Cherries are a sweet treat with an extraordinary claim in summer. We are talking about a fruit with a flavor and texture that arouses passion and that, far from fattening, is the best snack we can give ourselves in the hot months, thanks to its antioxidant and detox properties.
Nutritional properties of cherries
Cherries are a very versatile fruit. They can be consumed fresh or used to make all kinds of dishes, from cakes, jams, compotes, mousses…
Despite being a fruit rich in carbohydrates provide very few calories, only about 60kcal per 100 grams. And it is that besides being interesting for their nutritional value, they are also for their medicinal properties.
Cherries are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, iron, calcium, and phosphorus, and have a low-fat content, so much so that their contribution to cholesterol is zero, being also an excellent food for visual health.
We also find in them flavonoids, specifically anthocyanins, which help reduce blood glucose concentrations, fight free radicals, and are responsible for giving it that attractive reddish color.
Cherries reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and help fight hyperuricemia (uric acid) and other degenerative diseases such as arthritis thanks to their phenolic compounds, the same ones that can be found in wine and that have anti-inflammatory and depurative properties.
They contain B vitamins, tryptophan, melatonin, and serotonin, a perfect combination to maintain a healthy brain, mood, sleep regulation, memory, and academic performance. They are one of the foods that have the highest melatonin content. Therefore, its consumption at night is often recommended to promote sleep.
On the other hand, being rich in vitamin C, they contribute to maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails by combating cellular aging. It is also highly recommended for those women who want to get pregnant due to their richness in folic acid.
Cherries, the great allies of detox diets and bones
Cherries are beneficial for eliminating fluid retention. Its potassium content and not containing sodium makes about 200gr a day enough to eliminate toxins, reduce fat and lose weight.
They are highly recommended for those who need to eliminate fluids periodically due to obesity, arthritis, gout, cellulitis, edema, or stones in the kidney or gallbladder.
Cherries contribute to combat the symptoms of bone diseases such as osteoporosis or arthritis, especially in women who are in the stage of menopause. Its consumption is recommended for children who have not yet grown permanent teeth, as they prevent problems of tooth formation.
How to choose the best cherries?
Cherries are a summer fruit; although out of season, they can be bought canned. In general, the giant cherries have the best texture and flavor.
You should choose those that weigh more and have a dark red color pulling to black, except for tart cherries, where the color to be selected is light red or yellowish pink.