Cherry: benefits and harms, calories and composition
Cherry berries are not only very tasty, but also extremely useful for the human body. This article will tell you more about this natural treat.
Chemical composition and calorie content
Plantings of cherry trees can be found in different countries. This plant not only blooms very beautifully, but also bears excellent fruit. Many people love to eat cherry berries. The fruits of this plant have a truly unique taste.
Fragrant berries are used in cooking to prepare many delicious dishes. Many people think that cherry berries can only be used to make desserts and drinks. However, it is not.
Juicy cherry fruits have been used in folk medicine for many centuries to create effective remedies that fight the symptoms of various diseases.
For medicinal purposes, not only berries are used, but also other parts of this plant. You can prepare effective remedies from the leaves, as well as from the bark of the cherry. The products prepared from these parts of the plant contain many active ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole organism as a whole. Also, these funds affect the work of internal organs.
The specific taste of cherries is due to a complex of organic acids. Sweet and sour berries contain the following substances:
- acids: malic, citric, salicylic, succinic, ascorbic;
- vitamins: ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, PP;
- mineral compounds: nickel, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, chromium, fluorine, vanadium, molybdenum, boron.
Sweet and sour fruits also contain pectin substances. These components can affect the functioning of the digestive system. Organic sugars give a special sweetish taste to the fruits of cherries. The more natural sugars a cherry contains, the sweeter it tastes. Such varieties of this plant are best suited for the preparation of various fragrant desserts.
Cherry berries are a great dessert. These fruits can be included in your menu even for people who want to lose weight. Such a dessert will be an excellent alternative to harmful high-calorie treats. The calorie content of cherry berries is low - only 51 kcal per 100 grams. Sweet varieties contain more calories as well as carbohydrates.
100 grams of cherry fruit also contains 10.5 g of carbohydrates, 0.7 g of protein and 0.1 fat. Such BJU of the product allows you to use it even in the diet menu. Cherry berries are rich in plant moisture. 100 grams of cherry berries contain more than 84 grams of water.
The calorie content of cherries can be different. For example, 100 grams of fresh cherries will contain fewer calories than a similar amount of dried cherries. Candied cherries are quite a high-calorie dessert. This should be remembered by people who follow strict diets in order to reduce weight. The calorie content of 100 grams of dry cherries is 290 kcal.
The glycemic index of cherries is 25 units. This value of this indicator is not high. That is why cherries can be included in your diet even for people suffering from hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels).
Beneficial features
The benefits of cherries for the human body are enormous. Traditional medicine experts note that not only berries, but also leaves, bark and even the stalks of this plant can be used to improve health. Cherry berries contain many useful components. They contribute to the improvement of health not only in men, but also in women.
Berries
Doctors say that fresh cherry fruits should be eaten by people who take care of their health. They contain many active ingredients with healing properties.
Cherry berries contain components that help normalize blood pressure. In people who regularly consume cherries, the risk of developing hypertensive crises is significantly reduced. The healing effect of cherry berries is also to improve blood counts.
Cherry fruits should definitely be included in your diet for those who have a high risk of developing heart disease. The antioxidants they contain help protect the heart muscle from damage.
Contained in cherry and active ingredients that help remove various metabolites from the body. This action also helps prevent the development of various kidney diseases. With regular use of cherries in the blood, the concentration of uric acid also decreases. This component, accumulating, can lead to the formation of very dangerous pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
Traditional medicine experts note that sweet and sour cherries also contain minerals that improve brain function. Copper contained in berries contributes to the normalization of the functioning of neurons. This action contributes to the activation of the central nervous system, leading to improved memory and concentration.
Cherry berries are a storehouse of active ingredients with a moderate antibacterial effect. Warm drinks made from these sweet and sour berries can help relieve the adverse symptoms of a cold. Sweet and sour berries also contain substances that help reduce inflammation.
Cherry berries also contain pectin components. It has long been known that they are able to influence the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Eating dishes, desserts, and drinks made with cherries can help reduce many of the symptoms of digestive problems.
Drinks made from cherries should also be consumed by people suffering from respiratory diseases. They contain substances that promote the removal of sputum from the bronchial tree. The use of warm cherry drinks also contributes to the sanitation of the bronchi. Such drinks also help to reduce the temperature and remove toxins from the body that are formed during a viral or bacterial infection.
Cherry berries contain many active substances that improve the functioning of the immune system. Sweet and sour fruits should be consumed by people who have a high tendency to develop colds.
