Cherry honey: benefits and harms. The benefits and harms of cherries for the human body

" Cherry

In the spring, this beautiful tree pleases us with its magnificent blooms and amazing aroma, and in the summer it gives us its delicious fruits. It turns out these little red berries are just a storehouse of vitamins. Let's take a closer look at what the benefits of cherries are and what harm they can cause to human health.

A very interesting question that will puzzle many of us. But still, we will find the answer. Turning to botany, let's remember what a fruit is? A fruit is the fruit of a plant with seeds inside, through which it reproduces. In our case, the seeds are the seeds. This means that cherries, despite their small size, are fruits and belong to the stone fruit type..

Composition of cherries, beneficial properties for the human body

Nature has given this wonderful fruit a lot of useful substances and vitamins.

Cherries contain:

• organic acids– folic, pantothenic;
• macro and microelements– potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, iron and others;
• plenty of vitamins– A, B, C, E, RR, N.

There is simply an incredible amount of elements contained in such a small sour berry.

Calorie content

Despite the huge content of vitamins and minerals, cherries are low in calories. 100 grams of pulp contains only 52 kcal. So for those who want to get a good dose of beneficial elements, but do not want to gain weight, cherries are an excellent choice.

The benefits of cherry berries and medicinal decoctions from twigs and tree bark

In addition to the fact that eating cherries is a great way to supplement your body with vitamins, it can also help it cope with diseases. Also, this fruit and its leaves are widely used in cosmetology.

The cardiovascular system

For this system of our body, the sour berry is an indispensable remedy. Thanks to the high content of vitamin P, coumarin and hydroxycoumarin, eating cherries will help strengthen the cardiovascular system. Namely:

• normalizes blood clotting, reduces the risk of blood clots and angina pectoris;
• with high blood pressure, will help bring it back to normal;
• strengthens blood vessels and capillaries;
• supports hematopoietic function;
• lowers content cholesterol.

Cherries are also called “heart berries,” and this is not because of their red color, but thanks to its enormous benefits for the cardiovascular system.

The darker and more saturated the color of the cherry, the more useful components it contains for this system.

Gastrointestinal tract

• eating cherry fruits will help cope with constipation;
• Cherry juice, will prevent dysentery pathogens;
• cherry good stimulates appetite;

• tree sap from wood (popularly called glue), used for inflammatory processes of the stomach.

Joints

• in folk medicine for arthritis use cherry juice, sometimes with the addition of milk;
• in the treatment of gout, eating cherries enhances the effect of medications taken;
• for radiculitis They use a decoction of tree bark and twigs, which will help cope with pain during an attack.

Nervous system

• water infusion cherry is used as a sedative;
• tree bark decoction will alleviate the condition of neuroses.

Immunity

• high content of vitamins and useful minerals will prevent vitamin deficiency;
• Vitamin C content will help strengthen the immune system generally.

Fighting colds

• when coughing you can drink cherry juice, it is an excellent expectorant;
• cherry juice has antipyretic effect, it is recommended to drink it at high temperatures.

For children

Children love this fruit very much, so please them with juicy berries and cherry juices. Cherries contain iron, which is easily absorbed by children's bodies.. Eating cherries also helps increase hemoglobin. If a child has trouble sleeping and is overly excitable, it is recommended to drink cherry juice, it has a calming effect. Also, this delicious juice will help reduce high fever.

Be sure to warn children that cherry pits are strictly forbidden. A couple accidentally swallowed won't do anything, but if you eat a dozen seeds, you can be seriously poisoned.

Women

Eating berries reduces the risk of varicose veins. During menopause, regular consumption of cherries will help cope with discomfort. Antioxidant properties of cherries slow down the aging process. The juice and pulp of the fruit are included in many cosmetic products.

Pregnant women

For women in an interesting situation, cherries will help cope with anemia, thanks to their high iron content. It will also increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood. The folic acid content in cherries is very important for the development of the baby, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Of course, a huge number of different vitamins will also be useful for the expectant mother and her baby.

It is worth remembering that in this position you need to eat everything in moderation, and this also applies to cherries.

Cherry in cosmetology

Face masks:

1. Whitening. Grind a few cherries, adding a couple of drops of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of cream. Apply on face for 15 minutes, rinse with water.

1. From wrinkles. A tablespoon of pulp + a tablespoon of viburnum juice + a tablespoon of honey. Mix everything well and grind. Apply on face for 10 minutes, rinse with water.
2. Normalization of complexion. Mix the mashed cherry pulp with mashed raspberries and strawberries, 1 tablespoon of all ingredients. Apply the resulting mixture to your face for 15-20 minutes, rinse with water.

For shiny curls, wash your hair with a decoction of cherry branches.

When dieting

During a diet, the body experiences a lack of vitamins. Introducing cherries into your diet will help you get all the necessary vitamins. Also, a frequent companion to diets is constipation. Eating cherries and cherry juice will help solve this problem.

Sour fruits will help remove excess waste and toxins from the body. To all this, Cherries are a low-calorie product, but still, you shouldn’t overuse them.

Contraindications for use

Despite all the usefulness of the fruit, there are also contraindications that should not be neglected. Eating cherries can be harmful for the following diseases:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially stomach ulcers;
• increased acidity;
• diabetes;
• lung diseases (inflammatory).

Before using cherries as medicine, you should definitely consult your doctor.

Cherry eats tooth enamel To prevent this, after eating sour fruit, you need to rinse your mouth well.

