However, if the former president *did* cut down a cherry tree, it's kind of hard to blame him for it. The fruit is insanely delicious (cherry pie is bae) and actually has bona fide health-boosting properties.

“Cherries supply a good source of fiber and are rich in health-promoting antioxidants,” says Jill Keene, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified personal trainer in New York City. But you can also use cherries in targeted ways, namely to improve sleep and post-exercise recovery, she says. Here are the biggest benefits of cherries, according to Keene:

1. They can help promote healthy weight management

One cup of fresh cherries has 100 calories and three grams of fiber. While fruit in general—especially higher sugar picks like cherries—has been maligned, there’s no reason to fear fruit. Eating more fiber via fruit is a good thing: ramping up fiber intake is associated with weight loss, research in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

2. They won't mess with your blood sugar

“Cherries are lower on the glycemic index, meaning they spike your blood sugar less than many other fruits,” says Keene. In a review on 29 studies on the benefits of cherries, researchers found that, among other perks, the fruit lowered HbA1c levels (a measurement of average blood sugar over a period of three months) in those who had type 2 diabetes.