In the spring this beautiful tree delights us with its magnificent flowering and stunning 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 can be the harm to human health.
Fruit or Berry?
A very interesting question that will baffle many of us. But still, we will find the answer. Turning to botany, remember what is a fruit? Fruit - the fruit of a plant with seeds inside, with which it multiplies. In our case, seeds are seeds. So cherry, despite its small size, is a fruit, belongs to the stone fruit type.
Cherry composition, beneficial properties for the human body
Nature has given this wonderful fruit a lot of nutrients and vitamins.
Cherries contain:
- organic acids - folic, pantothenic;
- macro and microelements - potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, iron and others;
- lots of vitamins - A, B, C, E, PP, N.
There is simply an incredible amount of elements contained in such a small sour berry.
Calorie content
Despite the high content of vitamins and minerals, cherries are low in calories. 100 grams of pulp contains only 52 kcal... So for those who want a good dose of nutrients but don't want to gain weight, cherries are a great choice.
The benefits of cherries and medicinal decoctions from twigs and tree bark
In addition to the fact that eating cherries is a great way to replenish your body with vitamins, you 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, a sour berry is an irreplaceable remedy. Due to the high content of vitamin P, coumarin and oxycoumarin, 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.
Cherry is also called "heart berry", and this is not because of the red color, but due to the tremendous benefits for the cardiovascular system.
The darker and richer the color of the cherry, the more it contains useful components for this system.
Gastrointestinal tract
- eating cherries will help deal with constipation;
- Cherry juice, will prevent the causative agents of dysentery;
- cherry good stimulates appetite;
- tree sap from a tree (popularly called glue), is used for inflammatory processes of the stomach.
Joints
- in folk medicine with arthritis use cherry juice, sometimes with the addition of milk;
- in the treatment of gout, the use of cherries enhances the effect of medications taken;
- with radiculitis use a decoction of the bark and twigs of a tree, which will help cope with pain during an attack.
Nervous system
- water infusion cherry is used as a sedative;
- decoction of bark will ease the condition with neuroses.
Immunity
- high content of vitamins and minerals prevent vitamin deficiency;
- vitamin C content will help strengthen immunity generally.
Fighting colds
- when coughing you can drink cherry juice, it is an excellent expectorant;
- cherry juice possesses antipyretic effect, it is recommended to drink it at a high temperature.
For children
Children love this fruit, so please them with juicy berries and cherry juices. Cherries contain iron, which is easily absorbed by the child's body... Also, the use of cherries helps to increase hemoglobin. If a child's sleep is disturbed and he is overly agitated, it is recommended to drink cherry juice, it has a sedative effect. Also, this tasty juice will help reduce heat.
Be sure to warn your children that you should definitely not eat cherry pits. From a couple accidentally swallowed, nothing will happen, but if you eat a dozen seeds, you can seriously poison yourself.
Women
Eating berries reduces the risk of varicose veins... During menopause, regular consumption of cherries can help manage discomfort. Antioxidant properties of cherries, slow down the aging process... Fruit juice and pulp are found in many cosmetics.
For pregnant women
For women in an interesting position, cherries can help cope with anemia due 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 amount 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 only in moderation, and this also applies to cherries.
Cherries in cosmetology
Face masks:
- Whitening. Grind a few cherries by adding a couple of drops of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of cream. Apply on face for 15 minutes, rinse with water.
- From wrinkles. A tablespoon of pulp + a tablespoon of viburnum juice + ainya spoon of honey. Mix everything well and grind. Apply on face for 10 minutes, rinse with water.
- Normalization of complexion... Mix the grated cherry pulp with grated raspberries and strawberries, 1 tablespoon of all ingredients. Apply the resulting mixture on the 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 vitamin. Adding cherries to your diet will help you get all the vitamins you need. Also, constipation is a frequent companion of diets. Eating cherries and cherry juice can help solve this problem.
Sour fruits will help remove excess waste and toxins from the body. To all this cherry is a low-calorie product, but still, you should not abuse it.
Contraindications to use
Despite all the usefulness of the fruit, there are also contraindications that should not be neglected. The consumption of cherries can be harmful for such diseases:
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially with stomach ulcers;
- increased acidity;
- diabetes;
- lung diseases (inflammatory).
Before using cherries as medicines, you should definitely consult your doctor.
Cherries erode tooth enamelTo prevent this, after eating the sour fruit, you need to rinse your mouth well.
The benefits and harms of cherry fresh and dried leaves
The cherry tree is amazing, not only fruits, but also leaves are useful in it. For making tea, the leaves must be picked in May, when they have just blossomed. It is then that they have the most beneficial properties. Even if you dry them, it will not affect their components, so feel free to stock up on dried leaves for the whole year.
They contain almost all the vitamins and minerals that are found in fruits, namely: A, many from group B, C, pectins, folic acid, calcium, potassium and others.
Cherry leaves are used to prepare not only tasty and aromatic, but also healthy tea. Due to its diuretic effect, it will help to cope with some kidney diseases, clearing them of toxins.... For a better effect, make a decoction of the leaves.
Tea from the leaves, with the addition of honey, is very useful - it is an excellent drink for strengthening the immune system and fighting colds.
Also the leaves of this tree will help stop minor bleeding... To do this, attach a clean and slightly softened sheet to the wound.
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 your doctor.
Cherries in cooking
This fruit is indispensable in cooking due to its special sour taste. It makes very tasty syrups, preserves, jams. Berries are also added to baked goods.
The most amazing thing is that when frozen cherries almost do not lose their useful components... Therefore, feel free to freeze these fruits and please your family with them all year round.
Cherries are very, very useful, it has been known for a long time. Don't you have this tree in your garden yet? Be sure to plant and enjoy beautiful blooms in spring and delicious harvests in summer. There is no such possibility, buy already harvested fruits in stores. If you have no contraindications to its use, then be sure to eat at least 5 kg per season.