The benefits and harms of fresh and dried cherry leaves

The cherry tree is amazing; not only the fruits are useful, but also the leaves. To make tea, the leaves need to be collected in May, when they have just blossomed. This is when they have the most beneficial properties.

Even drying them will not affect their components, so feel free to stock up on dried leaves for the entire year.

Not only tasty and aromatic, but also healthy tea is prepared from cherry leaves. Thanks to its diuretic effect, it will help cope with some kidney diseases, cleansing them of toxins. For a better effect, make a decoction of the leaves.

Tea made from leaves with the addition of honey is very useful - this is an excellent drink for strengthening the immune system and fighting colds. Also the leaves of this tree will help stop minor bleeding

There are no contraindications to the use of cherry leaves. But if you decide to use them as a treatment for diseases, you need to consult a doctor.

Cherries in cooking

This fruit is indispensable in cooking due to its special sour taste. It makes very tasty syrups, preserves, and jams. Berries are also added to baked goods.

The most amazing thing is that when frozen, cherries almost do not lose their beneficial components.. Therefore, feel free to freeze these fruits and delight your family with them all year round.

Cherries are very, very healthy, this has been known since ancient times. Don't have this tree in your garden yet? Be sure to plant and enjoy beautiful blooms in spring and a delicious harvest in summer. This is not possible; buy already picked fruits in stores. If you have no contraindications to its use, then be sure to eat at least 5 kg per season.

Stunning aroma, sweet and sour and incredibly pleasant taste, unique aroma, color from almost black to bright red. Agree, such a description immediately pictures in our minds delicious fruits, which many of us mistakenly call berries. Yes, we are talking about cherries, the very ones that everyone without exception waits for with the arrival of summer. It is served fresh, in the form of jam or juice, and is also used as a filling for pies, pies and dumplings. But is all this good for our body? What are the benefits of your favorite stone fruit and who should eliminate it from their diet? Let's look into everything in detail.

A little history of cherries

There is no exact data on when the juicy fruit of the cherry tree entered the human diet. In any case, it is clear that this happened in distant times, approximately in the 10-11th century. Before this, people feasted on the fruits of wild apples, strawberries, including cherries. According to archaeologists, during a study of the site of a primitive settlement in the area of ​​modern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, containers with cherry pits were discovered.

The legendary ancient historian Pliny claimed that cherries, like sweet cherries, first appeared on the Black Sea coast in the city of Kerasund. The winner of the war with the Pontic king, commander Lucullus, took the cherry tree to Rome. In honor of the victory, a huge feast was convened and on the table, among other dishes, there were cherries. Guests appreciated the stone fruit and thus the culture began to be popularized in Europe, crossed the eastern borders, and then came to America with the colonists.

What are the benefits of cherries?

Most people think of cherries as a berry, although scientifically they are a stone fruit. The controversy has not subsided for a long time, but this does not affect the popularity of the amazing-tasting fruit.

Cherries contain a lot of useful substances, which include:

• vitamins: A, B, C, E, PP and H;
• copper;
• zinc;
• iron;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• folic acid;
• glucose;
• pectin;
• sodium;
• manganese.

1. Inositol contained in cherries helps normalize metabolism.
2. Chlorogenic acid improves kidney and liver function. By the way, quite often products with this acid are used for weight loss.
3. Cherry fruits contain coumarins and hydroxycoumarins, which are necessary to maintain body tone. That is why cherries are recommended for coronary heart problems, as well as for those who have recently suffered from vascular diseases.
4. Vitamin A is good for vision, bones and teeth. Vitamin B normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, and vitamin C provides the body with a protective effect against viral infections, strengthens the immune system and accelerates the healing process of wounds.
5. Fiber and pectin remove toxins from the body and have a beneficial effect on intestinal function.
6. Anthocyanins strengthen the retina and activate metabolic reactions at the cellular level.

Having studied the composition of stone fruit, the following beneficial properties can be identified:

• prevents constipation and removes toxins, waste and bad cholesterol from the body;
• reduces fever and acts as an expectorant;
• helps with stress, physical and mental fatigue;
• brings blood pressure back to normal if it is elevated;
• lowers cholesterol;
• strengthens capillaries and blood vessels;
• prevents the development of heart attack, thrombosis and stroke;
• strengthens the immune system;
• protects against viruses and bacteria;
• is an antitumor agent in oncology.

Who needs to eat cherries?

Cherry pits contain approximately 40% fatty oil with a large amount of iodine and 0.8% amygdalin. Accidental ingestion may cause harm to the body. But proper use of cherry tree seeds will bring benefits. A healing oil is prepared from them, which, with regular use, makes the skin young and elastic. Crushed nucleoli are used to treat gout. Also, many chronic diseases are treated with tinctures, decoctions, and alcohol lotions based on ripe cherry seeds.

Even special warming pillows are sewn on their basis. Such pillows are used for colds, osteochondrosis and arthritis.

Berries should also be consumed:

• persons with problems in the cardiovascular system;
• for the prevention of varicose pathologies
• with atherosclerosis;
• children;
• pregnant women;
• people who have problems with capillaries;
• those who have caught a cold.

What is the benefit for women

Cherry saturates the female body with many essential vitamins. Regular consumption of cherries will help get rid of discomfort during menopause. Every woman wants to stay young as long as possible, and the antioxidant properties of cherries, which slow down the aging process, will help her with this.

