Studies show that tart cherries—the kind found in pie filling (score!)—have some great health benefits. As it turns out, these fruits have noticeable anti-inflammatory qualities. Athletes who drank tart cherry juice before a race felt less pain and recovered more quickly afterward than those who did not.
So the next time we’re sore, we might skip the NSAIDs and reach for the cherries, because the health benefits don’t stop there. They are also packed with antioxidants, including sleep-regulating melatonin. Advil doesn’t offer that! The only downside we can see? These little buggers (unless they’re in a syrupy, delicious pie) are tart with a capital T, especially when they’re fresh. So beware, and maybe try them dried, frozen or juiced instead.