Rainier cherries are a delicious treat that also happen to contain many nutrients and antioxidants. They’re high in vitamin c, fiber, potassium, and other important vitamins and minerals. There are several amazing health benefits of Rainier cherries and on top of that – they make for the perfect mid-day snack!
In this post, we cover a few reasons why you’ll love Rainier cherries and at the end of this post, we’ve selected a few of our favorite recipes that include Rainier cherries!
Before we dive into the numerous health benefits of Rainier Cherries, we wanted to make sure to highlight some information on the history of Rainier cherries as well as some fun facts!
A Brief History of Rainier Cherries and Some Fun Facts
We thought it would be important to share some fun facts and history so you leave this post as a Rainier cherry expert!
Did you know that Rainier cherries were created at WSU’s research station in Prosser in 1952? Yes – this blew our mind too! These small fruits are incredibly special to Washington but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy them as well!
These cherries were created by crossing Bing cherries and Van cherries by Harold Fogle – we will call him the godfather of the Rainier cherry. His interest in cherries led him to the ultimate creation! Thank you, Harold!
This wonderful cherry creation is sweeter than the Bing cherry that it was created from and surprisingly it can cost up to $5 for one single cherry in Japan!
Rainier cherries also have their own National Holiday – if you’re a big fan, you should observe July 11th as a special day to celebrate this flavor bursting fruit!
Depending on where you live, you might see Rainier cherries in season at different times. If you live in California or your fruit comes from there, Rainier cherry season is from May to June. Although, if you’re in Washington, Rainier cherry season is from June to August.
And yes, we called them a fruit. According to our research, they are not berries but in fact – a stone fruit!
The last fact that we will share with you is that Rainier cherries are technically sweet cherries. There are different varieties of cherries that you might encounter such as a tart cherry but those have unique properties.
Fun and Interesting Health Benefits of Consuming Rainier Cherries
They’re Rich in Antioxidants
Rainier cherries contain more than twice as much antioxidant power as any other type of cherry. This means that they help protect against free radical damage, which has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and aging.
They Can Lower Cholesterol
Rainier cherries also contain high levels of ellagic acid, an antioxidant that is also in pomegranate juice. Research shows that people who eat foods rich in ellagic acid tend to have lower cholesterol levels.
They May Help Prevent Diabetes
Rainier cherries may help prevent type 2 diabetes because they contain ellagic acid as mentioned above. This compound has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in animals with type 2 diabetes. In addition, research suggests that eating more fruits and vegetables may help prevent diabetes.
They Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Rainier cherries also have anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a response by the body to injury or infection. These anti-inflammatory properties help fight off bacteria and viruses, as well as repair damaged tissue.
However, inflammation may cause pain and discomfort that is not to be cured completely by cherries. If you are experiencing great pain, contact a doctor.
They Can Help You Lose Weight
Rainier cherries are an excellent choice for a healthy snack. Eating cherries should be paired with other healthy choices and regular exercise to see results but there have been studies that demonstrated that cherries can aid in the reduction of abdominal fat for some.
They May Help to Ease the Pain of Arthiritis
In one study conducted at the Boston University Medical Center, they found that eating only 10 cherries a day can help reduce recurrence of gout and help east the pain of arthritis.
Rainier Cherries Can Help With Acne
These small fruits have antioxidants that help remove bacteria. Additionally, the antioxidants help to fight free radicals and the Vitamin C in cherries can help to boost collagen production.
A Few Other Reason Why The Health Benefits of Rainier Cherries Cannot Be Ignored
They May Help Reduce Soreness After a Workout
Consuming cherries significantly reduced soreness for athletes who were working out regularly. Additionally, loss of strength can be reduced by cherries. We’ve all been there – soreness can creep up on you if you are starting a new routine or just spent more time exercising.
Make sure to add some Rainier Cherries to your routine if you’re switching up your workout routine!
Rainier Cherries Can Help You Sleep Better
Not only did quality of sleep improve but quantity meaning that people were sleeping longer after adding cherries to their routine! The effects of eating sweet cherries (Rainier) were apparent 3 days after consuming them and the impacts were significant!
Cognitive functioning also improved but it makes you wonder – was that because people were getting better sleep?
Add Rainier Cherries to your sleep hygiene routine and you can’t go wrong!
They May Help To Create Regularity With Your Digestive System
Cherries are a great source of fiber which can promote regularity with your digestive system. We do suggest that you don’t over-do it because too much fiber is not healthy but a small serving of cherries each day will have many benefits.
Rainier Cherries May Aid Your Immune System and Prevent Sickness
Another great benefit of anti-oxidants is an increased immune system. These anti-oxidants will fight free radicals and promote optimal health for your immune system! Make sure to keep Rainier cherries around if you’re coming down with a cold!
They May Help Increase Cognitive Functioning and Prevent Degeneration of the Brain
Rainier Cherries are rich in Anthocyanin which has positive benefits for your brain. In this study, researchers found that individuals who consumed flavonoids (in cherries) regularly were less likely to suffer from Dementia and brain deterioration.
Rainier Cherry Recipes That You’ll Love
Don’t wait until National Rainier Cherry Day to enjoy the benefits of this powerhouse stone fruit. Check out a few of our favorite recipes below! Important Note: These recipes are best when made with fresh cherries.
Final Thoughts
We hope you loved reading about Rainier cherries and all the wonderful benefits that consuming them will bring! If you found one of these facts to be surprising, let us know! Try adding Rainier cherries to your daily routine by eating a few in the morning with breakfast or as an afternoon snack!
If you want to mix things up, add a few to your ice cream or just eat a cup of cherries as-is because that’s also a good idea.
If you’re looking to add a Rainier Cherry tree to your backyard, it’s important to be mindful that they are not self-fertile and you will need to plant other trees.
And the last piece of information that we will leave you with is – go for the fresh cherries, Maraschino Cherries are good but there’s nothing like a fresh cup of cherries!