Introduction
Cherry is an important temperate fruit crop. It has high economic value. However, the shelf life of cherries is limited. It belongs to the family “Rosaceae”. Cherries require low temperatures for more yield. Moreover, well-drained and Sandy loam are required for cherry plants to thrive with a pH ranging from 6-7.5. Root cuttings and grafting methods can be used for the propagation of fruit. After harvesting, this fruit doesn’t ripe much as it is a non-climatic fruit. Fruit flesh is generally sweet.
Nutritional Composition of Cherries
Cherries are rich sources of various nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fibers etc.
1: Carbohydrates
It is the most prominent macro-nutrient in cherries. The total amount of sugar content available in sweet cherries is 12g/100g. Glucose and fructose are prominent sugars in cherries.
2: Proteins
In sweet cherries, 0.8 to 1.4g/100g of protein content is present in fruit while in sour cherries, protein content is 1g/100g. Cherries contain the amino acid, tryptophan which is the precursor of indoles as well as organoleptic characters of this fruit.
3: Organic acids
Various organic acids are present in cherries including citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, and ascorbic acid, etc. These organic acids play a role in maintaining tartness and fruit flavor.
4: Vitamins and minerals
Cherries contain minerals including potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium. They also contain vitamins A and C.
5: Lipids and fibers
Cherries have low-fat content, mostly in the saturated form. Major fatty acids which are 85% of total fatty acids content are oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and palmitic acid. They also contain fibers.
6: Phytochemical Contents
Carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, flavonols, and anthocyanins are major phytochemicals present in cherries.
Health Benefits of Cherries
As cherries contain plenty of nutrients, therefore, they have abundant health benefits. Their intake reduces the risk of several diseases including cardiovascular diseases, arthritis and cancer etc.
1: Antioxidant Effects
Oxidation stress creates chronic metabolic conditions. Cherries have higher antioxidant capacity than apples and kiwi.
2: Control Diabetes
Cherry bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins and quercetin, can protect against obesity by reducing insulin resistance and preventing diabetes. These compounds enhance insulin secretion and metabolism, leading to reduced blood sugar levels. Sweet cherries, with a low Glycemic Index (GI). Cherries contain fiber that inhibits α-glucosidase activity, reducing blood sugar levels.
3: Control Blood lipids
cherry consumption can reduce VLDL and TG/HDL ratios in overweight individuals. Cherry consumption has cardioprotective effects, reducing oxidative stress and heart attack risk. Cyanidins-3-O-glucoside helps remove cholesterol and reduce CVD risk. Sweet cherries may increase PAI-1 concentration, a mediator responsible for clot formation. Consuming cherry-enriched diets for 90 days reduces pro-inflammatory molecules and enhances peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.
4: Control blood pressure
Raised blood pressure is responsible for 12.5% of total deaths. This high blood pressure increases the risk of various diseases i.e. CVD, stroke, kidney failure, vascular damage, and vision defects. Cherries, rich in potassium, can reduce blood pressure and associated risks.
5: Arthritis
Arthritis is a group of rheumatic diseases caused by joint inflammation, causing stiffness, pain, swelling, and restricted motion. Common types include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Cherry consumption can reduce rheumatic disorder risk by inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity and maintaining normal plasma uric acid concentrations.
7: Inflammation
Cherry consumption reduces inflammatory markers and CVD risk. Polyphenols in cherries may inhibit cyclooxygenase II enzyme which is involved in inflammatory pathways, apoptosis, and cell proliferation.
Conclusion
Cherry is an important fruit, having rich nutritional composition and abundant health benefits. It is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, phytochemicals, etc. This composition of cherries helps them fight different diseases i.e. arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure. They also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.