The benefits and harms of cherries for the body. dried cherry
There are several ways to prepare cherries for the winter - drying, freezing, preservation. One of the simplest and most inexpensive is drying. It does not require experience, takes several days and allows you to save a maximum of useful substances. And dried berries are practically not inferior in taste and aroma to fresh ones.
Beneficial features
The fruits contain many useful substances and vitamins that positively affect the functioning of the body:
organic acids contribute to the metabolism of carbohydrates, the restoration of acid-base balance;
iron helps with anemia;
vitamin A - an antioxidant, good for vision;
vitamin C slows down the aging process, cleanses the body of harmful substances, stimulates metabolic processes;
vitamin PP is involved in redox reactions, dilates blood vessels, helps lower cholesterol;
a large number of macro and micronutrients.
The energy value of 100 g of fresh berries is 52 kcal. Dried - about 290. They have a positive effect on appearance, normalize sleep, and contribute to weight loss. Compotes have a mild laxative effect. Syrup and juice - expectorant.
Contraindications
Despite the many positive properties, this berry can be harmful. Cherry is not recommended to eat:
children under 2 years old;
suffering from diabetes;
people with gastrointestinal diseases.
There is this berry, like other products, you need in moderation. An overabundance of vitamins and minerals will not bring benefits.
Dried cherries: varieties, preparation, storage
The taste of finished products will be less sour if you give preference to sweet varieties - Vladimirovskaya, Lyubskaya, Shubinka. For blanks, fruits of the same size and degree of maturity are selected. They should not be too large, without damage.
For drying, dark-colored berries with juicy pulp are used.. With small bones, they are suitable for making compotes. Pitted - for baking, desserts. Bones are best removed using special tools that are sold in almost any store. So it will be possible to maintain the integrity of the pulp and avoid excessive loss of juice.
Before cooking, the berries should be washed well, let them dry. Remove leaves and stems. Throw away spoiled fruits. Sort raw materials by size and degree of maturity. The appearance of mold is prevented by saline treatment (200 g per 5 liters of water).
Dried cherries can be stored for up to 12 months in a cool, dry place.. It is better to do it in paper bags. If it will be used frequently, glass jars will do.
Drying in the sun
Simple and cheap way. Berries remain fragrant, tasty, saturated with vitamins. They are prepared and laid out in an even layer on a wooden pallet, baking sheet or dense fabric. The process takes 4-5 days.
At night or in cloudy weather, it is better to bring the fruits into the house. During the day they are left in the sun. With this method of drying, it is better not to remove the bones. The secreted juice will attract insects, which are almost impossible to get rid of.
Berries stored outdoors are heavily contaminated. To eliminate this problem, they are fumigated with sulfur dioxide. This procedure also allows you to speed up drying, brighten products, repel insects, and protect against mold.
Drying in the oven
Takes a little more time. Raw materials are prepared according to the usual scheme. Lightly dry on a baking sheet lined with paper. Then put in the oven for 8-10 hours. For pitted cherries, this time is doubled. Sometimes more. It is very important not to close the oven door. Otherwise, the baking sheet will become wet, which will adversely affect the quality of the finished product.
The first 2 hours the berries are dried at a temperature of 60°C. Then 2-3 hours at 80°C. Then bring to full readiness at the initial temperature. Cherries dried properly have a dark brown skin and a sweet and sour taste. Juice does not come out when pressed.
Drying in a Russian oven
The method is very effective, but not suitable for everyone. The workpiece begins to dry approximately one and a half hours after the end of the firebox. Check the temperature. If the drops of water quickly evaporate, but do not boil, you can start harvesting. The floor of the oven is well swept.
Raw materials are laid out on sieves or pallets with legs. The bottom can be covered with straw. Loosely cover the damper and smoke draft. As moisture evaporates from the berries, the damper is gradually closed. By the end of drying, the chimney is almost completely closed. The whole process usually takes 10-12 hours.
The main advantages of dried cherries, regardless of the harvesting method, are long shelf life, excellent taste and aroma.
Video "Dried cherries"
Making dried cherries at home is quite simple. Once you try this, you will never buy it from the store again. Regardless of how you consume it (in granola bars, as an ingredient in cream cheese or ice cream), it has a sweet taste and at the same time it lasts much longer than a fresh berry. In addition, you can avoid the use of sulfates used in industrial fruit drying.
How it's done?
Applying the recipe for making dried cherries will not require much of your time. And, judging by the reviews, the most time-consuming part is the processing and preparation of the berry. And although this process is not difficult, it can still take some time if you do it manually. The work goes much faster when you use a special pitting tool. Therefore, if you want to dry the berry in large quantities, you'd better buy it in advance. Of course, you can make dried cherries with a stone, but it will not be very convenient to eat it.
What does this process look like?
Rinse the cherries with clean water and let them dry in cheesecloth or on a dry rag. When the berries are dry, remove the stems and remove the seeds. Without a special device, the easiest way to do this is to cut them in half and pull out the bones with your hands.
The recipe for dried cherries is very simple. Place the berry in a single layer in a food dehydrator or on a baking sheet. If you are using an oven, place the baking sheet with the cherries at 40 degrees and keep it for 6 hours. If you are using a food dehydrator, use the same settings and the same amount of time (or slightly less).
Dried cherries are ready when the berries look like big raisins. They will be tart and sweet in taste. This is the perfect snack with no added sugar. You can use it as an ingredient in homemade muesli and granola.
If there is no dehydrator
You can make dried cherries at home and in the sun. To do this, you need to prepare the berries as above, and leave them on trays in a sunny place for 2 to 4 days. You should place the cherry higher off the ground to protect it from moisture. Don't forget to cover it with gauze so as not to attract birds.
Once the berries are completely dry, place them in an oven preheated to 70 degrees for about 30 minutes (to kill any insects caught in the drying process).
Once the cherries are dried, let the berries cool at room temperature for about an hour before packing. Then store the product in airtight containers or sealed bags.
After packaging, observe the jars or containers for the first week. If you notice any signs of moisture forming inside, it means that the berries are not completely dried and they won't keep well (probably mold). Remove the cherries and dry in the oven some more.
These berries can be eaten just like that, but they look and feel good in baked goods and as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, etc. Most recipes that call for raisins are said to work well with dried cherries, so you might want to try making one. replacement.
What is useful cherry?
Dried cherries, like other dried fruits, contain significant amounts of antioxidants, including anthocyanin. This is the substance that gives the berries their deep red color. These antioxidants work in a way that can prevent the development of free radicals (atoms in our bodies that can set off a negative chain reaction) and, consequently, damage to our cells.
Cherry is anti-inflammatory and pain reliever
When the body contains too many free radicals, the immune system is actively involved in the fight against harmful reactions. Therefore, the high level of antioxidants found in cherries can support the body by reducing inflammation, pain, and feelings of weakness.
Cherries are sleeping pills
Studies show that cherries are also a dietary source of melatonin, a natural hormone used by the body to achieve deep and restful sleep. Various environmental factors and diseases can reduce its levels and interrupt healthy sleep. Therefore, the consumption of cherries, according to experts, can provide insomniacs with a restful night's rest.
Cherries can lower cholesterol levels
Cherries contain high levels of pectin, a dietary fiber often found in fruits. Research suggests that pectin may lower bad cholesterol levels.
On the other hand, cherries contain high levels of a compound called beta-glucosidase, which is thought to reduce the chance of degenerative diseases.
Cherry anthocyanidins have been shown to inhibit the activity of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that plays an important role in the production of uric acid, which helps treat gout. In addition, the antioxidant activity of anthocyanidins in cherries has been shown to be stronger than that of vitamin E in the same amounts, and is very beneficial in relieving muscle pain after intense exercise.
It has been suggested that daily intake of anthocyanins may also play a role in preventing hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, most likely due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidants in cherries have the potential to lower blood sugar levels by boosting the body's natural production of insulin.
Vitamin composition of the berry
Dried cherries contain vitamins C, A, and E, which boost the immune system and help the body fight disease.
A quarter cup of dried fruit contains 8 milligrams of vitamin C - 11 and 9% of the recommended daily intake for women and men, respectively. This compound stimulates the production of collagen, which strengthens the cells of the body and protects you from free radicals. Getting enough vitamin C in your diet also promotes new cell growth and helps wounds heal after injury.
Vitamin A, in turn, also supports the growth of new cells, and also plays a big role in wound healing and immunity. It also helps improve eyesight and nourishes the skin. A quarter cup of dried cherries contains 1132 international units of vitamin A. This is 38% of the recommended daily intake for men and 49% for women.
Proteins, fats and carbohydrates
Dried cherries are not a high-protein snack. A third cup of dried fruit contains only 1 gram of protein. Carbohydrates make up the majority of the calories in dried cherries. A third of a glass contains 34 grams of total carbohydrates, including 2 grams of dietary fiber. This dried fruit contains almost no fat.
Dried cherries: calories and properties, contraindications
During drying, the fibers of the described berry and its chemical composition do not change significantly, since this cooking process involves only the removal of liquid. However, the calorie content of dried cherries becomes much higher than that of fresh cherries: 286 kcal per hundred grams versus 52 kcal.
This is also related to the final weight of the cooked product. In addition, dried fruits are usually slower to induce satiety and thus may provoke excessive consumption of them. For example, you can successfully snack on a glass of fresh berries, but in dried form, the same amount of cherries will be four times less. Having consumed a quarter cup of dried fruit, you will not get saturation, and supplement your snack with something else.
Cherry berries are generally considered safe, but this applies to those who do not have any allergic manifestations or contraindications. Therefore, it is recommended to be careful when using it in large quantities, since a cumulative allergic reaction is possible.
In addition, this culture contains many acids, which means that its use is undesirable for those who suffer from chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines.
How are dried cherries used?
As noted above, unsweetened dried cherries can be not only an independent snack or an addition to cereals and salads. So, tincture on dried cherries received a lot of good reviews. This remedy can be made by pouring dry berries with vodka and settling for a long time. It is usually taken in medicinal doses to relieve headaches and relieve tension in muscles and joints.
Cherry powder also adds a fresh flavor to smoothies, pies, or any sweet dish. Tea made from it helps to maximize the antioxidant properties of cherries. As a rule, berry powder is mixed with aromatic herbs in order to make the tea especially tasty.
Dried cherries calories
Cherry is a representative of the Rosaceae family, a subgenus of plants of the Plum genus.
Like fresh cherries, which were not subjected to heat treatment, dried cherries contain a lot of trace elements and vitamins. It contains vitamins E, C, PP, B-group. Moreover, cherries contain phosphorus, sodium, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium and organic acids.
Since dried cherries contain iron and copper, it increases hemoglobin. Also, the composition includes glucose and fructose, as a result of which you can quickly stock up on energy for the whole day. It perfectly quenches thirst.
Dried cherry calorie content - 290 kcal. The composition included proteins - 1.5 g, carbohydrates - 73.0 g.
Dried cherries can also have a beneficial effect on digestion, this is due to the pectin substances contained in it. Like many other berries, you will not find cholesterol and fat in cherries, so it is an excellent dietary product enriched with antioxidants.
Interestingly, scientists advise people who want to quit smoking to use dried cherries. It reduces nicotine addiction. It can also help in concentration, which can be useful for absent-minded people on working days.
If we talk about the beneficial properties of dried cherries, then, along with all of the above, it improves sputum production, provides a slight laxative effect. Useful for the nervous system and heart, because. contains amygdalin.
Along with all its benefits, dried cherries are also delicious. For example, you can make wonderful fragrant cakes from chocolate and dried cherries, compotes, black forest pie and a lot of other dishes at any time of the year.
Dried cherries calories
Industrial options for harvesting dried cherries in the lion's share of cases involve separating the juice and replacing it with a natural preservative, sugar syrup, which provides a pleasant sweet taste. As for the process of drying berries in a similar way, it is rather long and difficult, it takes place mainly when exposed to high temperatures, and as a result, a fragrant and tasty product comes out, with a high calorie content and without many useful qualities and properties.
However, traditional drying is a way of processing fresh vegetables and fruits, which allows you not to lose most of the nutrients. At the same time, you can implement it yourself, and even save significantly.
Dried cherry calorie - 290 kcal. Also in the composition there are proteins - 1.5 g, carbohydrates - 73.0 g.
Cherries can be dried like in the old days - outdoors in the shade, in an electric or gas oven, drying cabinet, Russian oven (it is necessary to control the temperature - no more than 42 degrees), or using the latest technology - using a dehydrator. Cherries that have not been exposed to high temperatures during the drying process will not yield to fresh ones in terms of their own biochemical properties.
The unique combination of minerals (sodium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, iodine, cobalt, manganese, copper, molybdenum, calcium, fluorine) and vitamins (E, C, B1, B2, B9, PP) in the composition of cherries allows us to call its prophylactic against blood diseases and cardiovascular diseases, maintaining female beauty, youth and health. Anthocyanins and vitamin C, present in cherries, are able to prevent premature cell aging, are characterized by antioxidant activity, and reduce the risk of cancer. Cherries are advised to use as a prevention of strokes and heart attacks, the formation of cholesterol plaques and blood clots, with low hemoglobin levels, anemia, the beautiful half of humanity with regular heavy bleeding and during pregnancy to saturate with folic acid.
However, cherries can also have a detrimental effect on diabetes, high acidity, stomach ulcers, and obesity. You also need to be careful with cherry pits - they contain amygdalin glycoside, which turns into a poison in the intestine - hydrocyanic acid.
Step 1: prepare the cherry.
To begin with, we select ripe cherries from rotten and crushed ones with our hands. We spread the first in a deep bowl and put it under running water. Gently wash the berries with your hands. And since we have a lot of ingredients, you can do it in portions. We shift the washed cherries into another deep bowl and set aside. And so we do until we wash the whole berry under water.
Now, to clean the pits from the cherries, first we remove the stalks with our hands. Then, using an ordinary tube for juice, we pierce the cherry in the place where the stalk was and, hitting the bone, we take the tube back. This is a very convenient way that will not only make it easier for you to peel the cherries, but also keep the main component of the dish looking beautiful. Transfer the processed berry to a clean free bowl. Step 2: prepare the syrup.
Pour purified water into a medium saucepan and put on a large fire. When the water begins to boil, add all the sugar with a tablespoon and then mix everything thoroughly with the same spoon until the sugar component is completely dissolved. Everything, the sugar syrup is ready, so we can move on to the actual process of drying the cherries. Step 3: Prepare dried cherries.
As soon as the sugar syrup boils, we do not turn off the burner, but simply make a medium fire. Carefully place the cherries in small portions in a saucepan and cook for 5-8 minutes. Then, using a scoop, we catch the berries from the container and transfer them to a colander directly over a clean deep bowl. We leave them in this state until the syrup completely drains from them. In the meantime, dip the next portion of peeled cherries into boiling syrup. 
After the syrup has completely drained from the boiled cherries, we shift the main ingredient to a baking sheet covered with baking paper. 
We put the dish in the oven on the upper level and cook for 3 hours at a temperature 165°С. Then lower the oven temperature up to 135°C and dry the cherry 16-24 hours. Attention: At the same time, the oven door must always be slightly ajar so that a lot of moisture does not remain in the dried product. The finished dish should be elastic, wrinkled and dark brown in color. Step 4: serve dried cherries.
Immediately after we have dried the cherry, it can be served at the table. And so the dish is best stored in sterilized jars under a tightly closed lid. Such a delicacy can simply be served with tea or decorated with all sorts of sweet dishes. Also, after drying, the berry retains useful substances and vitamins of groups A, PP and C, so it is very useful to eat it, given that it is a natural product without preservatives. It also has an anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating effect on our body, which is very useful in the cold season. So enjoy dried cherries and… Bon appetit! - - If it is inconvenient for you to get a bone with a juice tube, then the most ordinary medium-sized paper clip or pin can come to your aid. To do this, we pry the bone with improvised equipment, pushing the pulp of the cherry in the place where the stalk was.
- - Also, to surprise guests and loved ones, dried cherries can be dipped in melted chocolate and left aside to cool to room temperature. Thus, you will get an exquisite delicacy.
- - If you have a summer house or a house, then you can dry the cherry in the fresh air. The main thing is that the process should take place away from the roadway, where there are practically no cars. To do this, spread the processed cherries on a baking sheet or preferably on a large flat sieve and leave it on the sunny side for the whole day. By evening, the berry should be brought into the room, and the next day, repeat the drying procedure again. And so it should take 3-4 days, depending on the size of the cherry.
- - In order for dried cherries to turn out both tasty and beautiful, it is necessary to select only ripe berries, dark red in color and preferably large varieties.
- - After you have sorted out the cherries, do not throw away the overripe berries, as you can make a very tasty compote or jelly from them.
– a fruit beloved by many, but not everyone appreciates the beneficial properties of this familiar berry. This article will tell you how the berry can be used for treatment and what exactly is cherry useful for the body, we will also consider the issue of cherry seeds, their harm and benefits.
Calorie content and composition of cherries
– a representative of the Rosaceae family, with gray-brown bark and a rather spreading crown. Cherry color is especially beautiful - white small flowers strew the entire branch. Berries have a sweet and sour taste. Depending on the type of cherry berries, they can be different in size, but the medicinal properties and contraindications are characteristic of each tree. This berry has been known to people since ancient times. Our ancestors knew not only about the taste, but also about the benefits of cherries.
Did you know?Cherry was brought to Europe in the 1st century AD. e. from Rome.
If you have already decided to use cherries for the treatment and prevention of possible diseases, you should know exactly what chemicals cherries contain.
Cherry Ingredients:
- glucose and fructose - 11.3%;
- organic acid - 1.3%;
- vegetable fiber - 0.5%.
Mineral components:
- phosphorus - 30 mg;
- manganese - 26 mg;
- calcium - 37 mg;
- sodium - 20 mg;
- iron - 1.4 mg;
- potassium - 256 mg.
Cherry calories: 100 g of fresh berries contain 52 kcal.
Useful properties of cherries
Cherry brings more benefits than harm to the human body. Using it can not only make you healthier, but also improve your mood due to the wonderful taste of the berry. The work of almost all parts of the body can be "corrected" by the use of cherries.
What is useful cherry
First of all, cherries are useful for those who, according to the doctor's prescription, need dietary nutrition, as well as for those who have no appetite - cherries make you want to eat. Cherry has a very good effect on metabolic processes in the body, which is associated with the content of inositol in the berry.
Important!The most useful varieties of cherries are Stepnaya and Griot Pobeda cherries.
– an antioxidant berry that can blunt the aging process of the body. By and large, cherries strengthen the circulatory system, the digestive system, the genitourinary system, and can also lower blood cholesterol levels. Cherry fruits are useful for both men and women and are often used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology, perfumery and pharmacology.
Another important factor is that cherries, despite their calorie content, saturate the body with all the necessary substances. The berry is very useful for people suffering from diabetes, because the glycemic index of this berry is much lower than that of the others.
Is there any benefit from dried, dried and frozen cherries
Dried, dried and frozen cherries, as well as cherry pits, are just as useful as fresh berries, but they can also be harmful. Dried cherries are a wonderful bonus to compotes and tea in winter, when the body especially needs a summer accent, as well as additional protection.
As part of a compote or simply steamed dried cherries can help fight a cold. As for frozen cherries, they are just as useful as fresh berries, and retain all their features - from calorie content to useful properties.
Did you know?In order to preserve all the benefits of cherries during processing, it must be frozen correctly: either by instant freezing, or by exposure to "shock" temperature. You can freeze the berry with or without a bone.
Dried cherries contain the same trace elements as fresh cherries, and bring both benefits and harms in equal amounts. Dried cherries work well for diseases of the cardiovascular system, for the prevention of strokes and heart attacks, as well as for pregnant women, to replenish folic acid reserves. Cherry in any form is a tasty and healthy fruit that brings not only culinary pleasure, but also benefits the body.
The use of cherries in folk medicine
For two decades, cherries have been known to mankind and for the same amount of time people have been using it not only in cooking, but also to improve their health. Let's talk about this in more detail.
Eating cherries to boost immunity
Cherry for immunity is primarily important because it contains the hormone melatonin, which helps improve sleep. A small amount of such an enzyme can cause migraines and even disrupt the functioning of the central nervous system. For this cherries can be consumed not only fresh, but also dried and dried. Also, to increase immunity, the presence of vitamin C in the composition of cherries is useful, which is especially beneficial for the body in the winter.
Useful properties of cherries for the circulatory system
Often when discussing the beneficial properties of cherries, the question arises: does cherries increase blood pressure. There is only one answer: on the contrary, cherries help normalize blood pressure due to the high content of oxycoumarins and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The only thing that cherry can increase is hemoglobin, but this also has a beneficial effect on the body.
Important!Cherry tea or fresh cherry juice can be of particular benefit to athletes who do frequent cardio.
The benefits of cherries for the kidneys
Cherry contains a large amount of pectin, which helps the body cope with toxins and prevents the formation of stones, as well as sand in the kidneys. A decoction of cherries can help remove urea and urates from the body, which also contributes to the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. Preparing such a decoction is simple: 10 g of dry crushed berries should be poured with 200 ml of boiling water and boiled for 30 minutes. Then the broth is removed from the fire and filtered, boiled water is added. As a result, at least 250 ml of liquid should remain. You need to drink such a decoction throughout the day in small portions.
The effect of cherries on the digestive system
Cherries increase appetite and affect the production of food hormones, which is already good for the digestive system. The content of pectins helps in the fight against constipation and diarrhea. Organic acids contained in cherries activate the production of gastric juice and create a favorable microflora for the fastest food processing. Inositol, contained in cherries, also contributes to the normalization of digestion, reduces the risk of obesity or malnutrition.
Did you know?To prevent diseases of the digestive system, it is enough to eat only 20 cherries a day.
Cherry for weight loss
In questions about losing weight, the question arises: is cherry compote useful? Of course, it is useful, because it is better to use cherries in a processed form - compotes or juices. It does an excellent job of quenching thirst, which replaces any carbonated drinks. Chlorogenic acid, which is found in large quantities in cherries, accelerates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, which contributes to weight loss and lower blood sugar.
The use of cherries in diseases of the stomach
Decoctions of cherry branches are used for diseases of the stomach, due to the fact that they normalize the process of digestion. To relieve general pain in the stomach and inflammatory processes, tea is well suited, which can be prepared not only from berries, but also from stalks and leaves. For medicinal purposes, you can use an infusion of the bark of a tree, which is good for stomach ulcers.
How cherry is used for cosmetic purposes
In cosmetology, cherry is popular primarily due to its subtle enchanting aroma. Most often, professional cosmetologists recommend the use of cherry masks for owners of oily skin, because cherries will help to cope with acne and open pores. Cherry juice is often used in hair and scalp care, preventing such a hated problem as premature "pollution" of hair.
Masks from cherries for hair are easy to prepare, just peel the berry from the stone and apply the resulting slurry on the face. If you decide to use cherries in the fight against acne, then the recipe for such a mask is as follows:2 tbsp. tablespoons of cherry pulp mixed with 1 tbsp. a spoonful of potato flour, a spoonful of orange juice and 1 tsp. aloe. For hair, you can use cherry juice or cherry infusion. Cherry juice is used in combination with potato starch: starch is gradually introduced into the juice and stirred until the consistency of thick sour cream. If you use this mask regularly, your hair will gain a healthy shine and silkiness.
Cherries and Cooking
Cherry in cooking is one of the most popular berries due to its availability. In the preparation of dishes and drinks, it can be used in any form, which makes cherries a versatile product. Since childhood, we have known several dishes using cherries, but in fact, the variety of goodies with cherries is amazing.
