Cherry is one of the most popular fruits of the summer season, which has many fans. In this article, we have brought everything you need to know about cherries. Stay with us until the end of the article to get complete information about it and the properties of dried cherries:
One of the sour fruits that has special fans all over the world is this cherry. This fruit has a red color due to the presence of anthocyanin in its composition. Cherry is one of the most delicious fruits that has many medicinal properties and can be used as a substitute for drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
what is cherry
Cherry is a tree with a maximum height of 10 meters with hairless branches that can be seen in green and brown colors. The leaves of this tree are wide oval or ovoid. The flowers of this white umbrella tree with thin flower stalks are 2.5 to 6 cm long. The fruit of the red shaft tree is spherical and has a sweet and sour taste.
The scientific name of the plant is Cerasus vulgaris Miller and in English it is called Red Cherry. This tree is a species of the Prunus family and belongs to the Rose family. The early roots of this plant reach the Caucasus mountains and probably the birds were the cause of moving its seeds to other parts of the world including Europe.
Some opinions suggest that the cherry is a native plant belonging to the eastern regions of Europe. The reason for this claim can be found in the seed bases of Gisella and Mazard of the genus Prunus, which have spread dramatically throughout Europe and North America. Cherry became very popular among Iranians, but for the first time the Romans brought this fruit to England a little before the first century AD. Many years later, in the 16th century, according to the order of Henry VIII, cherry cultivation became common in England.
Cherry tree seeds were brought to America for the first time in 1629 by English settlers. After that, another generation of cherry kernels was brought to America by the Normandy (a region in the northwest of France) and planted along the Seine River. Today, large parts of the orchards of the French settlers in Detroit and Vincennes are covered with cherry trees.
Properties of cherries
Cherry fruit has many properties that have been used from the past to the present day. Below are some examples of the properties of cherries and dried cherries:
Dried cherries improve the quality of sleep
To increase the overall time and quality of sleep, it is recommended to consume cherry juice before sleep; Because cherries are a rich source of melatonin, which regulates the body’s biological clock and sleep-wake cycle. In the studies conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Rochester on the sleeping effects of cherries on the human body, it was found that consuming cherry juice in the morning and at night helps to improve the quality of sleep.
In this research, the sleeping habits of fifteen adults were studied for two weeks. In the course of this research, these people were exposed to the daily consumption of two glasses of Albalu juice, which had an extraordinary effect in treating insomnia and increasing their sleep quality. One of the double-blind randomized experiments tested the effect of cherry consumption on sleep quality. To do this experiment, twenty people volunteered to drink cherry juice for seven days.
After collecting the urine samples of these people, the amount of sulfatoxymelatonin, which is the main metabolite of melatonin, was analyzed. The results were impressive, because it showed that cherries have been able to increase the total content of melatonin, which is a type of hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness, and ultimately lead to an increase in the quantity and quality of people’s sleep.
Dried cherries regulate blood pressure
The results of a research project have been published in the American Journal of Nutrition, which investigated the effect of cherry juice concentrate consumption on fifteen people with high blood pressure. The minimum blood pressure of these people was 130.90 mm Hg, and consumption of a quarter cup (equivalent to 60 mm) of cherry concentrate after 3 hours led to a 7% reduction in blood pressure in them.
Before this, there was a research that showed that those who have high blood pressure and their blood pressure was lowered by consuming cherries, have a lower risk (23%) for the possibility of cardiovascular diseases and also the possibility of stroke. 38% had decreased in them.
Dried cherries improve cardiovascular function
Research conducted on cherry fruit shows that cherry quercetin causes the destruction of free radicals, which prevents the occurrence of oxidative damage caused by the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). This process will lead to the formation of plaque in the arteries and eventually lead to heart disease and stroke.
According to the results of research published in the American Journal of Physiology in 2006, consumption of 10 to 30 mg of cherry extract effectively and significantly improves the cardiovascular function (including blood flow and blood pressure) of rats. .