But girls don’t only dream about youth. A slender figure is the dream of all representatives of the fair sex. The calorie content of cherries is quite small, only 52 kcal per 100 grams of pulp. Nutrients, excellent taste and low calorie content - cherries are simply an ideal product for weight loss.

Cherry diets are very popular and are designed for 2-3 days. You shouldn’t get carried away with them, as the weight goes off quite quickly, and this is a lot of stress for the body. If you decide to go on this diet, then stock up on 2-3 kilograms of cherries every day and drink as much non-sweet liquid as possible. You will have to give up other foods for a couple of days. As a result, you will not only lose excess weight, but also improve the condition of your skin, hair and nails.

There is also a balanced cherry diet for 7 days. Have cherries for breakfast, drink compote for lunch, and eat vegetables for dinner. During the week, your diet should also include: dairy products, fish, lean meat, cereals and vegetable salads.

On the Internet, you can choose your favorite recipe with cherries for weight loss: cottage cheese casserole with cherries, cherry cake, cherry sorbet, etc. By the way, you shouldn’t throw away cherry leaves, because you can brew delicious and aromatic tea from them.

Remember, the cherry diet is contraindicated for problems with the digestive system and people suffering from pneumonia.

What are the benefits of cherries for men?

• potency increases;
• sperm begins to be produced more actively, and its quality also improves.

In addition, freshly squeezed cherry juice will help relax your muscles after exercise in the gym.

Can pregnant women and children eat cherries?

Expectant mothers and children have a fairly fast metabolism and consume nutrients that also need to be quickly replenished. Cherry excellence copes with this task. Therefore, it is not only possible, but also necessary for children and pregnant women to consume it.

1. Cherry juice gives a slight sedative effect, thanks to which little fidgets will sleep soundly. This effect also helps expectant mothers relax after stressful situations.
2. When the temperature rises, children and pregnant women are recommended to drink a healthy and safe cherry decoction. It is used as an antipyretic, and in addition relieves swelling during inflammation of the oral cavity.

Important: the great Hippocrates noted that the medicine for poison differs in dose. You need to know moderation in everything, and in consuming cherries too. You should not overeat this product; 1-2 cups of fruit is enough.

Contraindications

It would seem that there are people who should not eat cherries? Despite all the beneficial properties, it does not benefit everyone. Contraindications for which fruit should be excluded from the diet:

• diarrhea;
• dermatitis, psoriasis;
• ulcer;
• obesity;
• pancreatitis;
• pneumonia;
• impaired functioning of the digestive tract;
• increased stomach acidity;
• diabetes.

An important point of contraindication is individual intolerance to substances in cherries. If after consumption there is itching, swelling, redness of the skin, sore throat, hives, you must stop consumption and consult a doctor.

It would be a good idea to consult a specialist to be completely sure that you can eat cherries, especially if you want to use them as medicine.

Excessive consumption of berries has a detrimental effect on tooth enamel. To prevent negative effects, you should brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after each use.

Do not eat cherry pits, as they contain the enzyme amygdalase, which breaks down amygdalin. As a result of their interaction, hydrocyanic acid is released, which is a deadly poison.

Important: No matter how clean the cherries seem to you, they should always be washed. Neglecting this rule can lead to intestinal upset or serious poisoning.

How to select and store

When choosing cherries, the main criterion, of course, is appearance. The fruits should be ripe, dry, shiny and have a dense structure. If you notice external damage or mold, do not take it under any circumstances. The stalk should only be green. Remember: overripe cherries will quickly disappear.

It is recommended to store fresh cherries in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2-3 days, but before that, wash them thoroughly and dry them. For longer storage, the fruits are frozen or dried. Don’t be afraid that cherries will lose their beneficial properties; when frozen, they retain them for another 6 months. Freezing cherries is not difficult: remove the pits and place them on a baking sheet, then safely put them in the freezer. Once the cherry is completely frozen, you can move it into a plastic or glass container.

If you choose the right temperature, then even when drying it will retain useful substances. Therefore, you shouldn’t put cherries in an oven heated above 50 degrees. Dried cherries should be stored in a glass container. Remember, dried cherries do not like direct sunlight or daylight.

The best recipes with cherries

Many housewives do delicious cherry rolls to enjoy it in winter too. Cherry preparations delight with their taste and variety: berries in their own juice, cherry syrup, jam, jam, compote, etc. It contains pectin substances, which give the rolls a jelly-like consistency and thickness.

Jam

Making cherry jam does not require much effort; the recipe is quite simple. You will need 1 kg of berries and 1 kg of sugar.

First, pit the cherries. If you do not have a special device for removing seeds, you can use a hairpin, a wooden stick or a cocktail straw. This is a painstaking process, but in the future it will help you to calmly enjoy the jam without the fear of damaging your tooth enamel.

After the cherries are washed and pitted, they should be covered with sugar and left overnight. In the morning, the sugar will dissolve and the berries will give juice. As soon as this happens, send the fruit to cook for 15 minutes. After cooking, cool and drain the syrup. Then continue cooking until you achieve the desired thickness. To check the structure you will need ice water. Drop the syrup into the water; if the drop does not spread, it means you have achieved the desired result. Pour the finished jam into jars pre-washed with soda. Now all that remains is to roll it up and cool it at room temperature.

You can also make jam with or without seeds from any variety. The main thing is to use your imagination and cook with pleasure.

How to grow cherries

If you want to always have cherries “at hand,” then you should try to start growing them yourself. However, remember that this is not an easy task; for a good harvest you have to work hard.

