The cherry is the fruit that comes from the cherry tree. Cherries ripen from late spring to early summer. Although their geographical origin has not been fully determined, they are believed to come from regions near the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The cherry is an exquisite fruit, packed with vitamins and minerals, among other compounds beneficial to health.
In this post, we tell you in detail about the nutritional properties of this seasonal fruit, which you will soon find in all supermarkets.
There are different varieties of cherries, whose names are related to their place of origin, ripening period, flowering pattern, among other factors. However, the main varieties are: sweet cherries (Prunus avium), sour cherries or Morello cherries (Prunus cerasus), and Duke cherries, a hybrid between sweet and sour cherries.
The nutritional properties of cherries:
Caloric value:
Cherries, like most fruits, are low in calories per serving. For every 100 grams of edible portion, cherries provide 65 kcal. Cherries are a rich source of carbohydrates, especially simple sugars such as fructose, glucose, and sucrose.
Vitamins and minerals:
The vitamin that stands out the most in cherries is vitamin C. They also provide provitamin A, folates, and thiamine. Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant power. It helps combat oxidative stress and free radicals.
They also contain significant amounts of potassium and, to a lesser extent, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and calcium.
High fiber content:
For every 100 grams of cherries, they provide 2 grams of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber helps maintain good intestinal transit.
Other compounds:
The fruit’s composition contains bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, which are mainly found in the fleshy part of the fruit and stand out for their antioxidant properties. It also contains monoterpenes such as perillyl alcohol and various flavonoids.
Cherry extract and anthocyanin:
In addition to the properties mentioned above, cherries are used to produce various supplements and dietary products. There is a dry cherry extract, which we have even used in the formulation of certain supplements in the Life Pro catalog: Montmorency Dry Cherry Extract CherryPure.
This extract comes from sour cherries originating in the French city of Montmorency. They are characterized by their high content of antioxidants and phytonutrients such as anthocyanin.
Anthocyanin is a natural pigment and flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Various studies have shown certain benefits in reducing muscle inflammation. In addition, Montmorency cherry extract is also a source of melatonin, the compound responsible for sleep and rest, which are fundamental to muscle recovery.