Cherries:

Cherries are very tasty fruits, and eatable cherries are either sweet cherries or sour cherries. One cup of cherries without pits has about 19 grams of carbohydrates and 2.2 grams of fiber.

Average calories: 76 per one cup without pits.

Vitamins found in higher amounts: vitamins A, C, K, and B2.

Minerals found in higher amounts: manganese, copper, and potassium.

Phytonutrients found in higher amounts and their health benefits: the most important phytonutrients in cherries are anthocyanins, beta-carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin. The red color of the fruits results from anthocyanins. They are potent free radicals scavengers that fight inflammation, improve circulation, and lower blood sugar and bad cholesterol levels. Beta-carotenes are beneficial against age-related macular degeneration. see “Macular Degeneration” under the section of “Medicinal Nutrition“.

Cherries contain small amounts of phytosterols.