What are the benefits of cherries for health – 8 theses based on research

Cherry is a woody plant, the fruits of which are highly appreciated for their sweet taste and pleasant aroma. They began to be actively used for food at the end of the 19th century.

Berry pulp contains high concentrations of antioxidant substances, vitamins and minerals necessary for the human body.

The rich composition determines the beneficial properties that fresh cherries possess. According to scientists, it can reduce the risk of developing the most common cardiovascular diseases, normalize metabolism and body weight, as well as Strengthen the immune system .

8 useful properties

Below are 8 facts about the benefits of cherries for our health, which are confirmed by numerous studies.

1. A valuable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants

Cherries have a relatively low calorie content (63 calories per 100 grams) and contains the following biologically active substances are in their composition:

Fruits also contain a small amount of antioxidant substances that reduce the risk of developing malignant diseases, as well as pathologies from the heart and blood vessels, and the endocrine system.

2. Reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases

As claimed scientists from China, any diet rich in fruits, berries or vegetables is associated with a low risk of heart and vascular diseases. Herbal products prevent the development of atherosclerosis, reduce blood pressure, and improve the rheological properties of blood by blocking the formation of blood clots.

Cherries contain a fairly high volume of potassium. Proven that potassium supports contractility of the heart muscle and reduces blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles of the artery walls.

American scientists discovered that cherries are able to reduce the severity of metabolic syndrome – a complex of disorders in the body, including hypertension, obesity, gout, type II diabetes, etc. This effect is probably due to the presence of anthocyanins, flavonoids, catechins and polyphenolic antioxidants in the composition of the plant.

Thus, cherries reduce the risk of developing the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system: coronary heart disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke.

3. Improving the functioning of the immune system

Cherries contain a number of antioxidants and vitamin C, which are extremely Useful for the immune system .

Antioxidants normalize metabolism, reduce the risk of developing autoimmune pathologies.

Vitamin C, according to the data researchers from New Zealand, increases the resistance of barrier tissues (skin, mucous membranes) to the introduction of any external infectious agents of bacterial, viral or fungal nature.

Vitamin C also accelerates the division and differentiation of T- and B-link cells, stimulates the work of cells with macrophage activity.

With sufficient intake of vitamin C in the body, infectious and inflammatory diseases, especially respiratory infections, are less common.

4. Anticancer effect

Experiments on rodents conducted under the guidance of American scientists, demonstrate that cherries are able to inhibit the development of cancer cells.

The action is associated with the presence of a number of anthocyanins in the plant, which block the malignant transformation of cells, as well as slow down the growth of existing foreign tissues.

Proven effective against colon and rectal cancer.

5. Improving skin and hair health

Cherries have significant potential in improving the condition of the skin and hair. Its main advantages include:

1. Skin hydration, prevention of the formation of black dots.
2. UV protection. Merry reduces the probability of the formation of cancerous tumors under the influence of harmful radiation from the sun, which has carcinogenic activity.
3. Prevention of wrinkles.
4. Improvement of hair condition. Proven that against the background of regular consumption of cherries, hair falls out less often, becomes less brittle, and loses its greasy shine.

6. Weight Loss Aid

According to information foreign experts, the intake of cherries helps to reduce the severity and prevents the development of metabolic syndrome.

Anthocyanins, which are part of the plant, depressing the activity of key markers of inflammation (interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and, thereby, prevent the development of metabolic syndrome, the main component of which is obesity.

Vitamin C plays an equally important role, which accelerates the breakdown of adipose tissue in order to obtain energy for the needs of the body.

7. Improving children's health

Cherries have a unique composition of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which are extremely useful for children.

A similar set of substances possesses the following benefits for the child's body:

1. Increased resistance to infectious agents. Mainly at an early age, there is a decrease in the risk of developing not only acute respiratory diseases, but also "childhood infections".
2. Proper development of all organs and systems.
3. Normalization of the cardiovascular system. Cherries improve the course of vegetative-vascular dystonia (due to the potassium content), which is extremely common in adolescence.

