The Spanish cherry season is well under way, and it's possible to buy a kilo of large, juicy cherries for just a couple of Euros. As one of the deeply coloured fruits, cherries are chock full of antioxidants, so it's a very healthy food indeed. No wonder they call cherries 'superfood.'
Antioxidants mop up the free radicals that can cause diseases such as cancer. Free radicals can also cause premature aging, so if you want to keep young and beautiful, gorge yourself on cherries. Cherries also have anti-inflammatory properties, so they can ease painful joints and reduce redness and puffiness on the body.
Cherries contain melatonin, which helps you to relax and sleep well, so they are great stress busters, and as everyone knows, restful sleep means good all around health. So, if you fancy a healthy late night snack, grab a handful of cherries. It doesn't stop there, though, because cherries are also great for natural skin care. Here are some simple recipes for face masks using cherries.
Take a handful of really ripe cherries, remove the stones and then mash them up with a fork or a potato masher. Mix the cherry pulp with a couple of tablespoons of Greek yogurt, then apply to the complexion and leave for around 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. It's a great pick me up for dull skin, and if you add a tablespoon of sugar, it doubles up as a natural exfoliant.
If you have a problem with age spots or fine lines, take another handful of cherries, mash and mix with a couple of tablespoons of honey. Again, leave for about 20 minutes for best results. For a great mask for dry skin, mix your handful of cherries with the flesh of a ripe peach and a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. It may be easier to do this in a food processor or blender.
Of course, there's one problem with using cherries for skin care. They are so delicious, you might find you've eaten them all before you make that beautifying face pack. No problem - just head for the market and buy some more. They're certainly cheap enough!
