefits to enjoying sweet cherries? Read on!
1. Fight chronic inflammatory diseases
Sweet cherries can help prevent chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Inflammation has also been tied to increased risk factors of cancer; research is suggesting that sweet cherries may possess cancer-fighting properties.
Harvard Medical School continues to tout the health benefits of anti-inflammatory foods. Cherries are cited as a key food item to help battle inflammation. A Harvard Medical health journal just cited cherries in their inflammation fighting foods release: “Cherries contain fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and a variety of phytochemicals associated with their colors. Cherries have garnered the lion's share of the research among stone fruits. Some studies suggest that cherries can reduce pain and soreness after exercise as well as a reduced risk of gout attacks. The high levels of phenolic compounds in cherries, which have been linked to reduced inflammation, may be behind those benefits”.
2. Exercise recovery
Sweet cherries contain anthocyanins, which appear to shut down enzymes that cause tissue inflammation in a similar manner to ibuprofen and naproxen. Those anti-inflammatory properties also make cherries a great workout recovery snack.
3. Sweet without sugar and big on nutrients!
Sweet cherries boast a lower glycemic index than almost any other fruit and promote healthy blood glucose by releasing glucose slowly and evenly, so blood sugar levels stay steady longer. In this study, A diabetic woman was given 40mL/day of cherry juice. Over 6 weeks, her hemoglobin A1C significantly decreased compared to levels prior to cherry juice supplementation.
4. Enhanced cognitive function
The anthocyanins found in sweet cherries may improve memory and cognition in older adults with mild‑to‑moderate dementia. Also, cherry phenolics appear to protect cells from damaging stress while the cherry’s serotonin reduces stress and improves mood.
Thank you, Karley! If you're inspired to incorporate more cherries into your daily routine, we encourage you to explore our no sugar added dried cherries and brand new Northwest Cherry Juice. Our delicious, all-natural products make it easy to bring the wholesome joy of cherries in your everyday life. Here's to a healthier, cherry-filled year ahead!
This week only, we are partnering with Northwest Cherries to give away two cherry-themed gift boxes on social media. Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to enter.
