ORGANIC CHERRIES-Key elements; Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, Folic acid, Calcium, cobalt, Iron, Magnesium,
Organic Cherries are one of the sweetest ways to ingest a excellent dose of Vitamin C, fibre and a great dose of quercetin, an amazing flavonoid which is an anti carcinogenic and antioxidant!. If that's not enough, they taste amazing too! Ranging from rub red to a paler pink, there are thousands of different varieties of cherries with only a handful being grown commercially in Australia.
Cherry's are not berries but in fact are known as a drupe, flesh or skin surrounding a single stoney seed and they actually don't ripen once they have been picked, so in fact all cherries are tree ripened.
Polyphenolics Egallic acid and Lignans found in cherries can help to slow or inhibit the progression of cancer, fibre content can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Cherries have been found to lower blood plasma urate, in fact reducing gout pain, rendering cherries as excellent inflammatory foods, they reduce muscle pain after exercise, also touted as a great anti ageing food due to its high source of vitamin E and C, and are being investigated as a super food with an ability to reverse neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Researchers have also found that eating cherries can be a great antidote for insomnia, the juice of the cherries not only increases the quality of sleep, but the length of time slept, with an average of 39 minutes longer after regular ingestion. This phenomena has been attributed to the high melatonin levels affecting circadian rhythms.
HISTORY
Cherries were first found growing in China around 4000BC, but were named after the town in which they were found in 300BC, Cerasus in Turkey.
OUR SEASON
In Victoria, our local organic cherry season extends from late November to end of December.
EATING
Cherries are best eaten fresh, preferably local, preferably organic. Conventional farmers tend to use fungacides to prevent fungal growth after rain. Go organic, free of chemicals, just pure clean food.
FOOD AS MEDICINE:
GOUT: Traditional folklore dictates that the juice of cherries are to be used to treat gout, researchers have found this to be true with a substance called cyanidin, a potent anti inflammatory that reduces swelling and pain, can also be effective for arthritis.
INSOMNIA: scientists have found that ingesting cherry juice on a regular basis, sleep time and quality are improved.
LARYNGITIS: In China, cherries are used to reduce symptoms and relieve discomfort of laryngitis, slowly chewing a minimum 10 cherries a day.
TOOTH DECAY: Researchers have found that cherry juice is a potent anti-bacterial agent that fights decay...(there is an idea Cherry toothpaste!!)
WEIGHT LOSS: Researchers have also found that regular consumption improves metabolism and boosts energy levels.
STORING CHERRIES
Cherries must be refrigerated, leaving at room temperature is not the best environment for cherries. Store loosely without washing first preferably in a covered container ensuring that the stems are left on as they keep the cherries fresh.
QUICK SERVING IDEAS:
NOTES
REFERENCES
Robert A. Jacob, Giovanna M. Spinozzi, Vicky A. Simon, Darshan S. Kelley, Ronald L. Prior, Betty Hess-Pierce and Adel A. Kader. 2003. '
Consumption of Cherries Lowers Plasma Urate in Healthy Women.' The American Society for Nutritional Sciences J. Nutr. 133:1826-1829.
Howatson G, Bell PG, Tallent J, Middleton B, McHugh MP, Ellis J. 2011. 'Effect of tart cherry juice (prunus cerasus) on melatonin levels and enhanced sleep quality' European journal of Nutrition.
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