Introduction
Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a native plant to Eastern North America. Typically, it is a small plant that sometimes grow up to 80 feet tall. It is also known as wild cherry, wild black cherry, mountain black cherry, rum cherry, and American cherry. The black cherry fruit is a reddish-black round drupe in appearance and has a bitter-sweet taste. The fruit of the black cherry tree has many culinary uses including making jams, jellies, pies, soda, ice cream, and wine.
The little cherry houses powerful antioxidants and essential nutrients. Typically, it has 17 antioxidants including anthocyanins, queritin, and isqueritin. It also contains vitamin A, C, and the B vitamins while its mineral content includes calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and traces of copper, selenium, zinc and cadmium.
Gout Relief
Black cherry concentrate is commonly used to treat gout problems because of its anti-inflammatory properties. According to a research study conducted by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, that black cherries that are consumed either fresh, dried or juiced can reduce the levels of uric acid in your bloodstream that causes gout pain.
In a study at the University of California, Davis found that women who were served with one serving of cherries everyday have decreased their uric acid levels by 15 percent.
Promote Better Sleep
Many people who regularly consumed black cherry have shown to have better sleep at night and woke up the next morning feeling fresh. The presence of serotonin in black cherry should be appreciated. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter which plays a significant role in the body’s normal functioning including regulating the sleep / wake cycle. Also, serotonin is known as the happy hormone because it promotes the sense of well-being and optimism.
Prevents Heart Diseases and Cancer
Black cherries also offers powerful antioxidants which combats damaging free radicals in the body. Flavonoids is an antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables including black cherries. Flavonoids are well-known to treat type 2 diabetes, ulcers, and heart diseases.
Arthritis Pain Relief
A research study at University of Michigan showed that animals which was fed with cherries regularly have reduced the inflammation level by up to 50 percent than those animals who were not given cherries. Researchers found that the anthocyanins in cherries reduces the inflammation. In humans, black cherries or its black cherry concentrate is beneficial for people suffering from inflammation-related diseases, including arthritis.
Because of the increasing demand for cherries, many companies began bottling black cherry juices and black cherry concentrate in order to make a large consumption more achievable. Black cherry concentrate has less water with more concentrated nutrients than black cherry juice alone. To make a concentrate, manufacturers use a specialized filtration and extraction process. Whether you are suffering from gout pain or not, a regular consumption of black cherry should be added to your diet to supplement your diet with the essential vitamins and minerals that your body need as well as flushes out toxins that can lead to certain kind of diseases.
Conclusion
Black cherry contains natural goodness and anyone can reap rewards from regularly consuming this high-antioxidant food. Whether you pour it in your smoothie or toss it in your favorite dish, you will surely enjoy its nutrients in a more delicious way.