8. Recommended during pregnancy and lactation

Cherries are recommended to be included in the diet of women during pregnancy and lactation in order to prevent malformations and increase the child's resistance to external infectious agents.

The use of berries helps to reduce the severity of toxicosis (especially in the early stages of pregnancy), the correct laying of all organs and tissues of the unborn child. The plant also reduces the risk of complications of labor.

Harm and contraindications

In some situations, cherries can be harmful. It should be discontinued in the presence of the following contraindications:

1. Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Cherries contain a number of extraactive substances that irritate the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum, as well as other side effects. At the level of the small and large intestines, sorbitol, which is also abundant in the pulp, has a negative effect. It is recommended not to use cherries with exacerbation of gastritis, enteritis, peptic ulcer disease, as well as in the presence of malabsorption syndrome or irritable bowel, as this is dangerous for complications.
2. Allergic reactions for cherries or other representatives of the Pink family in the anamnesis (in case of cross-allergy).
3. Diabetes mellitus. Berries contain a lot of easily digestible carbohydrates, therefore, in the presence of type I and type II diabetes, they can be consumed only according to the recommendations of the attending physician.

How to use it correctly?

Let's look at the main rules:

1. The best way to receive. The easiest and most useful way to consume any berries is fresh. If desired, you can add a little cinnamon, pour whipped cream or low-fat yogurt. You can eat a berry in the morning on an empty stomach and even at night.
2. Daily dosage. The maximum daily allowance is up to 600-700 grams, weekly – up to 2,000 grams.
3. Variety selection. The maximum amount of vitamin C and antioxidants is noted in red and maroon cherry varieties. Yellow and white cherries contain fewer valuable substances. Wild varieties contain the largest amount of biologically active substances.
4. Use in cooking. Cherries are often made into compotes, juices, and fruit drinks. Less commonly used for the preparation of fruit wine, jam, jam, fruit jelly and confectionery. Teas, decoctions and tinctures are prepared from berries, leaves, twigs and stalks. It is not recommended to use bones.
5. The difference from cherries. Compared with cherries, cherries have a less irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. But cherries are richer in vitamin C and have a lower glycemic index. Otherwise, the berries have almost the same composition and medicinal properties.
6. Comparison with strawberries. If there is a choice between cherries and strawberries, then it is the latter that is more useful. Strawberries contain almost 10 times more vitamin C, as well as a lot of manganese and vitamin B9. At the same time, the berries are perfectly combined and complement each other, so there is no need to choose one thing.

How to save for the winter?

There are many ways to store berries for a long time.

1. Freezing. is the most useful storage method. It is frozen cherries that preserve the maximum amount of antioxidant substances, vitamins, macro- and microelements, as well as of dietary fiber in its entirety. The duration of storage of berries after freezing is no more than 1 year. Repeated freezing is unacceptable.
2. Drying. Dried cherries have a significant caloric content. It should not be consumed by people suffering from obesity or diabetes of any type.
3. Options with added sugar. Cherry jam is the most common method of harvesting for the winter. It contains a large amount of sugar, which means it is extremely important to normalize consumption. Also a popular option is sweet cherries mashed with sugar. It has a short shelf life and serves as a raw material for making teas or fruit drinks. Both options are contraindicated for people with obesity and pathologies of the glycemic background.

Proper freezing

In order to properly freeze the berries, it is necessary:

1. Select the best berries (large, without damage), rinse them, remove the seeds and dry thoroughly.
2. Spread out on trays, if several layers of berries are laid out, make a polyethylene layer.
3. Freeze from 12 to 18 hours.
4. Then pour the berries into a bag and store in the freezer. The shelf life is up to 12 months.

Conclusion

1. Cherries are a valuable source of antioxidant substances, vitamins and minerals.
2. With regular use, the berry reduces the risk of developing diseases from the heart and blood vessels, as well as malignant neoplasms.
3. The plant also improves the condition of the skin and hair, reduces body weight.
4. The berry is recommended during pregnancy, lactation, as well as for children in the first years of life.