Discover the powerful health benefits of cherries; this little red fruit is not only delicious but also full of antioxidants, fiber, and low in calories. It also helps to prevent various diseases, including diabetes and certain types of cancer. The cherry is a small red fruit from the cherry tree, a plant of the genus Prunus (such as apricot, almond, peach, plum, etc.). A little less famous than strawberries, cherries are small fleshy fruits that have a core, a sphere shape, often a dark red color.
The fruit of cherry contains
- The beta-carotene (provitamin A), cherry brings a record amount of beta carotene from fruit (0.4mg per 100g)
- Vitamin C
- B vitamins
- Dietary fiber (which is important for a healthy digestive system)
- Many minerals (discussed in the “nutrition facts” at the bottom of page)
- A great number of antioxidants.
This fruit comes in 2 types
- Sweet cherries (sweet) are the ones you see most often in markets.
- Sour cherries (tart)
This fruit can be kept easily. They remain fresh for about a week in the refrigerator and up to a year in the freezer. It’s easy to add them to your daily diet. You can drink a glass of cherry juice for breakfast, or add sweet cherries to your bowl of cereal or oatmeal in the morning. Also try to add to salads or yogurt for breakfast, or eat the fresh taste.
Benefits of cherries
1. Diuretics and remineralizing
Cherry is known to be diuretic: it is probably the result of its high water and potassium, and also the presence of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol plant. Due to its mineral wealth, cherry participates in the balance of the internal environment. Its metabolism releases alkaline compounds that oppose the action generally to acidifying the current supply.
2. A varied vitamin intake
With a portion of 125g cherries, cover 20 to 30% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, a vitamin whose action is enhanced by the anthocyanin pigments. This portion of cherries ensures 25% of the recommended daily intake of provitamin A, or carotene (vitamin essential to the good condition of the skin, cellular antioxidant, anti-cancer, and likely protective). Finally, the icing is also involved in the coverage of the organization’s needs, in particular, vitamin B9 or folic acid (anti-anemic) = one serving of 125g covers nearly 15% of the recommended daily intake.
3. It helps to relax
It provides a relaxing effect on the nervous system, but also allows better concentration. This feature is due to its smell. One study showed that persons subject to the smell of cherry are 15% more productive. The reason would be the icing stimulates the brain area responsible for attention, and thus would increase the effectiveness of the task done.
4. Powerful anti-inflammatory properties
The diuretic action of cherry makes it particularly useful for people with arthritis and gout, especially as we have recently discovered that the cherry contains high amounts of anthocyanins, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties very powerful. According to research, cherries are 10 times more effective than aspirin in reducing inflammation of the tissues that cause headaches.
5. Cherries and Weight loss
The cherry is a good source of pectin, a soluble fiber that dissolves in the body and form in the intestine a kind of sticky gel. It binds to harmful substances and prevents them from being absorbed into the body. The fat molecules become trapped in the gel and can not enter the bloodstream. When pectin is dissolved in the stomach, it expands and takes up more space. It slows the absorption of sugars and gives a feeling of satiety. Eat fruits rich in pectin promotes weight loss and cardiovascular health.
Eat this fruit for diet
Like most fruits, the fruit of the cherry is low in fat, low in calories (100 g cherry bring between 60 and 68 calories only). Eat this fruit (like other fruits) therefore provides not only health benefits but also helps to keep your line. In addition, the cherry fruit contains a lot of water (81 g of water in 100 g of cherry). Yet various studies have shown that increasing water consumption elevates energy levels and helps improve metabolism. Recall that a stable, high metabolism helps to burn more calories even at rest, which can help you lose weight.
Cherries are high in potassium and low in sodium. This helps control water retention by improving the balance of water levels in the body. A diet low in sodium often results in a loss of water by weight present excessively in the body. The fruits of cherry thus help lose water weight.
6. Cherries and Anti-cancer
Quercetin and anthocyanin extracts contained in cherry are flavonoids that exert anti carcinogenic activity. Several studies have shown that its use could prevent the formation of lesions in the colons, that could turn into tumors. It would also slow the growth of cancer cells in the intestine.
7. Protects skin
Anthocyanin present in cherries gives this dark red color. This antioxidant is used by the body to manufacture the essential amino acids that are functioning. It also protects the body cells from skin aging and UV radiation. To tone your tan, Cherry gives a boost to tired skin!
8. Fight against insomnia
A US study recently demonstrated the significant presence of melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep cycles and sleeps in cherry. Thus, its consumption may help slow the aging process, combat jet lag, and regulate sleep. This study is a breakthrough for treating people with insomnia naturally.
9. Regulate cholesterol
Cherry is rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that lowers levels of “bad” cholesterol, helping to prevent heart disease.
10. Improve Good vision
The sour cherry contains 19 times more beta-carotene than blueberries. This substance, which is a precursor of vitamin A, contributes to good vision and healthy skin.
11. Preventing Diabetes
If further research needs to be done with humans, a scientific study done on rats argues that tart cherries could help better prevent the onset of diabetes.
