The benefits and harms of cherries for human health
There is no berry more beloved and desired in the middle of summer than a ripe cherry. The health benefits and harms after eating the fruits depend on their composition and the state of human health. Bright red, burgundy or almost black berries begin to ripen from mid-July and in the second half of summer are eaten with pleasure by large and small gourmands.
Cherries are put on the table fresh, in the form of jam, filling for pies and dumplings, juice or compote. But are aromatic cherries so safe and healthy? What are the benefits of cherries, and when can they be harmful to health?
Read also the article in the topic: what is sweet cherry good for?
Cherry composition and calorie content
Useful properties, taste, aroma and possible contraindications cherries are predetermined by the content of sugars, acids, vitamins, microelements, and other biologically active substances in fruits.
With each handful of fresh berries, essential vitamins for health enter the human body, including ascorbic and folic acid, tocopherol and carotene, vitamin PP and B1. At the same time, the juicy pulp contains no less minerals. Cherries are rich in potassium and copper, zinc and manganese, phosphorus, calcium and fluoride. However, doctors consider the most important mineral element in the composition of berries to be iron, which is indispensable for hematopoiesis, of which there is a record 500 mcg per 100 grams of ripe cherries.
The recognizable sweet and sour taste of the fruit is due to the content of organic acids and sugars. Depending on the growing conditions and variety, acidity and sweetness may vary, but at the same time, each berry, in addition to sucrose, contains fructose and glucose, and among the acids there is succinic and malic, salicylic and citric, ascorbic and folic acids.
Organic acids can bring not only benefits, but also harm to health, cherries are not recommended for people suffering from stomach diseases with high acidity.
With such a rich biochemical composition, cherries are completely low in calories, about 52 kcal per 100 grams of berries. Due to this property, as well as the high fiber content, the presence of useful pectins, anthocyanins and other compounds in the pulp, cherries are highly valued by nutritionists and doctors of other specialties.
What are the health benefits of cherries?
Cherries, like fresh fruit products, are extremely useful:
- with arthritis and other vascular diseases;
- with the danger of edema;
- if desired, lose weight quickly and harmlessly to the body;
- with physical fatigue and stress;
- at risk of anemia, which often develops during adolescence and during pregnancy;
- with urolithiasis;
- with systematic constipation.
The presence of salicylic acid and pectins in the fruit pulp indicates that cherries are a useful natural antibiotic, which, if used correctly, can help in the fight against pathogenic intestinal microflora, staphylococci and streptococci.
Acting like a natural sponge, fiber:
- collects and removes toxins from the intestines;
- promotes the work of the digestive tract;
- helps to strengthen the immune system;
- facilitates the process of losing weight.
Anthocyanins and pectins take care of the preservation of youth and prevent the formation of cancer cells, act as natural antioxidants.
It must be remembered that the health benefits and harms of cherries are preserved if the fruits are frozen or dried in a gentle way. Heat treatment reduces the amount of vitamins.
Cherry leaves: useful properties and contraindications
In addition to the sweet fruits themselves, inedible parts of the plant are also considered as raw materials for medicines.
In folk medicine, fruit tree leaves, stalks and cherry seeds are successfully used. Decoctions and tinctures are made from these parts of the plant.
On the basis of crushed foliage, compresses are made, which have a hemostatic astringent effect. Such a simple tool can come in handy in the country or for a walk, where the risk of minor injury, abrasion or cut cannot be ruled out. A decoction of leaves in milk is advised for cancer. However, in this case, it must be remembered that only a professional physician can correctly assess the beneficial properties of cherry leaves and their contraindications for a particular patient.
Bones are included in cosmetics. In addition, the seeds and peduncles with a pronounced diuretic effect are recommended by traditional healers to be used for edema, hypertension, diathesis, and joint diseases.
Peduncles and young shoots are useful for "lazy" intestines. A decoction of this plant material stimulates digestion and peristalsis.