You should immediately sort out common mistakes so as not to repeat them:

• Not every variety may be suitable for local climatic conditions.
• Do not use cherry shoots for planting.
• Dry summers lead to freezing in winter and spring, so water the soil with enough water.
• Acidic soil without liming will lead to mineral starvation.

The best time to plant cherries is spring, so that the seedling has enough time to take root. The ideal time for this is April. One seedling “requires” a hole for planting with a diameter of at least 50 cm and a depth of 50-60 cm. If you decide to plant several rows, then make row spacing 4-5 meters wide. To fill the hole, prepare a mixture of soil, manure, peat, sand and some wood ash.

Next, you should pour a mound onto the bottom of the planting hole so that it is half the height of the hole. Stick a strong peg into the center of the mound. Carefully place the seedling as close as possible to it and spread the root system over the mound. Sprinkle the roots with soil and pour water around the trunk. At first, it is better to tie the seedling to a peg.

If you decide to replant the tree within 3 years, then do not be afraid and feel free to start replanting. But those older than 3 years should be replanted carefully, trying not to damage the root system.

In the first 2-3 years after planting, caring for cherries consists of watering, removing weeds, pruning and loosening the soil. In order to attract natural pollinators to the tree on spring days, you need to spray the cherry with a solution: dissolve one tablespoon of honey in a liter of water.

In addition, do not forget to carry out preventive treatment every spring if you do not want your tree to get sick or get pests.

In summer, the main enemy is heat and drought, so provide it with enough moisture. As soon as the leaves begin to turn yellow with the onset of autumn days, care should be taken to ensure that the cherry tree receives mineral fertilizers. Place them in tree trunk circles for digging.

In winter, take care that the roots do not freeze. Cover the tree trunk area with snow and sprinkle sawdust on top. Take care of your cherries and they will repay you with a good harvest.

Bye everyone.
Best regards, Vyacheslav.

This article will be about cherries - about the benefits and harms for human health, whether cherry leaves, cherry twigs have any benefits, what beneficial properties they have.

Cherry is a tree that grows in literally every garden and tolerates both frost and drought.

Cherry fruits are not considered some kind of exotic, they are a traditional, familiar product. How much do we know about the benefits of cherries?

Cherries - health benefits and harms

Before we talk about the benefits and harms of cherries for our body, let's look at its chemical composition.
Cherry fruits contain:

• sugars (glucose, fructose);
• – A, B, C, RR;
• mineral composition - iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper, sulfur, phosphorus, fluorine, zinc and other trace elements;
• Cherry fruits contain pectin, fiber, organic acids (citric, malic, tartaric, salicylic, ellagic, chlorogenic) and other beneficial substances.

Useful properties of cherries

Now let's move on to the beneficial properties of cherries. Having such a rich vitamin and mineral composition, cherries have a beneficial effect on the human body.

1. Cherry fruits strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce blood clotting, and prevent the formation of blood clots; cherries are used for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and varicose veins.
2. Eating cherry fruits strengthens the nervous system.
3. Cherries are useful for people with low hemoglobin levels. Anemia and some forms of leukemia are prevented and treated by vitamin B9 (folic acid), which is found in overripe cherries.
4. The organic acids contained in cherries break down fats and help you lose weight; this is also facilitated by the fact that cherries are a low-calorie product (52 kcal per 100 grams of berries).
5. Thanks to salicylic acid, cherry fruits have antipyretic and bactericidal properties. Cherry juice is used as an expectorant.
6. Eating cherries, thanks to the coumarins it contains, is useful for hypertension, these fruits are a good remedy for the prevention of stroke, heart attack, are useful for people suffering from angina pectoris, reduce the risk of thrombosis, help strengthen capillaries, and inhibit the aging of cells in the human body.
7. Cherry fruits reduce the level of uric acid in the body, so cherry juice is recommended for inflammation of the joints, arthritis, gout, and the juice is also taken for poorly healing wounds and metabolic disorders. For the treatment and prevention of these diseases, traditional medicine recommends:
   Drink fresh cherry juice during the season, 1/3 cup 3-4 times a day.
8. The high copper content in cherry fruits makes it useful in the treatment of epilepsy and other mental illnesses. This is the drink recommended by traditional medicine for psychological disorders and epilepsy:
   Mix dried cherries, dried oregano flowers, dry hibiscus petals in a ratio of 3:2:1. Pour 1 glass of the mixture into 1 liter of water, boil for 15 minutes under the lid, leave for 1 hour, strain. Add 1 - 2 teaspoons of honey to the decoction and drink in the afternoon.
9. Cherries are also beneficial for diseases associated with staphylococcal and streptococcal infections; they help with dysentery, killing the causative agents of this disease.
10. The pectin contained in cherry fruits well cleanses our body of toxins, improves intestinal motility, and helps with constipation.
11. This wonderful fruit, as it was recently discovered, slows down the growth of malignant tumors due to the content of ellagic acid.
12. Also, cherry fruits contain chlorogenic acid, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
13. Cherry fruits quench thirst. I know how to quickly make a delicious drink that perfectly quenches your thirst: crush fresh cherries, add a little sugar or honey, add cold water, stir - the drink is ready to drink.

