Why cherries are useful for the body

Cherries are a delicious and healthy berry that is often used in various cooking recipes. Fresh berries are one of the sweetest summer snacks. We will find out what the benefits and harms of cherries are, who needs it especially, and what remedies can be prepared on its basis.

Cherries are berries or fruits

Cherry is a plant in the Rosaceae family that looks like a tall shrub or tree. The fruits of the plant are considered to be berries, but scientifically, it is a fruit. There is a large stone inside the fruit, which is typical for fruits. In the culinary sense, cherries are called berries due to their small size and sweet taste.

Cherry chemical composition

The berry contains a large amount of vitamins: beta-carotene, vitamin C, PP, B vitamins. It also contains the following macro- and microelements:

• calcium;
• potassium;
• iron;
• magnesium.

In addition to the listed components, pectins, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids give additional benefits to the product.

How many calories are in cherries

The calorie content of the product depends on the form in which it is consumed. Let's consider what is the energy value of berries processed in different ways.

Useful properties of cherries

Vitamins in cherries help in the treatment and prevention of diseases, improve overall well-being:

1. B vitamins will help strengthen the nervous system, hair, nails, and normalize the skin condition.
2. Vitamin A is essential for strong bones, teeth and good vision.
3. Iron and folic acid have a beneficial effect on blood composition.
4. Vitamin C protects the body from infections, viruses, and also strengthens the heart muscle and vascular walls.
5. Coumarins are special substances in cherries. They help to keep the body toned, invigorate and energize.
6. Cherry buds help with problems with the pancreas.
7. Other beneficial substances - phytoncides, prevent the growth of bacteria. Thanks to them, cherry leaves and berries are natural antibiotics.

In addition, the berry improves digestion and metabolism.

The benefits of cherries for women

Fruits are good for the female body during menopause and heavy menstruation. Fresh cherries and their teas soften discomfort and discomfort. Cherry is also often used in home cosmetology as masks for skin and hair.

Why cherries are useful for men

Vitamins and minerals in the composition of the product support the normal condition of the prostate gland. The abundance of zinc also helps the body synthesize male hormones.

Cherries during pregnancy and breastfeeding

For pregnant women and their unborn babies, the berry is useful due to folic acid in its composition. This component contributes to the proper formation of the fetal nervous system, ensures blood flow to the brain. Cherries can help relieve constipation, which often affects pregnant women. Also, the fruits are an effective tool for the prevention of postpartum anemia.

You can eat cherries while breastfeeding one month after the baby is born. You need to start with 2-3 berries, observing the reaction of the baby's body. Allergies or poor health of a child is a reason to refuse to use the product. Whether it is possible to feed cherries depends on the type of product. During lactation, it is forbidden to drink canned compote, which has been stored for more than 1.5 years. There is too much hydrocyanic acid in such a drink, which is especially dangerous for babies.

At what age can cherries be given to children

Fresh berries can be given to children from one year old. The main condition is that the fruits must be thoroughly washed and pitted. And natural cherry juice is not prohibited to be included in the diet of babies from 10 months.

The product should be introduced into the menu gradually. At first, it is advisable to add some cherry juice to other juices. The first portion of fresh berries should not exceed 1 piece. This is necessary in order to notice and prevent possible allergies in time. Further portions can be increased to 50 g. Children from 3 years old are allowed to give up to 150 g of fruit per day.

Why cherries are useful for a child's body:

1. The presence of iron increases hemoglobin levels, which are often low in young children.
2. The components in the berry reduce anxiety, hyperactivity, soothe and normalize sleep.
3. Cherries are good for dealing with colds.

The child's diet should be dominated by a fresh product, jam and juices with preservatives should be minimized.

Is it possible to eat cherries while losing weight

The slimming benefits of cherries are due to their low calorie content and their ability to improve digestion. This berry is sweet, so it will be an excellent substitute for confectionery, the calorie content of which is several times higher than the calorie content of cherries.

The essential oils in the berry help the fat breakdown process. Also, the fruits have a diuretic effect, which helps to get rid of edema.

The use of cherries in traditional medicine

The use of berries in folk medicine is also effective. It is included in many recipes used to treat diseases.

Arthritis and rheumatism treatment

A decoction of cherry branches will help relieve pain in these diseases. A handful of washed branches should be thrown into 1 liter of boiling water and boiled for 3-5 minutes. Next, you need to let the broth brew and drink it every day, 0.5 liters.

For headaches

To get rid of this ailment, you can put cherry pulp on your forehead. The fruits need to be kneaded into a gruel and kept on the forehead for about 15 minutes.

To improve immunity

For frequent colds, tea made from cherry leaves is useful. 2 tablespoons of leaves and a teaspoon of ordinary tea brew should be poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water. The drink is brewed for 15-20 minutes, and you can drink it up to 3 times a day.

Features of the use of cherries for some diseases

Some diseases require careful use of berries and special dosages. Let's find out how to properly use the product for various ailments.

With diabetes mellitus

With diabetes mellitus, it is important to monitor blood pressure, which will help coumarin in the berry. It thins the blood and prevents blood clots. With type 2 diabetes, you can eat no more than 300 g per day, observing the dosage of insulin. The glycemic index of the product is 22, therefore, with type 2 diabetes, the use of berries does not cause a sharp increase in blood glucose.