The benefits and harms of cherries for the health of the older generation
Regular consumption of cherries is an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis and varicose veins. The inclusion of red fruits in the menu helps to lower blood pressure, naturally strengthen the capillaries. In the body, the proportion of bad cholesterol decreases. As a result, the risk of heart attacks and strokes, coronary artery disease and other dangerous ailments is reduced. Therefore, the fragrant summer fruits can be safely recommended for middle-aged and older people who are at risk of heart and vascular diseases.
The benefits of cherries for the liver are great, while harm is possible only with excessive enthusiasm for the fruits. The fruits help cleanse the liver, rid the body of toxins, the negative effects of the external environment and accumulated toxins.
The high concentration of iron, as well as the presence of compounds that can regulate blood clotting, make cherries useful in blood diseases, for example, hemophilia, anemia or anemia.
The low glycemic index of fresh fruits predetermines the minimal harm of cherries in diabetes mellitus, while the benefits depend on the amount of berries eaten and the health status of a particular person.
The benefits and harms of cherries for men
In folk medicine, cherries have long been used as a means to maintain and restore male strength. The action of the fruits is based on their high zinc content. This element is called "masculine" for a reason.
Zinc promotes the synthesis of male hormones, resulting in:
- self-confidence returns to the representative of the stronger sex;
- potency increases;
- the quality of sperm improves, the risk of male infertility decreases.
Zinc, unlike many vitamins, does not break down at elevated temperatures, so not only berries removed from the branches, but also jam, jams, juices and other tasty products are useful for men's health.
In addition, cherries with benefit and without harm to men prevents the development of prostate adenoma, other inflammatory and oncological diseases. Fruits and products made from them improve the quality of blood, help fight stress and chronic fatigue. For example, cherry juice will be an excellent prevention of heart disease and will help you recover faster after jogging, strength sports and other physical activity.
The benefits and harms of cherries for women
Cherries are an excellent source of trace elements and vitamins necessary for the female body. The magnesium in berries has an antispasmodic effect, helps relieve menstruation and improves blood circulation to tissues. The leaves and fruit branches of the plant are boiled and infused, the result is an effective remedy for edema and constipation.
Cherry is equally useful for young girls and women going through menopause. At the same time, you can use fruits and medicinal compositions not only inside. Fruit acids and vitamins are indispensable in the preparation of homemade face masks. Cherries have a cleansing, rejuvenating effect.
If the benefits of cherries for women are known, then the harm from the use of fruits, unfortunately, is little taken into account by the fair sex. But red fruits can cause exacerbation of gastroenterological ailments and cause allergies.
The benefits and harms of cherries for pregnant women and children
The metabolism of expectant mothers and children is highly intense, so the consumed nutrients, vitamins and minerals must be quickly replenished. Natural natural sources are the best choice. Cherries replenish the resulting deficiency by supplying the body with potassium and magnesium, calcium and iron. It is the last element that is necessary for blood, magnesium is responsible for the development of the nervous system, calcium is important for the growth and strength of bones.
For children and pregnant women, a safe infusion of cherries is useful, used as an antipyretic, sedative. Such a decoction can relieve swelling and soreness with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat.
For children and during pregnancy, the benefits and harms of cherries are determined by the composition of the fruits. Berries are an excellent body cleaner:
- On the one hand, the berry promotes digestion and cleansing the intestines from toxins, on the other hand, there is a danger of allergic reactions.
- The diuretic effect of cherries and dishes from it is adjacent to the likelihood of exacerbation of gastritis or the development of peptic ulcer disease.
When eating cherries, extreme caution and adherence to consumption standards are required, which are established depending on the person's age and his individual predispositions.
On average, an adult with no contraindications can eat about a glass of ripe berries. But even in this case, doctors advise to play it safe and rinse the mouthwash so that the acids contained in the cherry do not lead to the destruction of enamel and the deposition of dental plaque.
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