The benefits of cherries for women

• It is recommended to consume cherry fruits during menopause, as it helps reduce discomfort during this difficult period for women.
• Due to the folic acid content in cherries, it is recommended for pregnant women to consume it, because this acid is very important for the full development of the unborn baby.
• Cherries also help cope with anemia, which often affects pregnant women.
• Women can successfully use cherries for cosmetic purposes - they have a beneficial effect on the skin, refreshing, nourishing it, tightening pores, and cherries also improve the condition of the hair.
  You can simply make a mask from a pulp of cherry fruits, you can add sour cream, cottage cheese, and if you make it with the addition of starch, then such a mask tightens pores well and has an exfoliating effect.

Benefits of cherries for men

The zinc contained in cherry fruits makes them very useful for men, because zinc is known as a trace element that is responsible for the production of male sex hormones and has a beneficial effect on the prostate gland.
1 glass of fresh cherries per day can provide male strength. And the peculiarity of this microelement not to be destroyed during heat treatment makes cherry jams a source of zinc.

You can also learn about the benefits of cherries from the video:

Do you think that this is where the beneficial properties of cherries end?

We only talked about cherry fruits. The leaves, stalks, and thin twigs of cherries are considered useful. By the way, in the old days, jam was always made with petioles.

Cherry branch and leaf - benefits for the body

1. A decoction of cherry stalks is recommended for the treatment of edema (renal, cardiac), urolithiasis, and hypertension. From traditional medicine recipes:
   Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped stalks with 2 cups of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes over low heat. Strain the broth and take 1/2 cup 3 times a day.
2. An infusion of thin branches treats joint diseases. Traditional medicine suggests making the infusion using a thermos:
   Overnight, brew 2 tablespoons of finely chopped twigs and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. In the morning, strain and take 1/3 glass 3-4 times a day 20 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is about two to three months. You can also gargle with this infusion for sore throat, tonsillitis, and inflammation of the gums.
3. Traditional medicine recommends taking decoctions of the leaves for people who have had hepatitis:
   Pour 2 tablespoons of dry crushed leaves into 1 glass of hot milk and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, wrap and leave until completely cooled. Strain and take in small portions throughout the day. The same decoction, but with water, is used for kidney stones.
4. Cherry leaves or thin twigs can be used as tea leaves - add honey, and you will have a wonderful vitamin drink, which is recommended to drink in winter and spring to maintain immunity.
5. People have long noticed that berries and fruits of various plants retained their freshness longer if they lay next to cherry leaves. Later, experts discovered disinfectant properties in cherry leaves, which is why they are actively used in home preservation.

Even the dried sap of the cherry tree is useful; it is usually called glue. Traditional medicine recommends using this product for inflammation of the gastric mucosa, as the glue has an enveloping property and eliminates pain.

Of course, cherries have not only beneficial properties, so it is very important to know about contraindications.

Cherries are harmful to health

People with gastritis, ulcers, or diabetes mellitus should consume cherries with caution, since the sour-sweet taste can provoke an exacerbation of the disease.

• Cherries have an irritating effect on tooth enamel, especially when consumed in excess. To neutralize the acidic environment, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with clean water after each consumption of cherries.
• Cherry pits contain substances that are toxic to the body, so you need to carefully monitor children; they often swallow cherry pits, and of course give them pitted to babies. For reference: two or three seeds will not do much harm, but half a glass of seeds can lead to serious poisoning.
• Cherries should be consumed with caution, and it is better to consult a doctor for people suffering from diseases such as pancreatitis, acute gastroenteritis, pneumonia, dermatitis, psoriasis, as well as people with high stomach acidity.

I told you about the health benefits and harms of cherries. Knowing about all its features, enjoy cherries in the summer and provide yourself with a healthy product for the whole winter. Fruits, twigs, leaves, stalks can be dried. Cherry fruits tolerate freezing well. Cherries make delicious preserves, jams, wines, and tinctures.

P.S. It turns out that a number of rituals and signs are associated with cherries. For example, seeing a cherry blossom in a dream means happy changes in fate, planting a tree near your house means good luck and prosperity. Cherry branches were placed on the newlyweds' pastels; it was believed that this would bring happiness to the spouses in their family life.

I hope you found the information about cherries helpful.

I think everyone has seen how our cherry blossoms, let's look at the blossoming of sakura - the Japanese cherry, which for the Japanese is a symbol of female beauty and youth.

Elena Kasatova. See you by the fireplace.

This is a fruit plant from the plum genus, rose family. Scientists believe that it has been known to man for more than 2000 years, and was first domesticated in the territories of what is now China and the Caucasus. From a botanical point of view, cherries are a stone fruit, but in everyday life they are traditionally classified as berries.

Cherries are actively used in cooking and dietetics. However, thanks to its vitamin and mineral complex, it has great potential in scientific medicine and cosmetology. What makes cherries stand out from other fruits is their high level of antioxidants and organic acids. They strengthen the body and promote regeneration processes.

