Global leader in natural ingredients, Nexira shares the many benefits of superfood tart cherry and ways in which it can be formulated for super nutrition.
Having their origins in Europe, tart cherries, also known as sour cherries, have been cultivated for millennia. Also native to North Africa and West Asia, tart cherries were first introduced to North America in the 1600s by European settlers, and were commonly used in jams, pies, and other baked goods. With their unique sour-sweet flavor, they are bright red when harvested, though some varieties, such as Bing cherries, are an even darker shade – crimson or nearly black.
The traditional harvest process is called “shaking” and typically takes place in July or August, as the tart cherries ripen in the summer months.Nowadays, in the U.S. almost all tart cherries are harvested with mechanical shakers, which makes the colossal task much faster than it once was. Instead of human harvesters shaking the trees, a harvesting machine encircles each individual tree, agitating the trunk until the cherries are shaken loose and dropped to a bed beneath. The cherries are then quickly chilled down in large bins of cold water prior to being transported to a facility where they are rinsed again (with even colder water) to retain their firmness, and are then pitted. They are either eaten fresh, frozen, or dried – in any form, tart cherries retain their nutrients.
Interestingly, unlike most sweet cherry varieties, sour cherry trees are self-pollinizing, meaning they do not need another type of fruit tree nearby in order to complete the process of pollination.
Tart cherries are popularly enjoyed in juice form, either alone or blended with other fruit juices. Typically harvested in the summer months, they are a great source of key nutrients all year long, available frozen, or as dried tart cherry fruit powder. Tart cherry benefits powder is a source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, and dietary fiber. Tart Cherry is closely related to the sweet cherry but has a more acidic fruit with higher nutritional benefits, and they are slightly lower in sugar than sweet cherries.
Rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanins and phenolic acids, tart cherry can help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation in the body; many of the potential health benefits of tart cherries are attributed to their specific and abundant polyphenol content.
Studies have demonstrated that consuming tart cherry juice after exercise, can help to reduce inflammation and muscle strain, potentially improving performance and recovery. Tart cherry is popular with all sorts of athletes, amateurs and professionals alike thanks to its anti inflammatory properties. Post-workout body soreness is known to be caused by a combination of inflammation, muscle damage, and oxidative stress. Studies suggest that the natural compounds in tart cherries, including anthocyanins and phenolic acids may help with all three, reducing muscle soreness, when consumed before or after a workout in a beverage such as a sports drink or smoothie.
Nearly 33% of Americans report not sleeping enough each night, suffering from symptoms of insomnia. Tart cherry juice is a popular beverage which research suggests can help improve sleep when used as a natural health aid.
The dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a better health, yet CDC statistics tell us that average Americans don’t consume enough fruit and vegetables. Most consume less than one serving of fruit and two servings of vegetables per day. To achieve a more balanced diet, nutritionists recommend adding more superfoods in appropriate amounts on a daily basis. One of the most convenient ways to do that is by using nutrient-dense superfood powders, including tart cherry.
Every superfood powder has unique nutritional qualities, and each is correlated to specific health benefits. Tart cherry is one of the leading superfoods, with its multiple nutritional and health benefits: reducing inflammation, enhancing exercise performance, boosting immunity, and helping reduce the risk of certain chronic conditions.
The consumer trend of seeking foods that naturally promote health and well-being is expected to continue throughout 2023 and beyond. Consumers state that when making a decision to purchase foods, beverages, and supplements, the key factors by which they are influenced include such things as accessibility, convenience, and affordability. They perceive superfoods, which possess numerous functional qualities, as super healthy. All this criteria is what makes tart cherry one of the number-one selling superfoods in the U.S.
Looking to create a smoothie, energy bar, trail mix, or baked treat that has an added zing of nutrition? You’d be wise to start building your recipe by selecting nutrient-dense ingredients such as superfood powders, including Blooming Tart Cherry Fruit Powder by Nexira. With its sweet and sour flavor,plus an appealing deep burgundy color, tart cherry fruit powder isone of the best-sellers from Nexira’s POW(D)ER by Mother Nature range. These natural sensory ingredients are easy to use for formulators and blenders who want to add some extra flavor for greater appeal to health-conscious consumers. Tart Cherry Fruit Powder is vegan and gluten-free, suitable for every diet.
Blooming Tart Cherry Fruit Powder is a popular ingredient for use in smoothies, energy bars, superfood bowls, and sports drinks. Nutrient-dense tart cherry fruit is rich in a compound called anthocyanins, which are flavonoid pigments with antioxidant properties known to help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals. Drinking tart cherry juice powder is a convenient way to benefit from the unique nutritional properties of tart cherries without having to juice the cherries or eat them fresh. It is an excellent addition to smoothies and can be used as a natural sweetener when baking.
Tart cherry can be used to create a refreshing drink, such as Tart Cherry Limeade, for pre- or post-workout, or any time of day: In a blender, combine a cup of fresh lime juice with 1 tsp. of Blooming Tart Cherry Powder, ¼ cup of Agave Syrup, and 7 cups of cold water. Serve immediately over ice, garnished with slices of fresh lime (and fresh tart cherries, if available). Another easy way to experience the benefits of tart cherry on a daily basis is to mix one tablespoon of tart cherry fruit powder with oatmeal, or with plain or vanilla yogurt – or just add it to your favorite smoothie.
Blooming TART CHERRY Fruit Powder is an antioxidant-rich superfood with many health benefits.
The nutrient-dense range of powders from Nexira are 100% natural and minimally processed.
Use superfood powders with micronutrients to create products with health benefits that are important to consumers.
Nutrient-dense superfoods can help maintain an optimal diet. It’s valuable for formulators to understand the specific properties and health benefits of each of the superfood powders in order to create appealing foods and beverages with desirable tastes and textures. Use superfood powders, such as tart cherry, acai, and blueberry in your formulations to create blends which will deliver the maximum benefits that consumers are seeking across the U.S. and Canada.
This communication is not intended to the final consumer. It provides scientific information for professionals only. Communications to the final consumer have to be checked according to local regulations in force, since the conditions of use are beyond our control. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
