Keeping Inflammation at bay is what cherries do best. Thats because they contain anthocyanins, antioxidants whose anti-inflammatory effects may help reduce pain. As a rule, the darker the cherry’s color, the higher the anthocyanin content.

The smallest of the stone fruits is also beneficial as a natural source of melatonin, an antioxidant hormone that helps regulate biorhythms and sleep patterns.

Tart cherry rarely sold fresh because they are so tart, tart cherries have a distinct bright red color. Cherry juice gives you the biggest antioxidant bang for your buck, and it’s sold year-round at grocery stores. Next best are dried cherries, which have considerably higher amounts of the health giving compounds than canned or frozen.

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