Whether baked in a pie or freshly picked off the tree, cherries are popular for their distinctive taste. But cherries are also loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols that help fight disease.

That bright red maraschino cherry adorning the top of your ice cream sundae evolved from a treat reserved for royalty. As a child you popped them into your mouth without a second thought.

Tart cherry juice gets its bitter taste from the antioxidants that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects, reports Oregon Health and Science University. The juice has been shown to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with exercise as well as the chronic inflammation of arthritis.

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints, causing swelling, stiffness, limited mobility and pain. PubMed Health says approximately 37 million people in the U.S. have arthritis, which equates to almost 1 out of every 7 individuals.

Eating cherries gives you vitamins, minerals and hormones. These important nutrients contain antioxidants which can help you fight sickness and disease.

Unless you’re allergic to cherries, these fruits are unlikely to cause serious side effects. However, eating cherries in excess or as part of a very high-fiber diet may lead to unpleasant effects.

Tart cherries, also called sour cherries, are grown in several regions of the United States. Cherries are naturally low in fat and calories, making them the perfect addition to any healthy eating plan.

Cherry-flavored vodka is sometimes consumed as a plain shot but also finds use in mixed drinks. When added to cocktails, cherry vodka adds a sweet taste as well as calories.

The hamstring muscles are generally an under-developed muscle group in the body, especially for women. The hamstrings are on the back of the leg and consist of three muscles: the biceps femoris, the semitendinosus and the semimembranosus.

Fresh cherries are sweet, rich in taste and conveniently bite-sized. Eating a handful of fresh cherries won't rack up a lot of calories, but may leave you wanting more.

Bing cherries are the most popular sweet cherry variety produced in the United States, according to Oregon State University. The skin of this sweet cherry is a deep burgundy -- almost black -- color. Other black, sweet cherry varieties include Sam, Schmidt, Ulster, Vista, Black Republican and Black Tartarian.

With their vibrant, deep red color and tart but sweet taste, dried cherries make for a flavorful addition to your diet.