The use of sweet and sour berries helps to normalize blood formation.The components contained in the cherry fruits have a beneficial effect on blood cells, leading to an increase in their concentration. They also help increase the concentration of hemoglobin. Copper contained in berries helps to reduce the risk of various pathological conditions, including anemia.
Cherry berries are very useful for men's health. They contain active ingredients that have a positive effect on the functioning of the prostate gland. Men who regularly consume sweet and sour fruits also reduce the risk of developing prostate adenoma, a dangerous disease that can significantly reduce the quality of life. The substances contained in sweet and sour fragrant berries also help to improve the functioning of the testicles - the male gonads.
Men who monitor their health should definitely eat fresh berries. The fragrant fruits contain zinc, an important mineral that is necessary for maintaining good spermatogenesis. Regular intake of this important mineral in the male body helps to reduce the risk of a number of dangerous diseases of the male reproductive system.
Cherry fruits are also useful for women. The components contained in them help to preserve the beauty of the skin for many years. Also, these substances help reduce the risk of developing age-related changes, which, as dermatologists note, begin to appear on the skin by the age of 30. In order to improve the color and tone of the skin, cherry berries can not only be eaten, but also used to make masks and other cosmetics. Preparing them is quite simple even at home.
.
Traditional medicine experts also recommend eating cherries for women who do not tolerate premenstrual syndrome. Sweet and sour berries contain substances that help reduce unpleasant symptoms that occur in the second half of the menstrual cycle. These components help to restore the balance of hormones in the female body, which leads to an improvement in the well-being of a woman during PMS.
You can eat cherry dishes or drink drinks made from these berries during menstruation. In the first week of the menstrual cycle, a woman loses a lot of blood. In some women, blood loss during this period is so significant that it can lead to the development of pathological changes, including anemia. Cherry fruits contain active ingredients that prevent the development of such pathologies.
There are sweet and sour cherry berries and women of mature age. Adherents of traditional medicine note that the systematic use of cherry fruits helps women feel better during menopause. The active substances contained in them also help to reduce the risk of the formation of dangerous pathologies that form during the onset of menopause.
Cherry fruits contain components that can have an antispasmodic effect. Spasm of blood vessels and organs of the reproductive system contributes to the appearance of painful menstruation. The use of cherry drinks helps to reduce the severity of the pain syndrome that many women experience during the "arrival" of menstruation.
Traditional medicine experts definitely recommend eating fresh cherry berries for people of mature age.The active ingredients and antioxidants contained in them improve the functioning of cells - the main structural elements of the human body.
It is believed that the regular use of such sweet and sour berries is a good prevention of the premature development of age-related changes.
Cherry berries can also be consumed by people who spend a lot of time in the gym. Active training leads to the loss of a number of minerals. In order to replenish them, regular use of vitamin and mineral complexes is required. You can replenish the minerals lost by the body through the use of healthy fruits, berries and vegetables. Cherry berries contain many mineral compounds that the body of an actively exercising person needs.
Cherry berries can be used to make juice. This drink contains many active substances that help improve the functioning of internal organs. This useful natural "elixir" contributes to the rapid quenching of thirst, as well as the fulfillment of the physiological needs of the body in many minerals. Such a sweet and sour drink is recommended for adults and kids who suffer from reduced appetite.
Sweet and sour cherry berries are also allowed for consumption in childhood. Babies who do not have health contraindications to eating fragrant fruits can be included in their diet. It is not worth rushing to introduce these berries into the crumbs menu. Before the first introduction of the crumbs of these sweet and sour fruits into the menu, his parents should definitely consult a doctor to be sure that the child does not have dangerous contraindications to their use.
Leaves
In folk medicine, not only berries are used, but also other parts of the plant. So, for example, an effective decoction can be prepared from cherry stalks. Traditional medicine experts recommend this remedy for intestinal pathologies, which are accompanied by a decrease in its contractile function and tone. This effective folk remedy helps to activate the work of colon cells, which leads to a decrease in the adverse symptoms of atonic colitis.
Cherry leaves can be used to make aromatic tea. To do this, several green leaves must be poured with boiling water and insisted for 5-7 minutes. Such a drink perfectly helps to quench thirst, and also saturates the body with useful substances. Traditional medicine experts recommend drinking this drink for people with low immunity.
