Healthy Reasons to Enjoy Cherries for National Cherry Month

If you think of summer when you think about cherries and wonder why February is National Cherry Month, here’s the reason why. National Cherry Month was established in 1912 when Japan generously gave the United States 3000 cherry trees to celebrate their friendship. Those trees were planted in a park in Washington DC and are celebrated every year when all of them bloom and are covered in beautiful cherry blossoms. Because of that one act of kindness, the month of February was designated as National Cherry Month. And while many people think of summer when they think of cherries, those delicious little fruits can be enjoyed all year long and senior home care providers can encourage your loved one reap their benefits.!

Six Health Benefits of Cherries for Senior Citizens

Finding healthy snacks that are also delicious can often be a struggle for many seniors looking to be able to enjoy a sweet snack but not wanting to consume empty calories. Well, the great news about cherries is that they are considered a superfood because of the many multiple ways eating a bowl of them is good for a person’s health. For seniors, the health benefits of cherries can have a positive impact on health issues they may have.

1. They relieve inflammation and sore muscles. If your loved one suffers from chronic pain or has recently over-extended himself, a bowlful of cherries might be just what he needs. Tart cherries and tart cherry juice have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that work on the body like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by reducing and preventing pain.
2. Cherry juice is one of the top recommended treatments for gout and other arthritic symptoms. Consuming cherries and cherry juice daily can lower uric acid levels and ease the pain and swelling of arthritis.
3. Cherries can reduce blood pressure levels. If your loved one has high blood pressure, a cup of fresh cherries can help lower blood pressure due to the powerful combination of potassium, high levels of plant sterols, and low sodium it contains.
4. Fresh cherries are rich in antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E. These nutrients combined with the natural polyphenols of cherries can help right free radicals which lead to cancer and other chronic diseases.
5. Cherries promote better sleep. The combined components of serotonin, melatonin, and tryptophan make sleeping more restful.
6. Cherries improve blood sugar levels, especially important if your loved one has diabetes. Eat them fresh with the skin to get the most benefit.

Three Easy Ways to Enjoy Some Cherries This Month

So, this February, commit to improving your loved one’s health by implementing more cherries into his diet. His senior home care provider can start by helping your loved one find the best seasonal cherries when at the store and then finding recipes for them.

Senior Home Care Hawthorne FL – Healthy Reasons to Enjoy Cherries for National Cherry Month

Here are three easy ways for your senior home care provider to help your senior enjoy more cherries.

• Have the senior home care provider wash up fresh cherries and put them in a bowl for snacking. They should be fully dried and stored in the fridge.
• Offer cherries for breakfast. Have your senior home care provider chop up fresh cherries to add to the morning yogurt or oatmeal.
• Add dried cherries to salads and meal sides like rice or quinoa.

With a little creativity, cherries can be enjoyed all year, not just in February.

If you are considering Senior Home Care Services in Hawthorne FL, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts Home Care. Call today: 352-225-3727.