February is here, which means one important thing in the fruit world: It’s National Cherry Month!
That’s right, February gives us a whole month to celebrate these sweet treats – but with their delicious taste and impressive health benefits, we’re not sure that one month is enough.
While cherries are frequently celebrated for their delicious taste, there’s so much more to these tasty treats than meets the taste buds. Cherries are also known for being one of the healthiest fruits around, and are packed with important vitamins and nutrients that play an important part in keeping your body running in top shape in several important ways:
- They’re full of powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, known to aid in slowing down aging and warding off chronic diseases.
- Cherries can help you sleep! They’re one of nature’s only food sources of melatonin, which helps the body promote healthy and restful sleep.
- They are a nutrient-packed superfood, bursting with vitamins and minerals (like potassium, copper, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and polyphenols) that can boost the immune system while decreasing inflammation in the body.
- Because they fall low on the glycemic index, cherries can help maintain stable levels of blood sugar and insulin.
- By reducing oxidative stress in the body, cherries can aid in muscle recovery after strenuous exercise.
There’s more good news: With the That’s it. Apple + Cherry Fruit Bar, it’s never been easier to harness the nutritional benefits of these superfruits. Each bar comes packed with 10 whole cherries to keep you healthy, even on the go.
Keep reading for a few more fun facts about cherries:
- Traverse City, Michigan is known as the cherry capital of the world.
- Michigan is home to more than 30,000 acres of cherry trees
- Traverse City alone has 4 million trees that produce 150 – 200 million pounds of cherries each year
- There are two different types of cherries: sweet and tart
- Each cherry tree has about 7,000 cherries
- Cherries are part of the rose family
