There are various benefits of cherries that are good for health. The nutritional content is very good for supporting the immune system and reducing the risk of cancer. Here are the contents and benefits of other cherries that you need to know.
Fruit cherries (cherries) are part of the family Rosaceae which also includes peaches, prunes, and nectarines. This tantalizing little red fruit has been enjoyed as a healthy dish since the ancient Romans.
Cherries are classified into 2 types, namely sweet cherries and sour cherries. Sour cherries are lower in calories than sweet cherries, but are higher in vitamin C and beta carotene.
Various Benefits of Cherries for Health
The benefits of cherries are closely related to the nutritional content in them. This fruit contains many nutrients, such as vitamin C, potassium, fiber, B vitamins, vitamin K, and magnesium. In addition, cherries are also rich in active compounds that are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
The following are some of the health benefits of cherries:
1. Protects the body from free radicals
The red color of cherries comes from the anthocyanin content. These compounds are strong antioxidants, so they can help protect body cells from free radicals that can trigger cancer and other serious diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Two other powerful antioxidants that this fruit has are hydroxycinnamic acid and perillyl alcohol.
2. Improve immune system function
The flavonoid compounds in cherries have a significant impact on improving immune system function. These compounds can act as powerful antioxidants and antivirals to fight infection.
This compound is also said to reduce cancer risk by as much as 40% by helping to stop cell damage caused by carcinogens, which are cancer-causing substances.
3. Reducing the risk of hypertension and stroke
Cherries are a good source of vitamin C and potassium. Potassium is useful for reducing the risk of hypertension and stroke. This mineral also helps maintain blood pressure, maintain adequate body fluids, restore muscle after exercise, maintain the function of nerve conduction, digestive system, and heart rate, and balance the body's pH or acid base.
4. Maintain weight and reduce the risk of diabetes
With the fiber content in it, eating cherries can also lose weight, maintain a healthy digestive system, and reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and colorectal cancer.
This is because fiber is very useful for maintaining good bacteria in the intestines, lowering bad cholesterol levels, and controlling blood sugar.
5. Protects the body from inflammation
Various kinds of active compounds in cherries can help protect your body from enzymes that cause inflammation. This fruit can also reduce pain and swelling due to inflammation, for example in osteoarthritis.
6. Overcoming insomnia
Anti-inflammatory substances in cherries can help overcome insomnia. In fact, a study in adults stated that sour cherry juice has the same effect as sleeping pills to treat insomnia.
Maximizing the Benefits of Cherries
The benefits of cherries will be maximized if the cherries you consume are of high quality. Therefore, you need to know how to select, process and store the correct cherries.
How to choose cherries
Buy cherries that are still fresh, with the stems on, and chilled. Make sure the stems are still in good condition and are fresh green. Good cherries are usually large, shiny skin, hard and darker in color. Do not choose cherries that are small and mushy or cherries that have a surface defect.
How to store cherries
Store cherries in the refrigerator or refrigerator. Previously, wash the cherries first, then wrap them in plastic. Cherries stored in the refrigerator can usually last up to 1 week.
Check the cherries periodically during storage and discard any cherries that look like they are not fresh. Wash the cherries again before consuming.
How to process cherries
You can consume cherries directly in a fresh condition or first processed into juice. This fruit can also be dried and used as a flavor enhancer in desserts or cakes.
The antioxidant content in cherry juice and dried cherries did not change when compared to fresh cherries. But in frozen cherries or canned cherries, the antioxidant content is slightly decreased. However, no matter how cherries are processed, in general they still contain a lot of antioxidants.
There are so many health benefits of cherries that you can get by eating them, either in the form of fresh fruit or adding them in various food dishes.
You can eat cherries regularly to get optimal benefits. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you want to add cherries to your daily diet.