Useful properties of cherries

Composition and calorie content

Basic substances (g/100 g):	Fresh berries	Frozen sugarless	Dried with sugar	Canned in sugar syrup	Fresh juice
Water	86,13	87,20	16,60	75,66	85,18
Carbohydrates	12,18	11,02	80,45	23,27	13,70
Sugar	8,49	9,02	67,15	22,17	12,21
Alimentary fiber	1,6	1,6	2,5	1,1	-
Squirrels	1,00	0,92	1,25	0,73	0,31
Fats	0,30	0,44	0,73	0,10	0,54
Calories (Kcal)	50kcal	46kcal	333kcal	91kcal	59kcal
Minerals (mg/100 g):
Potassium	173	124	376	93	161
Calcium	16	13	38	10	13
Phosphorus	15	16	36	10	17
Magnesium	9	9	22	6	11
Sodium	3	1	13	7	4
Iron	0,32	0,53	0,68	1,3	0,42
Zinc	0,10	0,10	0,25	0,06	0,03
Vitamins (mg/100 g):
Vitamin C	10	1,7	19,3	2,0	7,4
Vitamin PP	0,400	0,137	0,867	0,168	0,3
Vitamin A	0,385	0,261	0,849	0,214	-
Vitamin E	0,07	0,05	0,17	0,23	-
Vitamin B6	0,044	0,067	0,101	0,044	0,037
Vitamin B2	0,040	0,034	0,101	0,039	0,02
Vitamin B1	0,030	0,044	0,058	0,016	0,060

First of all, it should be noted that the chemical composition of cherries largely depends on the variety, soil composition and climate in which it grows.

However, in any case, fresh and dried fruits bring the greatest benefit to the body. Despite the fact that they cannot be identified as champions in terms of the content of one or another useful element, they contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals more or less evenly. Interestingly, when cherries are dried, nutrients are not only not lost, but their quantity increases. Berries do not tolerate freezing so well - some of the beneficial substances are still destroyed.

It is better to dry cherries without adding sugar, otherwise their calorie content increases. Berries canned in syrup and cherry jams also have a high sugar content and high calorie content.

In addition, they contain noticeably fewer vitamins and microelements, so the harm and health benefits of cherries are determined by the method of their preparation or harvesting.

Medicinal properties

Looking at the tables above, we can conclude that cherry fruits are rich in vitamins A and C (100 g of these berries will provide 20% of the daily requirement of retinol and 12% of ascorbic acid).

In addition, they contain B vitamins, as well as vitamin E and PP. Cherries are also a source of the essential amino acid tryptophan, folic acid and pectin. Moreover, the berries contain potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, etc. But their main advantage is their antioxidant content.

Due to the presence in their composition of a set of organic acids, namely ascorbic, citric, malic, cherries help increase the acidity of the stomach and are recommended for gastritis (with low acidity). And the presence of salicylic, formic and succinic acids, in turn, determines the bactericidal properties of the berries.

Cherry fruits are rich in antioxidants, in particular anthocyanins - glycosides that determine the color of the berry. This plant pigment helps the body fight inflammation and oxidative stress, which damages healthy cells. In addition, anthocyanins remove uric acid from the body and prevent its crystallization with subsequent deposition on the joints. Thus, cherries can become an assistant in the treatment of gout or at least help ease its attacks.

The presence of potassium and magnesium in the berry ensures the removal of excess fluid from the body. Eating cherries alone, of course, will not help solve the problem of edema, but in combination with reduced salt intake and active movement, you can count on a noticeable effect.

A significant amount of copper in the fruit suggests that it has sedative properties and contributes to calming the nervous system. However, this effect is not pronounced enough to count on qualitative changes in the condition of people with serious nervous disorders.

Let us note that together with cherry fruits, one of the essential amino acids enters the body - tryptophan, from which the hormones serotonin and melatonin are synthesized. The latter takes an active part in regulating circadian rhythms and has a positive effect on the duration and quality of sleep. Experiments have shown that taking 240 ml of cherry juice daily for five days helps eliminate sleep problems and helps people suffering from insomnia fall asleep.

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the flavonoids that make up the berry ensure rapid muscle recovery after active physical activity. Cherry juice helps cope with pain and minor muscle inflammation and will be useful for regular exercise.

Use of cherries in medicine

Today, cherry fruits are not particularly actively used in conventional medicine, although the benefits and harms of this fruit are being studied by many scientists. But it is already being used in pharmacology cherry gum(sticky mass protruding from the tree trunk in places where the bark is damaged). Due to its properties, it usually becomes a vaccine adjuvant - a substance designed to enhance the body’s immune response to the administered antigen.

In addition, it is used in drug delivery systems to transport the drug directly to the desired organ or cells. Sometimes gum also performs the purely technical function of an emulsifier, preventing the various components of medications from mixing.

Finally, “cherry glue,” which has enveloping properties, is sometimes used in the manufacture of medicines aimed at treating gastrointestinal diseases. It is also worth noting that herbal diuretics have recently gained popularity. Unlike chemical medications, they help get rid of excess fluid with less loss of beneficial elements. These include decoction of cherry stems

. It is available in the form of biologically active food supplements and has a mild effect on the body.

Pharmaceutical companies developing such drugs claim that, due to the presence of potassium and flavonoids in cherries, the supplement helps fight inflammation of the urinary tract.

Finally, given that cherries have a strong, pleasant odor, natural flavoring is widely used to improve the taste and smell of medications (lozenges, tablets, mixtures, syrups, powders, etc.)

The fresh berries themselves are considered a mild laxative. They help solve the problem of constipation that occurs when a person is inactive. Cherries are also an effective assistant in the fight against bad breath. It should be clarified that the fruit will not solve health problems that result in bad breath.

But in cases where you have eaten a food that releases sulfur compounds when digested (for example, garlic), cherries will help neutralize the “flavor”.

There are many folk recipes that help fight hypertension. So, according to one of them, you need to grind 200 g of fresh pitted cherries, 2 cloves of garlic and 1 tablespoon of honey in a blender or mince. You need to take one tablespoon of this mixture daily before breakfast.

As for fresh cherry juice, folk healers recommend using it for epilepsy and some mental illnesses. The drink has a sedative effect due to the copper it contains. It also has a positive effect on the digestive system, improving appetite.

