5 Reasons to Eat More Tart Cherries

If you want to add superfoods to your diet in the new year, Montmorency tart cherries may be perfect for you. Montmorency is the variety of tart cherries grown in America, primarily on small family farms. Compared to sweet cherries that are typically eaten fresh during the summer season, tart cherries are available year-round as dried, frozen, canned, juice and juice concentrate.

Decades of scientific research has shown Montmorency tart cherries are deserving of their superfood reputation. Here are five reasons to enjoy them more often:

■ Sleep: Tart cherries are one of the few food sources of melatonin and have been the focus of multiple sleep studies.

■ Exercise recovery: Tart cherry juice has become a popular exercise recovery drink for athletes.

■ Arthritis and gout: Studies have explored the impact of Montmorency tart cherry juice consumption on gout attacks and arthritis symptoms.

■ Heart health: Montmorency tart cherry research has examined blood pressure and blood lipids.

■ Versatility: Although they remain perfect for pie, tart cherries can easily transition from sweet to savory, adding complex flavors to oatmeal, smoothies, salads, granola bars, trail mix and grain bowls.

Look for dried U.S.-grown tart cherries at the store and online for enjoyment at the start of your day and at night in recipes like Tart Cherry Overnight Oats and Tart Cherry Bedtime Bites.