Researchers suggest that the first cherry trees appeared in Mesopotamia and since then sweet and sour berries have not lost their popularity. The cherry berries delighted the Egyptians and Greeks, and the Romans adored the delicate flowers of this tree.
Benefits for the body
Most of us are guessing that cherries are an extremely healthy berry. But nevertheless, few will be able to explain exactly what this drupe is important.
And there are really a lot of benefits from it. As the researchers believe, cherries are rich in antioxidants, which means that they significantly reduce the risk of many types of cancer, heart disease, inflammatory processes, including in the joints. These berries contain melatonin, which slows down aging and improves sleep.
Cherries are a multivitamin complex in the form of a small berry. They are rich in vitamins B, K, A, ascorbic acid, many useful elements from the periodic table. This is a delicious way to give the body potassium, manganese, magnesium, copper. The berry contains iron, phosphorus, zinc. Cherries are glucose that gives us energy; fiber, which is important for digestion and the work of other systems; these are antioxidants that protect against cancer and other serious diseases. Having studied the rich chemical composition of berries, scientists talked about the ability of berries to break down fats, remove excess cholesterol from the body, reduce swelling, and improve metabolism. And this is just a small part of the possible benefits of cherries for the human body.
Nutritional value at 100 g
Calories 50 kcal Proteins 1 g Fats 0,3 g Carbohydrates 12,18 g Fiber 1,6 g Vitamin C 43 mg Vitamin A 0,3 mg Vitamin B1 0,4 mg Vitamin B2 0,03 mg Vitamin B3 0,4 mg Vitamin B6 0,05 mg Vitamin B9 9 μg Sodium 3 mg Potassium 179 mg Calcium 16 mg Copper 0,104 mg Iron 0,32 mg Magnesium 9 mg Manganese 0, 112 mg Phosphorus 15 mg Zinc 0,1 mg
The benefits of berries
Anti-inflammatory
The red color of cherries is a sign of the presence of substances known as anthocyanins. These compounds act as a barrier against free radicals and prevent inflammation. By the way, this ability of cherries is used not only in folk medicine, but also in traditional pharmacology.
Reduces arthritis and gout pain
Gout is a painful inflammation of the joints. It can affect one or more joints at the same time. In traditional medicine, non-steroidal drugs are used to relieve pain. But facilitating the disease, this type of medication adversely affects the digestive organs (cause vomiting, gastritis, ulceration of the mucous membranes, and also damage the kidneys).
But there is a natural analogue of these medicines. Containing bioflavonoids and anthocyanins, cherries relieve pain and treat inflammation. But that’s not all. The special chemical composition of cherry juice helps to reduce the concentration of uric acid in the body (namely, it is often the cause of inflammation in the joints). By the way, researchers noticed that the amount of a substance harmful to the body decreases every time after eating cherries.
Prevents cancer
Malignant formations are the result of the uncontrolled growth of mutated cells. Today, more than a hundred types of cancer are known, each of which is classified according to the type of reborn cells. Malignant tumors can develop rapidly, interfering with digestion, the work of the nervous or circulatory system, affecting the hormonal background or blood count.
Laboratory studies have shown that cherries are able to inhibit the growth of these very malignant tumors. And again, this is the merit of anthocyanins, quercetin, ellagic acid and melatonin. The combination of these two compounds makes cherries very powerful in preventing cancer.
Migraine medicine
A migraine is a more serious problem than just a nasty headache.
As a rule, it is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to noise and light, tingling in the hands and feet, and “flashes” before the eyes. And again, cherry fruits come to the rescue, which work on the principle of pain medications.
Remedy for insomnia
Insomnia is usually the result of a therapeutic or psychological disorder. But whatever the reason for the loss of sleep, cherry juice will help get rid of the disturbance. The brain has a small pineal gland. It produces the substance melatonin, on which the adequate alternation of the state of sleep and wakefulness depends. Malfunctions cause insomnia. What do cherries have to do with it? Scientists have found that those who love these berries produce melatonin more actively, and the sleep cycle is close to ideal.
Benefits for the heart and blood vessels
The task of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body and ensure the uninterrupted enrichment of all organs with oxygen and nutrients. From the heart, blood circulates through the arteries, and returns back to the heart through the veins. It would seem that there is nothing complicated in this process. But when the body’s cholesterol levels exceed healthy levels, heart problems begin. In the vessels of excess fat, atherosclerotic plaques form, which impede blood flow. The heart has to work much harder to keep pumping blood throughout the body. Breaking this process is extremely dangerous.
And now it’s time again to remember the sweet and sour drupe. Cherry juice contains anthocyanins. These, recall, are the substances responsible for the red pigment in cherries. And it is these natural dyes that are incredibly beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Anthocyanins have been shown to have the amazing ability to prevent the buildup of excess cholesterol in the body. And this discovery became a real revolution in the treatment of cardio-diseases.
