According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, two types of cherries are grown in the U.S. Those tasty treats are sweet cherries and tart cherries. Sweet cherries are generally grown in Washington, California and Oregon, but tart cherries usually come from Michigan. (In fact, almost 74 percent of the nation’s tart cherries come from this state.)
There’s a good reason you shouldn’t limit cherries to simple sundae toppers. Cherries are packed with health benefits. Not only can they assist when it comes to improving sleep quality, they just might help you lose weight.
Here nine great reasons to eat cherries today. So go ahead, eat up.
- Sleep
Did you know that cherries can help you sleep?
According to Eating Well, tart cherries are a natural source of melatonin. This hormone has long been associated with better sleep, which is why melatonin supplements are popular among those with insomnia.
In one study, volunteers consumed an ounce of tart cherry juice both in the morning and at night. As a result, sleep quality improved. “The melatonin in tart cherry juice is very well absorbed and is utilized by the body to provide an effect that could rival melatonin supplements,” study author Glyn Howatson, Ph.D., tells Eating Well.
So give cherries a try the next time you can’t sleep. They just might help.