With gastritis and stomach ulcers

Gastritis is not a contraindication to the use of the product, and for constipation the berries will be especially useful. Sweet varieties will not harm patients with stomach ulcers in remission. However, even in this case, everything depends on the individual characteristics of the organism, therefore, it is still important to consult a gastroenterologist before use.

With gout

At the time of exacerbation of gout, it is advisable to use the product several times a day in large quantities - 20-30 pieces at a time. The fruits promote the excretion of uric acid salts, relieve swelling and redness in the joint area. It is recommended to eat cherries before the main meal, giving preference to fresh berries.

With pancreatitis

During an attack of pancreatitis, it is forbidden to use the product, because acids with plant fibers negatively affect the pancreas. In the stage of remission, it is allowed to eat cherries, but to give preference to a thermally processed product, since the high temperature neutralizes the aggressive effects of acids and plant fibers.

Cherry masks for face and hair

The beneficial properties of cherries make it possible to use it in cosmetology. Fruit-based products will tidy up your skin and hair.

Facial rejuvenating mask

To prepare the mask, the fruits must be grinded into gruel, add 20 g of viburnum juice and 1 tsp. honey. The ingredients are mixed and applied to the face for 10 minutes. With regular use, this mask smoothes wrinkles and evens out the complexion.

Anti-dry skin mask

To moisturize dry skin, you need to mix 10 pounded cherries with 1 tbsp. l. decoction of calendula. 20 g of olive oil is added to the composition and applied to the face for 15 minutes.

To strengthen hair

This mask will not only make your hair stronger, but also give it shine. Grind 20 berries and mix with 1 egg and 1 banana puree. The composition is evenly distributed over the hair and left for 30 minutes.

The benefits of cherry leaves, twigs and flowers

In addition to fruits, leaves, twigs and flowers are useful. Tea made from cherry twigs has a diuretic effect, with its help you can get rid of edema. Leaves and flowers are dried for the winter and decoctions are prepared from them, useful for high blood pressure.

Flowers can also be added to regular tea - this will give the drink a special aroma.

The benefits and harms of cherry seeds

Cherry pits should be treated with caution. It contains hydrocyanic acid, which can cause serious harm to health. However, when applied as a compress, pounded cherry pits are beneficial in relieving gout pain.

Are there any benefits to frozen, dried and dried cherries?

Properly processed dried and dried fruits almost do not lose their beneficial properties. They contain almost the same amount of vitamins and minerals. The frozen product does not lose valuable substances, so the benefits of such berries can be obtained throughout the year.

The benefits of cherry juice

Cherry juice is primarily beneficial due to its high antioxidant content. The drink has an anti-inflammatory effect, relieves muscle pain, which is important for athletes.

Cherry compote: benefits and harms

The compote contains a maximum of vitamins, and the benefits of compote even from frozen cherries are many times greater than the benefits of store juices.Such products are more likely to be harmful, since they are made from concentrated raw materials, so they have practically no vitamins, but there is a significant amount of sugar. You can make your own homemade drink using a much healthier recipe.

Why is cherry jam useful?

Cherry jam is a wonderful dessert that is not inferior in taste to shop sweets. The jam is not only tasty, but also healthy - the high content of vitamin C supports immunity, which is especially important in winter. Heat treatment of berries can significantly increase their shelf life and enjoy the taste and benefits at any time of the year.

Cherries in cooking

The berry is suitable as a filling for pies and dumplings. Sweet syrups are made from it, and cherry sauce is even combined with meat. Jelly and cherry jam are delicious. Kissels, juices and compotes from cherries will have a beneficial effect on the body, and cherry tea is especially useful.

What are the health benefits of cherries?

300-400 g per day is the norm for the use of berries, which will help maintain health and shape. The norm can be divided into several portions and berries can be added to cereals, desserts, kefir. The permissible number of fruits may vary depending on the presence of contraindications.

Which is healthier: cherry or sweet cherry

The amount of vitamins and minerals in cherries exceeds the content of those in cherries. Therefore, cherries are more effective for healing the body. It contains 2 times less sugar, which is important for people with obesity and diabetes. Sweet cherries have a sweeter taste, but are therefore less healthy.

Harm of cherries and contraindications for use

In some cases, the berry can harm the body:

1. The fruits contain sugar, so you should not abuse the berry with obesity and a tendency to be overweight.
2. The acids in the composition of the fruit destroy tooth enamel, therefore, it is advisable to rinse your mouth after use.
3. With an exacerbation of pancreatitis, even a couple of berries will bring significant harm.

In addition, it is important to remember about the freshness of the product and choose only high-quality berries in proven places.

How to choose and store cherries

When buying, it is important to check the fruit for signs of rot or mold. You should not take unripe or crumpled berries.

Fresh cherries are stored in the refrigerator for no more than a week, provided that the berries are intact and undamaged. Do not wash the berries before putting them in the refrigerator. To increase shelf life, fruits can be dried or frozen.

Conclusion

Having considered the benefits and harms of cherries, one can be convinced of the beneficial effects of the berries on the body in the absence of contraindications. This delicacy not only has a pleasant taste, but also strengthens the immune system, the nervous system, and protects against viruses. Berry products help maintain health and appearance.