And don’t forget about potassium, which is contained in the berry in significant portions. This chemical element is known for its benefits for the heart and blood vessels. In particular, this is an extremely useful substance for people with high blood pressure. In addition, potassium is important for the healthy functioning of the brain, kidneys, and muscle tissue. It is this element from the periodic table that is called one of the most important for the prevention of stroke.
Prevents aging
What is aging in the body? Simply put, this is when old cells die faster than new ones are formed. Early aging is the result of unhealthy lifestyles, environmental influences and the effects of hazardous substances on the cells of the body. The first signs of aging are discoloration of the skin of the face, the appearance of wrinkles, the development of chronic diseases. But perhaps the most common culprits in early aging are free radicals. They destroy healthy cells and cause irreversible processes in the body. Antioxidant substances are able to resist them. And cherries have been shown to be extremely rich in antioxidants in many studies.
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of berries make them useful for preventing heart disease, cognitive impairment (including the prevention of dementia). Cherries are good for the eyes – they protect against retinal degeneration and glaucoma caused by free radicals.
Try not to miss the season of cherries, give your body as many of these berries as possible and you can forget about early old age, chronic diseases and fatigue.
For people with diabetes
Cherries are a low glycemic food. For those who do not know: the glycemic index indicates how many units the blood glucose level rises after consuming a particular product. For cherries, this indicator is kept within 22 points. And this is lower than that of grapes, peaches, blueberries, plums or apricots. In addition, these berries contain many useful components that can strengthen the body and protect against the harmful effects of the environment. But it is important to remind that only natural cherries and juices from them, without added sugar, are useful for people with diabetes.
For weight loss
Researchers have found that cherries promote faster fat breakdown and effective weight loss. And what is most interesting, cherries choose fat deposits in the abdomen as their “target”. True, this ability of berries was tested in laboratory only on experimental rats. But scientists are convinced that a similar effect occurs within human organisms.
Benefits for the circulatory system
Even the inhabitants of Ancient Greece used cherries to stop profuse bleeding, including after childbirth. This practice does not surprise modern scientists, since they know that cherries contain coumarins – chemicals that stabilize the blood clotting process. Interestingly, coumarins are equally beneficial for bleeding and excessive blood clots.
In addition, there are other components useful for the circulatory system in the fruits. So magnesium, copper and iron are responsible for the production of red blood cells, which means they prevent anemia. It is enough to look at the chemical composition of cherries to understand that they are an excellent natural remedy for anemia.
Effect on the male body
If vitamin E is called “the most feminine” useful substance, then for men the “most-most” is zinc. This substance regulates hormonal levels in male organisms, promotes more intense sperm production, and protects the prostate gland. Thus, delicate sweet and sour cherries can be called the most masculine berry, giving the stronger sex a second youth.
Alternative medicine use
Not only berries are beneficial for the body, but also bark, young branches, leaves and cherry flowers. For many centuries, mankind has repeatedly resorted to the help of this plant in the treatment of various diseases.
And if we talk about the bark, then it is most often used to treat respiratory diseases, coughs, and also as a sedative and medicine for seizures. A decoction of cherry bark or twigs is also found in recipes for treating the stomach. In particular, this tea is advised to improve digestion.
Leaves, like berries, contain a high concentration of coumarin, which affects blood clotting. In particular, fresh berries and a decoction of the leaves are useful for people prone to thrombosis. By the way, cherry is one of the richest plants containing coumarin. Only red currants, black chokeberries and pomegranates can boast of a large amount of this substance. Fresh leaf gruel was applied to wounds to stop bleeding.
In Russia, cherry was one of the most popular medicinal plants. A drink made from cherry juice and milk was given to people with epileptic seizures, a decoction of the berries was used to calm the nerves and as a medicine for cholecystitis. With cherry juice, our great-grandmothers treated anemia, hypertension, decreased gastric secretion and lack of appetite, and with a decoction of the petioles – inflammation in the genitourinary system.
Cherry gum (1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water) was used as a medicine for urolithiasis and tuberculosis, and an alcoholic infusion or decoction from the roots of a tree is useful for stomach ulcers and diseases of the duodenum.
Possible side effects
Usually cherries are well tolerated by the body and only in rare cases can berries cause allergies. Also cherries are not suitable for people with high acidity and stomach ulcers.
But what can be a real danger is cherry pits. They contain amygdalin. Under the influence of gastric juices, cherry pits produce poisonous hydrocyanic acid. Although in micro doses, it can be helpful in treating kidney stones.
Cherry cosmetics
Rich in beneficial elements, cherry pulp can be used as a face mask. A product made from cherry juice and potato starch can help narrow pores on oily skin. Fruit gruel is also useful as a hair mask. A good home remedy for hair is a decoction of cherry twigs or leaves. This nourishing agent can be used to rinse clean hair to make it manageable and soft.
In Hinduism, cherry is a symbolic tree of the gods, in Russia this plant was considered a talisman against evil spirits, and in the Christian tradition red berries are identified with the blood of Christ. This tree was also considered sacred by the Germans, who believed that a good spirit dwelt in the cherry crown. Cherry is still appreciated today. Moreover, modern man knows much more about its beneficial properties than his ancestors.
