Low in calories and contain no fat High in potassium, vitamin C, B complex and minerals
In addition to being rich in potassium, vitamin C, and B complex, research has shown that cherry consumption can help the body prevent heart disease and cancer, as well as provide pain relief and improved bone health. These health benefits are possible due to the antioxidants found in cherries, the most vital of which are the flavonoids anthocyanins and quercetin, and the phenolic acid amygdalin. Heart Disease Prevention According to researchers, a flavonoid found in cherries that has anticarcinogenic properties called quercetin can help to prevent heart disease. Cherries are considered a nutritionally significant source of quercetin, containing large quantities per serving that surpass most fruits. Cancer Prevention A phenolic acid called amygdalin, also termed Vitamin B17 and laetrile, found in the kernels of cherries and other fruits, has been shown to reduce tumor size and further spread of cancer, as well as to alleviate the pains of the cancerous process. Populations such as the Hunza in Pakistan that have always incorporated amygdalin into their diets have remained cancer free, leading scientists to believe that its consumption could also be a powerful cancer prevention food. Pain Relief Anthocyanins found in cherries also block inflammatory enzymes, reducing pain. In fact, 20 cherries are 10 times as potent as aspirin and have positive effects on gout and arthritis pain. Bone Health Sweet cherries are also considered to be excellent sources of boron, providing 396 ug/100g. Boron consumption, coupled with calcium and magnesium has been linked to increased bone health.
Sources The National Cherry Growers and Dr. Mark Messina, PhD. "A Healthy Look at Sweet Cherries" Haas, Elson M., M.D. Staying Healthy With Nutrition http://www.newscientist.com/ns/19990206/newsstory6.html Ernest T. Krebs, Jr. "The Nature of Cancer"
Health information provided by
The California Cherry Advisory Board 33 East Oak Street PO Box 877 Lodi, CA 95241
RECIPES
CHOCOLATE CHERRY FROZEN PIE
1. Chocolate graham pie crust or regular graham crust
2. 4 cups chopped cherries (frozen works well)
3. 2-3 cups Cool whip
4. 1/2 tsp almond extract
5. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or substitute cherry kirsche
Mix together all the above ingredients and put into pie crust, freeze. Thaw a little (about 20 mins) before serving.
Cherry Sauce
Servings: 2 cups (500
mL) Ingredients 1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated
sugar *
1/2 cup (125 mL) water *
3 tbsp (50 mL) orange
juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) grated orange
rind
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon
juice
4 tsp (20 mL) cornstarch
2 cups (500 mL) sweet
black cherries, pitted
Preparation:
In stainless steel or enameled
saucepan, combine sugar, water, orange juice and rind, and lemon juice; bring
to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Blend cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL)
water; stir into sugar mixture along with cherries. Cook, stirring, over medium
heat for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve warm or chilled. (Sauce can be
covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.)* Note: I
use my home-frozen sugar-sweetened cherries, so I don’t add the water or sugar
called for in this recipe.
CLAFOUTIS
1 -
11/2 lbs ripe cherries (with pits) 3
eggs
1/2
cup sugar 2 1/2 oz
melted butter (75g) 2/3
cup flour 1
cup milk
vanilla
sugar
Butter a
large casserole/lasagna type dish.
Wash, dry
and stem cherries.
Cover
bottom of the dish with a layer of cherries.
In a
bowl, blend eggs and sugar until light coloured. Whisk in the butter.
Sift in flour and blend well, then blend in milk. Beat until
smooth, pour over cherries.
Bake at
400F for 40 min or until browned.
Sprinkle
with vanilla sugar.
It's best
eaten warm, but cold for breakfast is pretty good too!
