It's easy to see why so many people are fans of fruit combined with chocolate - there's such a wide variety to choose from when it comes to goodies dunked in this sweet concoction. One treat that many chocoholics are partial to is chocolate cherries. Not only are they sweet and sugary, but the cherry itself has many health benefits.
Cherries can be found today in everything from pies to candy to chocolate dipped fruit.
The Health Benefits of Cherries
Whether they're covered in chocolate or eaten right from the tree, cherries have numerous health benefits. HealhDiaries.com reports that this fruit has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it may be able to help fight the effects of free radicals within the body.
Because of its high antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory benefits, cherries are also thought to help with conditions such as arthritis. Some experts believe that the fruit can reduce the risk of heart disease and help maintain cholesterol levels. Cherries that are darker in color have higher antioxidant and vitamin levels, but sour cherries (which are generally light) have high amounts of these nutrients as well.