Tart Cherries -- Today's Hottest Super Fruit

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Feb 16, 2012) - (Family Features) Now more than ever, Americans are aware of health and nutrition and look to their diets as a means to get nutrients naturally. According to top trend forecasters, antioxidants remain a major indicator of health-promoting foods, with nine out of ten of adults aware of antioxidants, and one-third making a strong effort to consume more, according to the study "Mintel 2009; Multi-Sponsor Surveys, 2010."

Known for their powerhouse of antioxidants, tart cherries have emerged as one of today's hottest super fruits. Today there are more than 50 scientific studies specifically on tart cherries, and with the help of leading health expert Dr. Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD, the cherry industry recently launched "The Red Report," a new scientific look at the power of tart cherries.

"The power of this Super Fruit is undeniable," said Dr. Bazilian, author of "The SuperFoodsRx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients." Dr. Bazilian explains that what is really amazing is how far tart cherries have come over the last few years. "For example, the fruit has long been anecdotally associated with pain relief benefits. Today, there's a strong and significant body of evidence backing that up."

Beyond their health benefits, tart cherries are shaping key nutrition trends. "A growing body of research suggests that the powerful antioxidants in tart cherries are linked to a broad range of benefits -- anti-inflammation, heart health, pain relief, exercise recovery and more. Some of the latest reports call out the tart cherry as 'the' Super Fruit to watch," says Dr. Bazilian.

Good Reasons to Eat Red
Available every day of the year in dried, frozen and juice forms, tart cherries can be a powerful way to boost fruit intake and meet current dietary recommendations of two daily fruit servings. Experts suggest consuming 1 to 2 servings of cherries daily can help provide some of the health benefits identified in the research.

Try this flavorful recipe for Honey-Tart Cherry Glazed Salmon with Rustic Tart Cherry Salsa for dinner this week.

Download "The Red Report," find more recipes and tips, or learn more about the health benefits of cherries at www.choosecherries.com.

Honey-Tart Cherry Glazed Salmon with Rustic Tart Cherry Salsa
Recipe courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute in partnership with www.SarahsCucinaBella.com
Serves: 4

Salsa:
1	cup chopped tart cherries (thawed from frozen)
1	small red onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
1	jalapeño, chopped
1	tablespoon honey
1	clove garlic, minced
1	teaspoon grated ginger
	Salt and pepper, to taste

Salmon:
1	pound salmon fillet, cut into four pieces
1/4	cup tart cherry juice (juice from frozen cherries will work)
1/4	cup honey

In medium bowl, stir together ingredients for salsa until well combined. Cover; chill until ready to serve.

Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil or parchment (foil preferred). Rinse salmon fillets under cool water; pat dry with paper towel. Arrange on baking sheet.

In small bowl, whisk together cherry juice and honey. Spread half of mixture over salmon fillets, reserving second half.

Slide baking sheet into oven; bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until just about cooked through. Drizzle second half of tart cherry-honey mixture over fillets; bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly golden at edges.

Serve salmon fillets on bed of greens with tart cherry salsa on top.

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