Cherries are a very tasty and nutritious fruit. They contain many
vitamins, minerals and compounds which have many health benefits. The word
cherry refers to both the tree and the fleshy fruit (drupe) that contains a
single stony seed. Cherry belongs to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus, along
with almonds, peaches, plums, apricots and bird cherries. The cherries selected
for eating are derived primarily from two species – the wild cherry, which has
given rise to the Sweet Cherry to which most cherry cultivars belong, and the
Sour Cherry, used mainly for cooking. Besides fruit, cherries have attractive
flowers, and are commonly planted for their flower display in spring. Several
Asian cherries are particularly noted for their attractive flowers. The Japanese
sakura, in particular, is a national symbol and is celebrated in the yearly
Hanami Festival.
Cherries contain anthocyanins, the red pigment in berries, which
help reduce pain and inflammation. Anthocyanins are also potent antioxidants.
Cherries contain high levels of melatonin. Besides being an anti-oxidant,
melatonin has also been shown to be important for the function of the immune
system. The skin of the cherries holds most of the essential antioxidants vital
to their health benefits. There is considerable interest, at present in the use
of fresh cherries or cherry juice to treat gout, a painful, inflammatory
condition affecting the joints. Although a good source of vitamins, they are not
as high in vitamin C or vitamin A as fruits like strawberries or blackcurrants
but its the presence of other antioxidants and compounds that are responsible
for the many health benefits of cherries. Cherries are low in calories, low in
fat and contain a high percentage of water.Increasing water consumption will
boost energy levels and help increase the metabolism. Many people are
discovering the benefits of eating high water fruits like cherries for help in
losing weight. Cherries help stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and of
the urine and are effective cleansers of the liver and kidneys. Cherries are
particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of colon cancer
Cherry tastes sweet and sour. It is used in many deserts, drinks,
cookies, cake, pastry, shakes, ice creams, pies, jams and jellies as flavoring.
It can be used for gelatin desserts, punch or sherbtet, and has been added as an
ascorbic acid supplement to other fruit juices. The fruits may be made into
syrup or, with added pectin made into jelly, jam, and other preserves.
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