Southern New Mexico offers abundant crops of fresh cherries and we are right here in the middle of their picking season that usually begins June 1st and ends during the first half of July. Not only tart, sweet and delicious, cherries offer great health benefits.

Eating cherries can prove to be an effective way to help alleviate the pain that is associated with arthritis. They contain tons of anti-inflammatory properties that have been proven to reduce arthritic joint pain. Tart cherries, in particular, have been found to drastically reduce inflammation in the joints, which is what leads to the pain that those with arthritis experience.

Cherries can help to stave off the development of certain types of cancer. In fact, the American Institute of Cancer Research states cherries can have a profound impact on the prevention of the growth of tumors, particularly in the colon. They contain a high amount of dietary fiber which inproves digestion and maintains healthy metabolism, reducing the chances that you will develop cancer in the colon.

Cherries also contain a compound known as anthocyanins, which has been found to reduce the growth of cancer cells and actually encourage the self-destruction of these cells. The anthocyanins also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which lab studies have found to have a positive effect on the prevention of not only colon cancer, but cancers of the larynx, lungs, mouth, and pharynx. So, if you want to reduce your risk of developing cancer, eat more cherries.

Cherries can also help to combat the development of type 2 diabetes. That’s because they contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Even more importantly, cherries have a very low glycemic index, so they do not cause sharp increases and decreases in the blood glucose and insulin levels. As a result, this fruit serves as a protective agent against diabetes. It can also be a powerful way to manage the condition if you already have it.

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