Bones
Cherries should be used with caution. The seeds of this plant, in addition to useful components, also contain substances that can harm. They can cause adverse symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, dizziness, and in severe cases, even loss of consciousness.
Cherry pits can also be used to prepare healthy folk remedies. These natural medicines help reduce inflammation in the joints and also have a diuretic effect.
Contraindications
People with chronic diseases of the internal organs, when using cherry berries, must be careful. They should also carefully monitor their own well-being.
If you experience abdominal pain or bloating while eating cherries, be sure to consult your doctor.
Various pathologies of internal organs can lead to the appearance of adverse symptoms after eating cherry fruits.
Cherry berries can bring significant harm to the body. Sweet and sour berries should not be eaten with:
- gastritis with high secretion of gastric juice;
- peptic ulcer of the stomach;
- allergies and individual intolerance to cherries;
- recent abdominal surgery.
Caution should also be exercised by people suffering from severe kidney disease. With increased sensitivity of the teeth when eating cherries, you should definitely rinse your mouth. This will help reduce the severity of pain in the oral cavity, which can provoke sour berries.
Features of use
People who like to eat sweet and sour berries often have a question about the best way to consume them. Doctors note that in the absence of contraindications, it is better to eat such fragrant fruits fresh, since they contain more active ingredients necessary to maintain good health. However, with certain diseases, you should not use such fruits. In some cases, mandatory temperature treatment of berries is required.
Frozen berries can be used to prepare healthy desserts and drinks. Drinks made from such berries will also contain active ingredients that favorably affect the functioning of the body.
In order to improve the taste of cherry drinks, you can add a little sugar to them. If desired, sugar can be replaced with a natural sweetener - honey.
Fresh cherry berries are weak due to the presence of plant fibers in them.This should be remembered by people who suffer from diseases accompanied by frequent stools. After heat treatment, the amount of components that have a laxative effect in the berries decreases. However, it is not worth consuming either fresh or thermally processed berries in large quantities, as this can lead to the development of diarrhea.
Cherry berries should be used with caution by people with various diseases of the urinary system. However, in some pathologies, cherry berries can help reduce the severity of adverse symptoms. So, for example, cherry fruits help to improve the course of gout and even prevent the development of uncomfortable clinical signs of this pathology.
During pregnancy
Cherry berries contain substances that are useful for pregnant women. They contain folic acid - an important component necessary for the physiological course of intrauterine development of the fetus. This active substance helps to reduce the risk of various pathologies. They contain sweet and sour berries and potassium, a mineral necessary to maintain the good functioning of the heart and blood vessels, both in the future mother herself and in the baby who develops in her womb.
Doctors advise expectant mothers to be careful when eating cherries. You can only eat berries. Bones should not be consumed, as they contain a substance dangerous for an actively growing baby - hydrocyanic acid. There should be cherry berries, be sure to remember the recommended dosages. Sweet and sour berries should be consumed as a dessert.
When breastfeeding
Obstetrician-gynecologists advise a nursing mother not to rush into introducing sweet and sour berries into her menu.Breastfeeding is a very responsible process. The use of cherry berries can provoke the appearance of skin rashes in a child. If such a symptom appeared, then the cause of this could be an allergy. In this case, the baby should definitely show the pediatrician and check the baby for the presence of an allergic pathology.
Doctors advise introducing cherries into the diet gradually. In this case, you can reduce the risk of developing adverse symptoms. The first portion of berries for breastfeeding should be small - only 2-4 berries. After that, it is necessary to evaluate the reaction of the child. If after that the baby did not develop unpleasant symptoms, then the number of cherry fruits for a nursing mother in her menu can be increased.
For type 2 diabetes
Endocrinologists allow their patients suffering from persistent hyperglycemia to include cherries in their diet. Cherry fruits have a low glycemic index. After eating a small portion of cherry berries, the risk of developing hyperglycemia is low. That is why people with diabetes can include cherry berries.
When using cherry fruits, be sure to remember the quantity. There are cherries for people suffering from this pathology, in small quantities.
For weight loss
Cherry berries can also be eaten by people who are overweight. You can also use fruits to prevent the appearance of extra pounds. Cherry dessert made from berries with the addition of a sweetener is a great alternative to high-calorie desserts. A small amount of dried cherries can also be used as a dessert.
People who use cherries for weight loss note that it helped them get rid of edema. Fresh berries contain substances that help remove excess fluid from the body.This action also improves the appearance of the skin, as well as reducing the visible signs of cellulite.
See below for details.