Aug 11, 2009 9:48 am US/Pacific
Cherry Season
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Cherries are antioxidant powerhouses.
AP
It's cherry season in Colorado and around much of the country. It's a time of year that we covet due to the abundance of some of our favorite summer fruits. Though cherries may be small in size, don't underestimate the nutritional benefits that are packed into each delicious morsel.
Cherries are antioxidant powerhouses. The fresh fruit and the juice have one of the highest antioxidant scores compared to other fruits. Anthocyanins and quercetin in cherries have been studied for their anticancer potential. Cherries contain beta-carotene, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, fiber, potassium, and folate. Cherries also contain melatonin, a nutrient that has been shown to help normalize the body's natural biorhythms, prevent against jet lag and has anti-aging properties. Research suggests that cherries may help reduce the pain and inflammation of gout and arthritis. Research also shows a link between eating cherries and a reduced risk for heart disease, diabetes, and specific cancers.
Bing or Lambert cherries are the popular sweet, dark red cherries that we commonly find in the markets today. Ranier cherries, also sweet, have more of a yellowish skin with a pink or reddish hue and are gaining in availability and popularity as well. When buying cherries, we look for cherries that are not too soft or bruised. The stem should look alive and fresh, yet it should release easily from the cherry. Cherries can be stored in the refrigerator and they should be used right away. If you don't have plans for the cherries you can always freeze them, but first remove the pit and know that you will only want to use the cherries in cooked dishes or pies since after thawing they will be sort of soft and mushy.
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