Aim for one cup of fresh cherries a day or a quarter-cup of dried ones,” suggests Sedlacek. Try them in your favorite recipes — they can add a tangy twist to your brownies, coleslaw and rice pilaf. In fact, a study in 84,158 people found that higher intakes of polyphenols — especially anthocyanins, flavonols, and catechins — were associated with a significantly decreased risk of heart disease over 5 years ( 16). Though most studies exploring the links between cherries and exercise involve trained athletes, tart cherry juice may benefit non-athletes as well.

Remember to take a look at our collection of can openers so you can (pun very much intended) open your cans! Cherry trees are thought to have originated in eastern Europe and have since spread their reach to be cultivated in all regions of the world, save for areas that experience especially harsh winter weather. Depending on the region, cherry season ranges from May to August, with peak season occurring in July. Yep, afraid so! Cherries are a stone fruit, so the flesh always surrounds a small pit. Cherries can be sold in stores without their pits (such as with maraschino or dried cherries), but they’re only pit-free because the pit was manually removed. Can You Eat Cherry Pits?

Time-saving secrets and recipes to make meal prep work for you.

If you make a lot of pies, grow cherries in your yard to can or freeze, or just love eating cherries, a bulk cherry pitter may be a good investment for you!

Cherries belong to a category of plants known as drupes, whose defining characteristic is a pit residing in the center of a fleshy fruit. This pit is also known as a “stone” hence the colloquial term for these types of fruits: stone fruits! Tart Cherry Smoothie Bowls. Blend up your cherries into these Smoothie Bowls for a light summertime breakfast. Plus, they can decrease uric acid levels in your body, making them especially beneficial for those with gout.One review of multiple studies found that eating at least 45 cherries every day reduces inflammation brought on by free radicals. “But if you’re sensitive to salicylates, a natural plant chemical found in cherries and also used in aspirin, eating that many cherries can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea,” cautions Sedlacek. 2. Promote more restful sleep But don’t you worry! Serious cherry fanatics can invest in a multi pitter that takes care of six cherries at once. That means the work of pitting that pound of fresh cherries is going to go so much faster. The device looks a bit like an egg slicer. Position the pitter over a bowl, set the cherries in the divots inside the pitter, then press down on the lever. The pits will drop down into the dish and you can keep pitting until you’ve got enough cherries for one of these grandma-approved cherry desserts. Freeze your cherries. Once they are pitted, make sure you learn how to freeze cherries to keep them on hand all year long. To prepare: Wash thoroughly in cold water. To stone cherries, use a cherry stoner - a blunt spike pushes the stone through the flesh, ensuring the shape and juices are retained. A cherry stoner can also be used for stoning olives. In one study, people with diabetes who drank 1.35 ounces of concentrated sour cherry juice every day for six weeks saw significant drops in blood sugar levels. Research is underway to see if a healthy diet that includes cherries may reverse prediabetes. 7. Lower cancer risk

Cherries are particularly beneficial in this regard, as they’re rich in nutrients and compounds that are known to promote heart health, including potassium and polyphenol antioxidants. A study in 27 endurance runners demonstrated that those who consumed 480 mg of powdered tart cherries daily for 10 days before a half-marathon averaged 13% faster race times and experienced less muscle soreness than a placebo group ( 10).A study in 20 people showed that those who drank tart cherry juice concentrate for 7 days experienced significant increases in melatonin levels, sleep duration, and sleep quality, compared to a placebo ( 19). Both sweet and tart varieties pair well with many foods. Plus, related products, such as dried cherries, cherry powder, and cherry juice, make interesting additions to many recipes. Unfortunately, yes, you have to remove the pits before cooking (and eating) cherries. Cherry pits are tooth-breakingly hard and actually poisonous! Cherry pits—and the pits of other stone fruits like plums and peaches—contain cyanide, which in certain doses can be lethal. These are cherries that have been candied - they are soaked in sugar syrup until the sugar replaces the moisture, to extend their keeping qualities. Three different colours of glacé cherries are available: natural colour Provençal cherries (these are a dark purple colour), Provençal cherries (the most commonly used red variety) and multi coloured Provençal cherries (bright red, yellow and green).