"Super Foods": Cherries

Cherries?  Super Foods?  Yes, that's right.  One of the foods that have gotten a lot of positive press for its "miraculous" healing powers is cherries.

There are many different health benefits you can get from cherries ...

• Cherries are a terrific source of fibre, which in turn helps to stabilise blood sugar and insulin levels as well as lower abnormally high levels of estrogen, (known as Estrogen Dominance). They also help to improve digestive problems like constipation and diarrhea.

• Cherries are rich in phytonutrients and phytoestrogens like polyphenols and antioxidants, including a very potent type of flavonoid called anthocyanin. Phytonutrients again help to reduce symptoms of estrogen dominance and menopausal symptoms, and of course antioxidants are the main "magic bullet" in controlling free radical damage. The main advantage of decreasing free radical damage is that it decreases your risk of developing cancers as well as improving and supporting your immune system.

• Anthocyanin reduces the formation of blood clots, reducing heart disease and strokes, as well as improving memory

• Cherries are also rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and nutrients like Vitamin A, Calcium, Carotene, Phosphorous, Potassium, Iron, Thiamine and Riboflavin, which again are essential in controlling free radical damage.

• Cherries are rich in the flavanoid Queritrin.  Research has shown this has amazing anti-cancer properties.

• Cherries also include another powerful anti-cancer agent:  ellagic acid (a plant phenolic)

• Cherries are known to have amazing antiaging properties due to their role in lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer (including breast cancer) and also their pain relieving properties.

• Cherries are also antiaging due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

• Research shows that cherries reduce the production of bad cholesterol

• Cherries are known to prevent varicose veins and even tooth decay

• Cherries also help in gallbladder disease

• Cherries are known to support and protect kidney function, including kidney stones, as well as prevent infections

• Drinking juices like cherry juice provides similar health benefits as red wine, but without the negative influences of alcohol consumption.

• Studies done at Michigan State University have found that cherries have a pain relieving effect equal to approximately 10 microM concentrations of ibuprofen and naproxen.  Although no technical studies have been done, this raises the possibility of using cherries to help to reduce pain and inflammation caused by fibromyalgia or arthritis.  This possibility is especially exciting when you consider the fact that research has shown that cherries are high in melatonin, which promotes restful sleep and helps to alleviate insomnia, and one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome is insomnia and interrupted sleep patterns.  This pain relieving action also helps to relieve headaches and even migraines.

So, now that we know how great these Super Foods are, why not try to add them to our daily diet as much as possible ... and here's a delicious healthy dessert to start with ... (Yes, even desserts can be healthy!)

Check out this delicious Super Foods recipe...

Super Foods Recipe:   Apple-Cherry Crunch

3 Apples chopped                   1 cup rolled oats

½ cup desiccated coconut       ¾ cup flour

1 tsp. Cinnamon                     1/8-cup olive oil

1 tbsp. Butter                        2 tbsp. Brown sugar

½ cup water            1 can pitted cherries (rinsed) or 500 gr fresh pitted cherries

1. Place chopped apples, water and cinnamon in a small saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes, until apple is softened
2. In a small bowl, mix together oats, flour, coconut, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, oil and butter until mixture is crumbly
3. Remove apples from water with slotted spoon and mix with cherries.
4. Line bottom of baking dish with apples and cherries.  Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Brown sugar.
5. Sprinkle crumbed mixture over apples and cherries.
6. Bake at 190 degrees Celsius (or 375 degrees Fahrenheit) for 30 – 40 minutes or until browned.

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