Cherries are probably not too strange to us, but not everyone knows how to eat cherries properly to maximize the nutritional value that this fruit brings. Below is useful information to help you better understand cherries as well as “pocket” the secret to using this fruit!
What are cherries?
This is a fruit with a single seed, similar to plums, peaches, almonds or apricots. We can eat cherries right away like other common fruits or use them in fresh fruit salads. In addition, you can also add them to yogurt to create a delicious flavor. Or many people also use cherries to make cakes by using fresh or dried cherries and then decorating the cake to make it more attractive.
Cherries are deep red in color, bringing many health benefits thanks to their nutritional composition containing low calories but full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. In particular, the amount of vitamins C, A and K, potassium, magnesium and calcium is very abundant. In addition, cherries are also a fruit rich in antioxidants with beta-carotene and essential nutrients choline.
Cherry
Health benefits of cherries
With a variety of nutrients, cherries bring many health benefits. Some notable effects include:
Boosting the immune system
Thanks to containing a large amount of antioxidants, cherries are considered a natural medicine that helps the body increase its ability to resist negative effects from the external environment such as cigarettes, dust pollution or radiation.
Maintaining body endurance
Many studies have shown that cherry juice has the effect of limiting muscle damage during exercise, while maintaining body endurance and helping to regain energy quickly.
Supporting diabetes treatment
According to research, people who drink cherry juice every day have certain effects in losing weight, lowering blood pressure and reducing blood sugar levels.
Reducing Cholesterol
Cherry juice also has the ability to reduce cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Reduce Gout Pain
Gout is a disease caused by the incomplete removal of uric acid from the blood, causing inflammation and pain. Cherries can be used as a remedy to help prevent and reduce pain in people with acute gout thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Help improve sleep quality
If you have prolonged insomnia, you can add cherries to your diet. Cherries contain melatonin – an important hormone for sleep. When you eat cherries regularly, your sleep will be improved effectively, deeper and better. You can eat fresh cherries or make juice to drink.
Enhance brain support
Cherries are one of the fruits that contain a large amount of anthocyanins, which help improve the brain, develop thinking and enhance memory. In particular, cherries are recommended for people with mild or moderate dementia.
Relieves muscle aches and pains
Cherries are very effective in relieving muscle aches and pains. Many studies have shown that cherries contain a lot of anthocyanins – a type of antioxidant that helps protect cells.
Eating cherries has many health benefits.
Notes when eating cherries
Cherries have many health benefits, but you need to pay attention to the following issues to ensure the best use:
Absolutely do not eat cherry seeds because they can cause poisoning. Because the seeds contain cyanogenic or cyanide-forming glycosides that can form amygdalin when chewing them. This is a compound that when entering the digestive system will become hydrogen cyanide – a compound that is harmful to the body.
Although cherries are very good, you should not eat them continuously in too much quantity. Because any food, when eaten too much, will disrupt the metabolic imbalance in the body and cause discomfort. According to recommendations, you should only eat 200 – 400g of cherries per day, 2 – 3 times per week.
Some foods that should not be combined when eating cherries are cucumbers, carrots and animal liver. According to scientific explanation, cherries contain a high amount of vitamin C, but the decomposing enzyme in cucumbers will reduce that amount of vitamin C. Similarly, carrots contain an ascorbate that will reduce the effect of vitamin C on the human body. Meanwhile, the vitamin C in cherries is also oxidized by copper and iron ions in the liver of animals, causing cherries to lose their original nutritional value.
The storage time of cherries should not be too long. You should avoid direct sunlight and only use cherries within about 3 days. If you store cherries in the refrigerator, you should not wash them with water to avoid spoilage, but should wash them thoroughly before taking them out to eat.
Although cherries are very good, you should not eat too many!
With the useful information provided above, hopefully you will have a better understanding of cherries as well as the benefits and precautions when using this fruit. In addition, another important note is that when buying cherries, you should choose a reputable address, with a clear origin, choose plump, fresh-stemmed cherries, do not eat crushed, rotten cherries to ensure health safety!