Benefits of Cherries for Health

There are various benefits of cherries that are good for health. The nutritional content is very good to support the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer. The following are the contents and benefits of other cherries that you need to know. Cherry is a part of the Rosaceae family which also includes peaches, plums and nectarines. This tempting little red fruit has been enjoyed as a healthy dish since ancient Roman times. Cherries are classified into two types, sweet cherries and cherries that taste sour. Sour cherries contain lower calories than sweet cherries, but contain higher vitamin C and beta carotene than sweet cherries. The benefits of cherries are very closely related to the nutritional content in them. Cherries contain many nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and phytochemicals.

Protecting the Body from Free Radicals and Serious Diseases

The red color in cherries is derived from anthocyanin content, this powerful antioxidant helps protect body cells from free radicals that can trigger cancer and other serious diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, blocked arteries or atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and arthritis. Two other powerful antioxidants that this fruit has are hydroxycinnamic acid and perillyl alcohol. Not only that, antioxidants in cherries can reduce pain and swelling in osteoarthritis. The content of flavonoids found in cherries also functions as an antioxidant that can improve the function of the immune system.

The content of Vitamin C and Potassium

Cherries are a good source of vitamin C and potassium. The benefits of cherries with potassium content is to reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. This mineral also helps maintain blood pressure, maintain adequate body fluids, muscle recovery, maintain nerve electrical conductivity, digestion, heart rate, and balance the pH or acid base of the body. Meanwhile, its vitamin C content maintains the immune system and prevents cardiovascular disease, various health problems during pregnancy, eye diseases, and wrinkles on the skin.

Fiber Content to Maintain Weight and Reduce the Risk of Diabetes and Cancer

With the fiber content in it, the benefits of cherries are also to lose weight, reduce the risk of diabetes, and heart disease. Fiber is also very useful for maintaining intestinal health, lowering cholesterol levels, controlling blood sugar, and preventing colorectal cancer. With its phytochemical content, cherries can help protect your body against certain enzymes that cause inflammation, so they can reduce pain in arthritis and also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Phytochemicals can also reduce cancer risk by 40% by helping stop cell damage caused by cancer-causing substances (carcinogens). Also mentioned, anti-inflammatory substances in cherries can help overcome insomnia.

Various Processed Cherries

To get the benefits of cherries, you can consume cherries in a variety of preparations, both in the form of fresh fruit, frozen, drinks, and dried fruit that is usually mixed as an ingredient in food and cakes. The content of antioxidants in cherry juice and dried cherries does not change when compared with fresh cherries. But in frozen cherries or canned cherries, the antioxidant content has decreased slightly. Nevertheless, whatever processed cherries, in general the antioxidant content remains large.

Selecting and Storing Cherries

To get the maximum benefits of cherries, you also need to be careful in choosing good cherries. Buy cherries that are still fresh, cold and still have stems. Make sure the stems are in good condition and fresh green. A good cherry is usually large, the surface of the cherry skin is shiny, hard and dark in color. Don't choose small, soft cherries or surface defects. For storage, store cherries in the refrigerator or refrigerator by first washing and wrapping with plastic. Cherries stored in the refrigerator can usually last up to one week. Check regularly during storage, and discard cherries that don't look fresh. Wash the cherries again before consumption. There are so many health benefits of cherries that you can get by consuming them either in the form of fresh fruit or adding them to various food dishes. Routinely consume cherries to get the optimal benefits.