Cherries – The Bite-Sized Superfood

You’ve probably heard cherries are good for you. Antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, great for muscle recovery… the list goes on.

But what’s hype, and what’s actually backed by research?

We’re not doctors – we’re cherry growers – but we’ve been around long enough to know what cherries are really good for. Here’s a look at the health claims people make, what the science actually says, and why we think cherries are worth eating anyway.

Let’s start with the obvious one: antioxidants

Cherries, especially the darker ones, are rich in anthocyanins — natural compounds that give the fruit its colour and are linked to cell protection. That’s where a lot of the antioxidant talk comes from. Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress, which sounds technical but just means they may help the body repair itself over time.

Is this real?

Yes — though it’s not magic. Eating a punnet of cherries won’t reverse a decade of bad sleep, but adding them to a balanced diet is a step in the right direction.

Muscle recovery – fact or marketing spin?

Some studies suggest cherries, particularly tart varieties, can help with post-exercise muscle soreness. This is why you’ll sometimes see athletes sipping cherry juice like it’s the new Gatorade.

Is this real?

There’s research to support it, but you’d likely need a concentrated juice or supplement, not just a handful of fruit. Still, it doesn’t hurt to test the theory if you’re feeling sore after a long day in the garden or a big gym session.

Cherries and joint health

This one comes up a lot, especially for people with arthritis or gout. The idea is that cherries may help reduce uric acid levels and inflammation, which could ease joint stiffness or flare-ups.

Is this real?

There’s promising data — especially in small studies around gout — but results vary person to person. Our patriarch Graeme says he “doesn’t get gout in cherry season”, enjoying a few cherries a day, keeps his gout away. He also recalls a long-time customer stocking up on cherries through the season, juicing, freezing and cooking them up to ensure he had cherries every day of the year! Some people swear by them, others notice no change. Either way, cherries beat a second helping of painkillers.

So, are cherries good for you?

Yes — but maybe not for all the reasons people think.

They’re real food, grown from the ground, packed with flavour and nutrients. They don’t come with a label full of numbers. And in our opinion, they make healthy eating feel less like a chore and more like a treat.

Whether you’re eating them fresh, gifting a box to someone, or cooking up a cherry glaze on the BBQ — the best reason to enjoy cherries is that they taste good.