Moreover, it is believed that the juice can fight dysentery pathogens and will be effective against fever and bronchitis (as an expectorant). Finally, the combination of cherry and watermelon juice prevents the formation of kidney stones. Usually drink one glass after each meal.

The health benefits and harms of cherries have been studied by researchers for a long time. This delicious berry helps cure many diseases and strengthen the immune system. In addition, it is used for cosmetic purposes. The chemical composition of the fruit includes a large number of vital vitamins and microelements. But despite all the benefits of eating cherries, they can be harmful to some categories of people. Cherries are eaten not only fresh. Jam is made from the berries, they are dried and juice is prepared.

Felt cherry, like regular cherry, is rich in vitamins and micronutrients. The fruits contain:

• potassium;
• a small amount of magnesium;
• gland;
• sodium;
• calcium;
• to a lesser extent manganese.

Ripe pulp also contains vitamins belonging to group B and ascorbic acid. There is several times more ascorbic acid in the berries of felt cherry varieties than in ordinary ones. The berries also contain high levels of citric, malic, and folic acids. The berries contain zinc and other minerals in smaller quantities.

In addition, cherries are considered dietary products. 100 g contains only 54 kcal. Therefore, it is suitable for use by people who want to lose a couple of extra pounds.

Effect on the human body

In order to improve your health, you need to eat more berries and fruits in the summer. With the onset of winter, the human body needs vitamins and minerals. You can find a cherry tree in almost every garden. Cherry:

• Has an expectorant effect.
• Has an antipyretic effect.
• Helps cope with constipation.
• Acts as an enveloping agent.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Acts as a preventative against cancer.
• Has an anti-inflammatory effect.

It is impossible to overestimate the beneficial properties of this fruit tree.

For the heart, blood vessels and hematopoiesis

It is also useful to include berries in the diet of people suffering from arterial sclerosis.

Berries lower high blood pressure and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Fruits reduce the risk of thrombosis and angina. Due to the high content of iron and magnesium, the fruit is recommended for people who suffer from anemia. The darker the pulp, the more vitamin P it contains, which plays an important role in the prevention of pathologies of the heart muscle and blood vessels.

For the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and bladder

The usefulness of cherry berries for the stomach and intestines is that they improve peristalsis, help cope with constipation and normalize intestinal function. Cherry juice has been used since ancient times to increase appetite. Cherry juice also prevents the development of dysentery.

Cherry pulp has a positive effect on various inflammations of the genitourinary system. It contains chlorogenic acid, which helps restore kidney and liver function. Pectin and fiber act as an absorbent, cleansing the intestines of toxins and removing harmful cholesterol from the body.

For joints

For arthritis, cherry juice mixed with a small amount of milk will help bring your joints back to normal. If you eat cherries and drink cherry juice during gout therapy, the effect of the drugs will be enhanced. A decoction of the bark and branches of cherry trees with the addition of cherry juice helps against attacks of radiculitis. The decoction relieves pain and returns your health to normal. Any prescription should be used after consultation with a doctor.

For the nervous system

An infusion based on the fruit helps relieve seizures and acts as a sedative. The berries contain copper, which has a sedative effect on the central nervous system. In addition, ripe cherries are used as an auxiliary component in the treatment of epilepsy. Thanks to folic acid, the blood vessels in the brain dilate and blood circulation returns to normal.

To strengthen vision

A decoction based on cherry blossoms has a positive effect on eye inflammation. In addition, regular consumption of fruits helps to sharpen weakened vision.

Boosting immunity

The main effect that cherries have on the body is to increase immune resistance. If you regularly include ripe berries in your diet, then in winter colds and flu will not be scary. You need to eat berries all summer so as not to get sick in winter. And with the onset of the cold season, tea with cherries or jam will act as a prophylactic against the flu.

Due to the high iodine content in the pulp, after including the fruit in the diet, iodine in the body and the functioning of the thyroid gland are normalized.

In what form can the berry be eaten?

Most often, cherries are consumed fresh or made into jam and compotes. But besides this, there are many more ways to enjoy sweet fruits. For example, prepare dried cherries. To prepare dried cherries you will need 1 pan of cherries and several cups of sugar. You can use spices if you wish.

Wash the berries, remove seeds and cook in sugar syrup for a few minutes. Then place on a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 80 degrees. Place the pan in the oven for half an hour. The berries are checked regularly and turned if necessary. Dry until the cherries are reduced in size and wrinkled. Dried cherries are prepared using the same principle, only without cooking them in sugar syrup.

To prepare cherry juice you will need:

• fresh cherries - 3 kg;
• water;
• sugar is added to taste.

Wash the berries, squeeze out the seeds and place in a large saucepan. Then place some of the pulp in a sieve and use a spoon or masher to squeeze out the juice until all the pulp is gone. The cake is thrown away or left for compote. After this, the resulting pulp is transferred to gauze and squeezed out. The result is a thick, concentrated juice. You can add sugar to sweeten it or dilute it with water.

The easiest way to prepare berries is to freeze them in the freezer. To do this, the fruits are washed, placed in bags and placed in the freezer. Frozen cherries are used to make pies, compotes or dumplings.

Cherries are rich in minerals and trace elements that help fight many diseases. It is used not only to strengthen the body's immune defense, but also to treat a number of diseases.