In 2006, the results of another study were published in Iran’s Journal of Diabetes and Metabolism, in which the effect of cherry consumption on the reduction of some risk factors caused by cardiovascular diseases among 16 women with type 2 diabetes was investigated. For a period of 6 weeks, these people were exposed to the consumption of cherry juice concentrate, and during this period, their body weight, blood fat, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were monitored at the beginning and end of the study.
The findings obtained in this research have determined that at the end of the period, the values of weight, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and blood pressure have decreased significantly. Finally, this research has shown that consumption of cherry juice reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Dried cherries have anti-cancer properties
The results of the researches have shown that the combination of substances such as perilyl alcohol, limonene and ellagic citric acid in cherries protects the body against incurable diseases such as breast, lung, liver, skin and colon cancer.
In 2003, the journal Cancer Letters published the results of a study in which it was determined that cherry anthocyanins inhibit the growth of intestinal tumors in mice. They also prevent the growth of cancer cells in some types of human intestinal cancers in laboratory conditions. Therefore, it can be concluded that cherry consumption significantly reduces the risk of cancer, especially colon cancer.
Dried cherries reduce joint inflammation
In 1999, the results of a study were published in the Science Daily publication and indicated that anthocyanin and quercetin in cherry fruit act by preventing the secretion of inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, such as ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Another research conducted in this field revealed that the antioxidants in cherry fruit reduce the level of nitric acid and are effective in the treatment of joint inflammation.
In a study conducted at Boston University on 633 people with gout for one year, the effects of cherry consumption on this disease were investigated. In total, the results of these studies showed that with a two-day period of cherry consumption, the risk of gout can be reduced by 35%.
Antioxidants in cherries reduce the amount of protein C in the blood stream and are effective in treating body inflammation. This process works in such a way that it causes the synthesis of protein C in the body and it increases in the blood during inflammation and rheumatism.
Dried cherries regulate blood sugar
Research conducted at the University of Michigan shows that the anthocyanin present in cherry fruit increases insulin production by 50%. A different research on diabetic samples has investigated the effect of cherry anthocyanins, which has investigated the effect of cherry consumption on the blood sugar levels of women with type 2 diabetes.
In the process of this research, in a period of six weeks, 17 patients with type 2 diabetes consumed 240 grams of natural cherry juice daily. Finally, these studies prove a significant reduction in blood sugar and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which shows the effect of cherry juice consumption on reducing blood sugar. Therefore, it can be confidently claimed that the consumption of this fruit is beneficial for diabetic patients.
Dried cherries are rich in antioxidants
A clinical trial conducted for the first time at the University of Michigan investigated the antioxidant properties of cherries in the human body. In this experiment, 12 young people aged 18 to 25 were randomly selected to consume one and a half to three cups of cherries. After consuming this amount of blood and urine, they were tested and it was found that after 12 hours of cherry consumption, the antioxidant activities of their bodies increased.
Another research published in 2002 in the journal Nutrition shows that cherry fruit antioxidants play an important role in strengthening the body’s immune system.
Different uses of cherry
Cherry fruit has different uses and methods of consumption, which we will mention below:
fresh fruit
Fresh cherries can be consumed in different meals, jam is made from the pitted flesh, and they are used in the preparation of various types of pancakes and fruit breads.
Cherry juice
They make cherry juice from fresh cherry fruits using a juicer or by extracting cherry juice, which can be a delicious snack.
Tea and cherry tea
You can also make tea or tea from cherries. Cherry tea is used to improve bowel function and strengthen body metabolism. It calms the nerves.
Consuming cherry tea is beneficial for hot-tempered people and people who have a lot of fat around their abdomen, cherry tea eliminates nausea and lowers blood pressure, and is also effective in kidney and bladder diseases.
You can use tea or cherry tea to reduce appetite during the day, overweight people or people with abdominal obesity can reduce their appetite by consuming this hot and excellent tea half an hour to an hour before lunch or dinner.
Dried cherries
After washing the cherry fruit, they put it in front of the sun to dry, or they dry it with a dryer and newer methods and use it as a dried fruit. Dried cherry fruit can be used in the reception with the combination of other fruits.
