Cherries are not only delicious, but they are healthy and versatile. You can add cherries to anything from dairy products, to pork; eat raw or cook down to make a strained for juice or sauce. Serve them by the bowl for dessert at your summer barbecues; just be sure to get plenty of bowls and napkins for the pits.

Cherries ease arthritis pain

If you suffer from arthritis and gout, you will be cured to find out that adding cherries to your meal can greatly decrease the intense pain associated with those conditions. Excess uric acid in the blood is the culprit behind the excruciating pain that causes inflammation swelling and tenderness. One study found that uric acid could be reduced by as much as 16 percent by eating two cups of Bing cherries. Cherries can also reduce painful inflammation by decreasing the amount of C reactive protein produced. So add some more zing to your diet by choosing cherries.

Cherries fight cancer

The distinctive deep red pigment cherries are colored with comes from flavonoids- a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals in your body. Cyanidin is a flavonoid from the anthocyanin group found in cherries that helps keep cancerous cells from going out of control. For cherries with the most anthocyanins go for sweet cherries with the deepest pigment; choose crimson purple rather than bright red.

Cherries help with sleep

If sipping one cup of chamomile is not enough to induce restful sleep try having tart cherry juice before going to bed. Tart cherries contain melatonin- a hormone that helps make you feel sleepy. 2 tablespoons of tart cherry juice has been shown in studies to be just as effective as a melatonin supplement. So, give yourself a little cherry juice nightcap for a tasty bedtime sleep aid.

Cherries keep normal blood pressure

Cherries are a great source of potassium that helps to lower your blood pressure by getting rid of the excess sodium in your body. Eating cherries helps keep sodium and potassium in balance and can prevent occurring of hypertension. A cup of cherries has the same amount of potassium as a banana making it a great fruit when you are not in the mood for another banana.

Cherries help keep you trim

Eating cherries can help you lose weight and stay trim. One cup of cherries is less than 99 calories and packs in three grams of fiber, which will keep you feeling full for a long time. Also, these little beauties contain a lot of vitamins B such as riboflavin, thiamin and vitamin B6. These vitamins are crucial for your metabolism and convert nutrients into energy. What can be better than eating cherries to help you stay skinny and lean?

Cherries help your eyesight

Sour cherries contain 20 times the amount of ? carotene found in blueberries. Being a precursor to vitamin A, it helps to maintain eyesight and healthy skin.

Cherries protect your colon

These magic fruits also contain quercetin- a flavonoid with anti carcinogenic activity. New research in one journal found that it helps prevent damaging lesions from forming in the colon. They are thought to be a predictor of tumors.

Cherries control your cholesterol levels

All cherries are high in pectin which is a soluble fiber that helps to prevent heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol.