Summer is here. With it come a few months in which one of the most refreshing allied foods to combat the heat is, without a doubt, the fruit. Think about it: what would you like more than a good watermelon, melon or pineapple? And let's not forget, of course, the cherries. The latter is a popular fruit both in spring and summer and, in addition to being fresh and tasty, it hides a series of properties that make it an even more attractive food. Do you want to know what are the unexpected benefits of cherries? Read on and find out!
Cherries, small bites of freshness
Although it is not known for sure, it is believed that the cherry has been known and consumed since prehistoric times. It is also not known for sure where it occurred, but it is likely that the origin of the cherry tree is in Asia Minor and that they were the migratory birds those who introduced it to Europe. With the name of Prunus aviumIt could be said that this species of cherry tree has given rise to a large part of those that are cultivated today. Without a doubt, a plant highly appreciated by the civilizations of the Ancient Age. In fact, both Romans and Greeks were largely to blame for the spread of this tree. Especially the former, who were not happy with the species that existed until then, created new varieties.
In Spain, one of the landmarks of the cherry tree is The Jerte Valley. It is located in the north of Extremadura, and in spring it offers a unique spectacle when its more than two million trees bloom and form a white sea that crosses the valley. «Following a centuries-old family tradition, the cherries are grown by hand in terraces carved in the high mountains of the Valley, between crystalline springs and pure air. Only such a unique environment, with a privileged microclimate, can the best cherries in Spain be grown ", they explain from the Cereza del Jerte association.
In fact, Spain -and specifically the provinces of Zaragoza, Cáceres, Barcelona, Castellón, Alicante, Rioja, Salamanca, Granada, Jaén and León- is among the main countries with cherry production. In addition, Germany, the United States, the Russian Federation, France, Iran, Italy, Lebanon, Romania and Turkey are also world leaders in this sector.
What are the unexpected benefits of cherries?
The cherry is one of those fruits that most appeals, among other things, on a hot day. Its flavor and ease of eating make this fruit a very popular option. But, as we told you at the beginning, they have a series of properties that make it an even more complete food.
The registered dietitian in Balance one Supplements, Trista Best, according to the gastronomic digital magazine Eat This Not That, stated that «Cherries they don't get the attention they deserve to be the nutrient-packed fruit that they are. ' The question is why? The expert answers this question: «A surprising benefit of cherries is their capacity for relieve joint pain and swelling from inflammatory arthritis«. Surprising, right? As the dietician analyzed, the reason for this property is that cherries contain "highly anti-inflammatory nutrients, known as antioxidants." Hence, this fruit is beneficial to treat these inflammations.
Studies that support these properties
In 2013, the magazine Osteoarthritis Cartilage decided to carry out a study to prove how effective the consumption of cherries was for osteoarthritis pain. According to the magazine Eat This Not That "58 non-diabetic adults with osteoarthritis were given two 8-ounce bottles of tart cherry juice or a placebo to drink daily for six weeks." At the end of the trial period and after a one-week break, the treatment was exchanged. It was found that, although with a minimally pronounced effect, "tart cherry juice provided some relief from symptoms among the osteoarthritis patients studied. '
However, the surprises do not end there. The Environmental Health expert added that "eating a cup of cherries before bed could also improve the quality of sleep." The reason is that this fruit contains «natural melatonin, a hormone associated with the sleep-wake cycle, which is known to increases the quality and duration of sleep«.
Now that you know the "healthy secrets" that cherries hide, what are you waiting for to buy them?
