Cherries Taste Great and Build Health

You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in season, to your health routine this week.

I don't know about you, but when my local supermarket runs specials on cherries, I won't leave the store without buying several pounds of these delicious and healthy orbs.

Folklore has long touted the humble cherry as a health-giving food, so it's nice that hard science is now confirming what natural health nuts have known for years.

Dr. Russell J. Reiter, professor of neuroendocrinology at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, conducted a five-month study and found that tart cherries contain significant amounts of melatonin - a hormone produced in the brain's pineal gland that has been credited with slowing the aging process, and fighting insomnia and jet lag.

Reiter says, "The combination of antioxidants in cherries can be very beneficial."

Ludwig Blau, Ph.D., claimed he cured his gout by eating six to eight cherries each day. Although he had no scientific explanation for his discovery, he said he could only get out of his wheelchair as long as he ate cherries. He noted that twelve other people with gout who ate cherries and drank cherry juice found relief from the disease.

Cherries are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin B1, C, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, flavonoids and the fiber, pectin. Darker cherries are even more mineral rich.

At Forsyth Dental Center a study was done that showed black cherry juice blocked 89% of the enzyme activity that would lead to plaque formation.

One caution, however, and it's an important caution...

Cherries are one of the most chemically contaminated fruits, so be sure to buy organic whenever possible. While shopping, look for fresh green stems with plump, colorful, shiny skinned cherries. Avoid scabby looking cherries that have mold or look like they've been sitting in the store too long.

Cherries are wonderful plain, but they're also terrific in fruit salads, smoothies, and juices.

While I have your attention, how about a fresh cherry smoothie recipe?

Cherry Smoothie Recipe

2 cups tart cherries (seeds removed of course)

1 ripe banana, peeled

1 cup cherry juice (or other juice)

Put cherries, banana and cherry juice blend in your blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Be sure to serve immediately. This recipe makes four 8-oz servings.

And, yes, dried cherries can be enjoyed year round.

Chet Day keeps a close eye on the wild and wacky world of the natural health circus. If you're tired to the same old health news and boring baloney, you'll enjoy Chet's informative and entertaining writing style at http://chetday.com and in his many free newsletters at http://dayzines.com

---

Set Your Fat Thermostat at a Healthy Level

Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy... Read More

Fighting Fatigue and the American Diner Breakfast

(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More

A Healthy Diet Means Avoiding Trans-Fat as well as Saturated Fat

We all need fat in our diet on a daily... Read More

Antioxidants - Add a Lean, Muscular Body to the List of Benefits!

I'm sure by now you've heard all about the amazing... Read More

What about Potassium?

Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More

Blood Type and Diet

Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More

Hypertension -Twelve Simple Things You Can Do To Lower Your Blood Pressure

Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More

Do You Know Your Bodys ph And Its Relation To Your Health

Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More

Debunking the Myth About Bottled Water: Is It Really Safer for Your Kids?

When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More

The Hidden Price of Being Healthy

What I am also going to point out is the... Read More

Alcohol Addiction and Obesity

People who consume too much alcohol have good chance of... Read More

The Importance of Water

Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More

Avoiding Mental Disorders Through the Aid of Vitamins and Minerals

When we think about the benefits of being ensuring a... Read More

The Most Effective Treatments for Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More

Four Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, Sodium and Potassium ? For Good Health

Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More

Glyconutrients

What are Glyconutrients? Glyconutrients are eight newly discovered biologically-active sugars... Read More

Capsulized Food: The Next Step in Food Evolution

Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or... Read More

Male Infertility and Glutathione

Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a... Read More

Sleep for Joy

Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More

Nutrition - Its Whats Eating You That Counts

"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More

The Best Way to Consume Vitamin C

Eating orange mean absorbing vitamin C to our body, is... Read More

Chocolate Splendor: Food For The Gods; Bodybuilding Nutrition

A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More

Getting Your Target

What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More

Nutrition For Your Young Athlete

Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More

Fluoride: A Plot to Dull the American Mind

During the Second World War, the Germans used fluoride as... Read More

Protein and Endurance Sports

Endurance Sports are like music concerts. They start at a... Read More

High Acid Levels Lead to Cardiovascular Disease

THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More

How Food Affects Mood

Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More

Maximizing Your Nutrition Dollar

Because of consumer demand, the food industry focus is on... Read More

Protein Wont Make You Fat: Myth #1

How many magazines have you read where they tell you... Read More

Beauty Foods That Will Keep You Young and Healthy

You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within.... Read More

Odd Fact or Oxymoron: Learning How To Cook Will Help You Drop a Few Pounds and Gain a Few Friends

Finding simple ways to reduce my waistline is always a... Read More

Must Have List Of Foods That Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More