How to properly use the health benefits of cherries
Cherry trees can be found in almost every garden, but not everyone knows the beneficial properties of cherries. A handful of berries contains the daily norm of vitamins and minerals. Cherry - the first berry in diseases of the cardiovascular system, cleanses the body of toxins and free radicals.
The benefits and contraindications of cherries
The berry, with its inherent sourness, contains twice as many useful substances as sweet cherries. And its red pigment does not cause allergic reactions.
100 grams of ripe cherries contain:
- 85 g of water;
- 8 g protein;
- 5 g of fat;
- 3 g of carbohydrates;
- 3 glucose and fructose;
- 5 g fiber
- 4 g pectin;
- 4 g are organic acids (succinic, citric and formic).
Cherries contain vitamins A, C, E, PP, group B.
Useful properties of cherries
Cherries are consumed in any form and give your body an additional portion of vitamins and minerals. Berries and juice are useful:
- For the cardiovascular system, cherries are considered an important berry. Regular consumption of cherries reduces the risk of heart attacks and ischemia. The substances contained in cherries cleanse and strengthen blood vessels, lower blood pressure.
- With gout, drinking fresh juice and cherry pulp reduces the amount of uric acid in the blood and improves the condition of the joints. This property of cherries enhances the effect of drugs used for gout.
- For immunity. The high content of vitamin C and bioflavonoids in cherries has anti-inflammatory effects. Juices and berries improve the condition of the body, lower the temperature and are used as an adjuvant in the treatment of colds. It is recommended to eat berries along with the peel, which also contains substances similar in effect to aspirin.
- For women. The content of the magnesium mineral in the pulp of cherries is what cherries are useful for for women. Together with calcium, which is also found in berries, magnesium strengthens bones, normalizes glucose metabolism, and helps to overcome fatigue during menstruation or menopause.
Cherries are not contraindicated during pregnancy and help to cope with anemia during this period of a woman's life.
Contraindications to the use of cherries
With all the beneficial properties of cherries, there are also contraindications to its use:
- On an empty stomach, berries are not recommended for people with gastrointestinal disorders: pancreatitis, ulcers and increased acidity of the stomach.
- With a positive effect on the gums, consuming large quantities of cherries can negatively affect the tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay.
- With care, cherries are eaten with diabetes mellitus and a tendency to obesity, with a low calorie berry, cherries contain fructose and glucose, which can increase blood sugar levels.
- Cherries are not recommended for people with certain lung conditions.
To prevent the acids contained in the pulp of cherries from destroying tooth enamel, you should rinse your mouth after eating berries.
Useful and harmful parts of cherries
The beneficial properties of cherries are possessed not only by the pulp of the fruit, but also by the leaves, branches, bark and even the resin of the plant. All parts of cherries are rich in mineral salts. The medicinal substances that make up the leaves have a hemostatic effect and are used to treat lesions on the skin.
Tea from the branches of the plant is used for rheumatism and gastrointestinal disorders. The medicinal properties of cherry bark are used in the treatment of the thyroid gland and in case of seafood poisoning. Decoctions from the stalks are drunk during the treatment of urolithiasis. The so-called glue is prepared from the resin, which is used in the treatment of inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
The healing properties of cherries and its parts should be considered only as an adjunct in the general therapy of diseases.
Whether cherry pits are harmful depends on the way they are used. Cherry kernels contain amygdalin glycoside, when it enters the human stomach, it breaks down into substances, one of which is toxic hydrocyanic acid, which can cause severe poisoning.
Do not be afraid of accidentally swallowing several seeds, but deliberately eating them is life-threatening, the number of more than 50 seeds is considered fatal.
The bones are not dangerous when dry and when heat treated above 75 ° C, for example, in compotes and preserves. But when preparing alcoholic tinctures, the poisonous substance is not destroyed, therefore, it is recommended to remove the bones before making tinctures.
Cherry seed oil is used in cosmetology to improve skin condition. Including the beneficial properties of cherries are used as a protective agent against the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin.
It is safe and beneficial to fill pillows with bones and use them as compresses to relieve various types of pain: gouty, lumbar, colic, muscle pain.
How to keep cherries usefully
Cherry is a perishable product, therefore, in order to use the positive properties of berries not only in summer, it is important to preserve them correctly, without using heat treatment above 60 ° C.
Frozen cherry
Preservation of all vitamins and microelements during freezing, which is why frozen cherries are useful.
It is important to properly defrost the cherries, leaving them in the refrigerator to thaw on their own.
Thawed cherries retain their taste, are used in the manufacture of healthy fruit drinks, juicesthat can be consumed throughout the year. Cherries have antioxidant properties and keep the body in good shape.
The benefits and harms of frozen cherries lie in the extent to which berries are consumed. Large amounts of cherries can cause diarrhea.
The iron in cherries helps maintain normal hemoglobin levels. Cherries are used for coughing, berries have an expectorant effect.
Dried cherries
Dried cherries are used to make muesli and other healthy breakfasts and snacks. The beneficial properties of dried cherries help the body to overcome seasonal colds, because vitamins C, A and E are stored in the berries. A handful of dried cherries contains the daily requirement to restore the balance of vitamins in the body.
The consumption of dried cherries helps to reduce nicotine addiction.
Regularly eating dried cherries can improve the functioning of the digestive system, eliminate slagging and constipation.
Dried cherry
Dried cherries are useful in diet desserts. Trace elements in the berry have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, prevent general aging of the body. The use of dried cherries has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and psycho-emotional state. Including promotes good sleep.
The benefits and harms of dried cherries depend on the amount of berries eaten. Despite the preservation of useful properties in dried cherries, berries have a higher calorie content than fresh ones.Eating a large amount of food can cause blood sugar to rise. This should be taken into account by people with diabetes mellitus and increased body weight.
Cherry juices and fruit drinks
It is important to remember that beneficial properties are preserved only when juices and fruit drinks are made from berries that have not been heat treated. Properly prepared cherry juices and fruit drinks retain all the beneficial elements of fresh berries.
The benefits of cherry fruit drinks are used to restore the intestinal microflora after taking antibiotics. Cherry juice is used to prevent intestinal diseases. Fruit drink has a general healing and strengthening effect on the body.
Freshly squeezed cherry juice is used to treat cancer, arthritis, and prevent atherosclerosis. Cherry juice improves appetite and is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of certain diseases of the nervous system.
Cherry juice has a mild laxative effect, cleanses the body and saturates it with useful microelements.
Cherry is an unpretentious culture that grows in any climatic zone. Knowing about the beneficial properties of cherries for humans and contraindications, you can support and replenish your body with vitamins and help it cope with diseases.