Cherry Pickings

Don't curb your cherry cravings. According to www.cherryfestival.org, ongoing research shows they are a rich source of antioxidants, which can help fight cancer and heart disease. In addition, there are beneficial compounds - particularly in the Montmorency variety, which are very tart - that help relieve the pain of arthritis and gout.

Studies also show that tart cherries - while not as abundant in vitamins C and A as, say strawberries - are bursting with melatonin, an antioxidant considered more potent that those vitamins because it is soluble in both fat and water.



Extracted from Family:March 2005