I’m not really a huge fan of diets, but I do believe in eating well and nourishing your body. For the sake of this article, we will stick with the word ‘diet’. In our house, we have been eating a whole lot of cherries lately! Not only are they delicious, but they pack quite a healthy punch as well. And apparently, they can help you to lose some belly fat, if this is something you are looking for.
Have you ever heard of the cherry diet? It’s becoming more popular nowadays because it’s incredibly easy to follow. There is only one rule to this diet – to eat cherries every day and/or to drink fresh cherry juice. Although they are more popular for their taste, researchers are now seeing that cherries are actually extremely healthy as well. The bioactive components and nutrients found in this fruit are linked to the prevention of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
However, not only will they protect you from various health conditions, but cherries will also make it easier for you to accomplish your weight loss goals. There are a few reasons why cherries help promote weight loss.
First of all, they don’t contain a lot of calories (the average cherry contains 5 calories). Although a lot of other fruits contain fewer calories, it’s worth noting that cherries aren’t considered to be high-calorie foods. You can easily satisfy your hunger with a dozen cherries, which roughly amounts to 60 calories.
Cherries do a good job of satisfying your hunger because they are rich in fiber. All weight-loss diets that exist suggest that you should consume more fiber, since this nutrient isn’t easily digested by your body. In other words, you will have to drink a lot of water in order to move it through your digestive system. This will help you with your weight loss goals because it water will contribute to the feeling of fullness.
It’s also worth mentioning that many people often confuse thirst with hunger, so staying hydrated will also prevent you from overeating. The great thing about fiber is that consuming it will help you feel full for an extended time period. This means that it will actually help prevent you from overeating on other foods that are potentially high in calories.
On top of that, the soluble type of fiber that absorbs water helps you by slowing the absorption of sugars, thus making your body store less fat.
Dark cherries also contain compounds known as anthocyanins, which will help you reduce belly fat. Back in 2008, the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published a study, which showed just how powerful these compounds are when it comes to reduced belly fat (http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Anthocyanins-show-potent-anti-obesity-potential-study).
Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments that are found in a lot of different fruits and vegetables. Although there is still a lot of research to be done on the way anthocyanins are absorbed and distributed in the tissues of our bodies, researchers generally agree that these compounds can be a powerful tool for weight loss.
Although cherries definitely can help you reduce belly fat, simply adding them to your existing diet won’t do the trick. There are no magical foods that you will help you shed those extra pounds simply by consuming them.
Cherries will help you reach your weight loss goals, but you will also need to make sure that your diet is filled with other fresh produce. On top of that, you should avoid eating junk food – naturally – and you should exercise regularly if you want to shed those extra pounds.
With that being said, you should definitely include cherries into your diet and you should be encouraged to consume them whenever you feel the urge to snack on something. By keeping your fridge stocked with washed cherries, you will always have a snack that you can munch on. If you need a snack on the run, grab a washed handful or two and put them into a container – off you go!
However you choose to consume your summer fruits, remember the rainbow rule! Include a wide variety of colors to keep yourself and your family in tip top nutrient shape. Bon appetit!
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