Cherries contain pigments called anthocyanins and bioflavonoids. These pigments act as antioxidants when they are transferred to human body after consumption. These antioxidants help the human body to generate essential amino acids. Further, these antioxidants also play an important role in protection of body cells. Our body contains number of free radicals which are responsible for damaging the cells. The antioxidants present in cherries destroy these free radicals and hence protect the body cells from damage. Anthocyanins provide further more cherries health benefits. They are natural pain relievers and are more effective than the artificial medications used. They are anti-inflammatory and help to lower the risk of fatal diseases like cancer. Bioflavonoids help in proper functioning of the kidney, which benefits diabetic patients.
Melatonin
One more important content of cherries is melatonin, which is a natural hormone found in plants and animals. This hormone is responsible for regulating sleep cycle in our body. Thus, people suffering from sleep disorders like insomnia, are benefited by drinking cherry juice. Tart cherries contain a higher percentage of melatonin as compared to sweet cherries. Melatonin is also considered to be an ingredient that slows down the aging process.
Vitamin C
As every other fruit, cherry is also a rich source of vitamin C. Both types of cherries are high in vitamin C. Cherries vitamin C content helps to improve the immune system and reduces the risks of stroke. Vitamin C also helps to prevent cancer because researches say that vitamin C has the ability to kill cancer cells and also reduce the multiplication of cancer cells. Even ellagic acid and perillyl, present in cherries, have anticancer properties.
Health benefits of cherry fruit
Cherries are one of the very low calorie fruits; yet are rich source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Both sweet as well as tart Cherries are packed with numerous health benefiting compounds that are essential for wellbeing.
Cherries are pigment rich fruits. These pigments are in fact polyphenolic flavonoid compounds known as anthocyanin glycosides. Anthocyanins are red, purple or blue pigments found in many fruits and vegetables, especially concentrated in their skin, known to have powerful anti-oxidant properties.
Scientific studies have shown that anthocyanins in the cherries are found to act like anti-inflammatory agents by blocking the actions of cycloxygenase-1 and 2 enzymes. Thus consumption of cherries has potential health effects against chronic painful episodes such as gout arthritis, fibromyalgia (painful muscle condition) and sports injuries.
Research studies also suggest that tart cherries are help body to fight against cancers, aging and neurological diseases and pre-diabetes.
Cherry fruits are very rich in stable anti-oxidant melatonin. Melatonin can cross the blood-brain barrier easily and produces soothing effects on the brain neurons, calming down nervous system irritability which helps relieve neurosis, insomnia and headache conditions.
They are also good source of minerals such as potassium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese. Potassium is a heart-healthy mineral; an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.
The fruits, especially tart cherries are exceptionally rich in many health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic anti-oxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin and beta carotene. These compounds act as protective scavengers against harmful free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging, cancers and various disease process.
Cherries’ anti-inflammatory functions, effective in reducing heart disease risk factors by scavenging action against free radicals.
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