How to prepare dried cherries
To make dried cherries in front of the sun, you must first wash the cherries and put them in a colander to completely drain and dry them. Then put the cherries in a tray. Arrange the cherries so that they are not piled on top of each other, because in this case the cherries will mold.
Place the tray under direct sunlight so that the cherries are semi-dry. In fact, the time required for semi-drying cherries depends on the amount and intensity of the sun. 2 or 3 days seems to be enough (of course, if you live in hot cities with lots of sunlight, one day is enough).
After one or two days, put the cherries in a container and season with some salt and pomegranate paste. Put the cherries in the tray again and leave them in the sun for another day. Dried cherries should be slightly soft and the skin should not stick to the core.
If you don’t like to add pomegranate paste to dried cherries, there is no problem. Just add some salt and dry it in the sun.
Information and medicinal ingredients of cherry
The fruit of the plant has little nutritional value, but it contains a good amount of vitamins A, B, and C, and it also contains a variety of minerals including calcium, iron, chlorine, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc, and manganese. Also, the effective substances in cherry fruit or its compounds can be classified as follows:
Flavonoid, anthocyanins (cyanidin), glucosylrutinoside, sophoroside, glucoside, hydroxycinnamic acids, oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid.
The used parts of cherry
The used parts of the cherry tree are its fruit fresh, dried and processed, also the stem of this tree is used in dried form to prepare various teas.
Application of cherry in traditional medicine
In traditional medicine, it has been mentioned that cherries have a cold and dry nature, and on this basis, they are used in traditional treatment methods to treat diseases such as kidney stones, bladder and urinary tract wounds. On the other hand, cherry is a thirst reliever; That’s why its syrup is considered the best medicine for excessive thirst and it is also used to reduce fever.
Experts in traditional medicine know cherry as a choleretic, anti-nausea and anti-kidney stone, and they also prescribe this fruit and its products in the treatment of fever, liver disorders, gastritis, kidney inflammation and urinary incontinence.
Harms of excessive use of cherries
So far, no side effects have been reported in the correct consumption of cherries. Experts have forbidden the consumption of this fruit for people who have intestinal inflammation and they believe that in case of consuming more of this fruit, side effects such as indigestion, heartache, nausea and sometimes vomiting may occur. to exist If you want to drink cherry tea, it is good to know that the best time to consume it is 2 hours before or after meals.
Key and important points about cherry
- Albalo is known as Cherry in English, which is derived from the name of a city in Turkey called Crassus.
- All over the world, cherry farms occupy an area of 613 thousand hectares.
- In ancient Rome, during the celebration and victory, this fruit was placed on the reception tables.
Cherry nutrition table
Cherries consist of macronutrients and micronutrients according to the tables below, which make up its nutritional value.
The main ingredient in 100 grams
- Energy (calories) 50 kcal
- Carbohydrate 12.18 grams
- Protein 1.00 grams
- Fat 0.30 grams
- 86.13 grams of water
- Fiber 1.60 grams
- Sugar 8.49 grams
- Cholesterol 0.00 mg
Cherry vitamins
Vitamin name, amount per 100 grams
- Vitamin A 64.00 micrograms
- Vitamin D 0.00 mcg
- Vitamin E 0.07 mg
- Vitamin K 2.10 micrograms
- Vitamin C 10.00 mg
- Thiamine (B1) 0.03 mg
- Riboflavin (B2) 0.04 mg
- Niacin (B3) 0.40 mg
- Choline (B4) 6.10 mg
- Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.14 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.04 mg
- Folate (B9) 8.00 micrograms
- Vitamin B12 0.00 mg
Cherry minerals
The name of the mineral, the amount per 100 grams
- Calcium 16.00 mg
- Iron 0.32 mg
- Magnesium 9.00 mg
- Phosphorus 15.00 mg
- Potassium 173.00 mg
- Sodium 3.00 mg
- Zinc 0.10 mg
- Copper 0.10 mg
- Manganese 0.11 mg
- Selenium 0.00 micrograms