For colds and ENT diseases

Cherry fruits help with colds and ENT pathologies. Regular consumption of ripe fruits increases the body's resistance to pathogenic microorganisms due to the high content of ascorbic acid in its composition. During illness, they drink tea with felt cherry jam or make teas based on dried berries. Vitamin P, which is found in large quantities in fruits, has an anti-inflammatory effect against colds and flu.

The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect helps destroy streptococci, as well as staphylococci. The antipyretic effect that the pulp has helps with increased body temperature. For dry coughs, the berries have an expectorant effect and thin the mucus in the lungs.

Cancer prevention

Including cherries in your diet helps prevent the development of cancer cells in the body. Berries are antioxidants and remove harmful toxins from the body. The berries contain quercetin, which, when ingested with food, destroys abnormal cells.

For diabetes

Unlike most berries, people with diabetes are allowed to eat cherries. It contains less fructose and glucose than other berries. But people suffering from type 2 diabetes are not recommended to eat large quantities of berries.

For gout

By including cherries in your daily diet, you can neutralize the effect of uric acid and shift the acidity of your blood to the alkaline side. Berries help reduce pain during gout relapses. And the inflammatory processes themselves are not so intense. For gout, the fruits are eaten fresh or the juice is squeezed out of them.

Treatment of hemorrhoids

Cherry fruits eliminate unpleasant symptoms of hemorrhoids. For hemorrhoids, the fruits are used after thermal treatment. These can be compotes, fruit drinks or jam. The main problem of hemorrhoids is constipation. Regular consumption of cherries eliminates constipation and normalizes stool. But you won’t be able to completely get rid of hemorrhoids by including berries in your diet. Treatment should be comprehensive, and the emphasis should be on drug therapy.

Useful properties for women

Some girls are interested in the question of how cherries are useful and how their consumption affects the female body. Due to its high nutrient content and low calorie content, cherries are considered dietary products. In addition, the chemical composition of the berries includes magnesium, which relieves cramps during menstrual periods.

It is beneficial to eat cherries for women entering menopause. The acids that the berry is rich in have a positive effect on the body and rejuvenate the skin.

For weight loss

Due to their low calorie content, cherries are often included in the diet for weight loss. There are 54 kcal per 100 g of product. The fruit also contains substances that produce a stimulating effect for burning fat.

The substances neutralize fats and prevent them from spreading further through the circulatory system. Cherries also speed up metabolism. Cherry juice quickly saturates the body and suppresses hunger. If you use juice or fresh fruits as a healthy snack, you can significantly reduce the number of calories you consume per day.

During pregnancy and nursing mothers

With the onset of pregnancy and after the birth of a child, women have to reconsider their diet. After all, many berries, fruits and other foods can cause allergies in a child. Pregnant women are not prohibited from eating fruits. They contain folic acid, which has a positive effect on the formation of the embryo.

In addition, potassium boosts the immune system of pregnant women. Ripe berries contain a lot of liquid, thanks to this fatigue and apathy disappear, the body is charged with energy.

You can eat cherries while breastfeeding, provided that the baby reacts normally to it and does not develop a rash or itching. It is advisable to eat berries a month after birth. First, try a couple of berries and see how the child’s body reacts to it. If everything is fine, you can safely eat cherries.

You can only eat ripe berries, without signs of damage or mold. Before eating the berries, they are thoroughly washed under running water. There are often worms in berries that seem healthy at first glance, so you need to keep an eye on this.

Cherry as a cosmetic product

Another area of ​​application of cherry fruits is cosmetology. Since ancient times, women have used sweet fruits not only to prepare anti-aging masks, but also used it as decorative cosmetics. Because of its rich red hue, cherry juice served as a lipstick.

Masks based on cherry pulp nourish and moisturize hair and skin. Also, such masks help cope with premature aging. Homemade acid peels are made from cherry pulp, which perfectly cleanses the skin and removes the dead layer of cells.

How cherries are used for cosmetic purposes

Cherry juice and pulp are an integral part of many masks for the face and scalp. Face masks based on cherry pulp:

• A mask containing cherry pulp and protein helps against acne. Crush a few cherries and remove the pit. Beat the whites into a fluffy foam and mix with the pulp. Apply to cleansed skin for 20-25 minutes. Wash off this mask with cool water. The same mask is prepared with potato starch.
• Another acne mask consists of cherry pulp, 10 ml of fresh orange juice and 10 g of potato starch. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and lubricated onto clean facial skin. Wash off after 30 minutes.
• To maintain skin tone, prepare a mask based on cherry pulp and 1 tbsp. l. viburnum juice with the addition of a small amount of honey.
• For bags under the eyes, use mixed cherry pulp with the addition of cottage cheese or sour cream.
• A mask based on cherries, sour milk and lemon juice helps with acne spots. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions, mixed and applied to the skin. For those with dry skin, replace lemon juice with parsley juice.
• To add shine to hair, 200 g of cherries are separated from the pits, crushed and applied to the scalp. The mask is left for 1-2 hours. Wash off with water and shampoo and rinse with acidified water.
• To reduce oily scalp, mix cherry juice with potato starch and apply. After a few hours, rinse with cool water. This mask is made in a course 2-3 times a week.

Before applying masks based on cherry pulp, you need to make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the fruit.

Contraindications

• People with allergies to fruits.
• If you have a stomach disease (for example, ulcers or gastritis).
• Sour berries are not recommended for people with acute inflammation of the lungs.

You can't eat bones. They contain toxic substances. Cherry juice also harms tooth enamel, so after eating the fruit it is advisable to rinse your mouth with water.