Black Cherries Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair and Health
We have cherries as snacks and also bake them in desserts. Black cherry is darker in color than the red cherries commonly found in ice-creams, pies, sodas, jellies and other foods. The tree of black cherry is small, growing up to a height of 80 feet. Unripe black cherries are orange in color and when ripe, they turn to red or black in color. They are used in dark chocolate cakes and for garnishing cocktails because of their astringent flavor.
Black cherry is a bittersweet fruit and is also known as wild cherry, rum cherry or mountain black cherry. It has lots of health benefits. It is also taken as supplements. There are two types of supplements. One is got from the fruit, like black cherry juice or concentrate. The other one is got from the bark of the black cherry tree.
You must not consume the leaves of black cherry tree as they contain a chemical, which can get converted into a form of cyanide when it enters the body. The bark of this tree also contains this chemical. So, you must take it only after consulting a physician.
Benefits of Black Cherries for Skin:
Anti-ageing benefits:
It is the free radicals in the body that are responsible for premature ageing of the skin. Anthocyanins on this fruit have the power to fight against the free radicals and prevent damages of the skin cells. This way it helps in preventing premature ageing of the skin and reduces the appearance wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of ageing.
Promotes skin health:
Presence of water in high amounts in black cherry helps in keeping your skin well hydrated. This makes your skin bright, clear and vibrant. Water is good for removing toxins from the body and allowing smooth flow of nutrients to all cells of the skin. When the skin is well hydrated, it becomes soft and plump, and looks firmer and healthier.
Skin protection:
You can protect your skin from the harmful actions of UV rays of the sun by drinking black cherry juice regularly. Anthocyains in this fruit have anti-carcinogenic properties and protect your skin from skin cancer. Beta-carotene in black cherries also protects your skin from damages caused by the sun.
Benefits of Black Cherries for Hair:
Combats hair loss:
One of the common causes for hair loss is anemia. You can treat it by including iron rich foods in your diet. Black cherry juice contains iron in high amounts. By consuming this juice, you can cure anemia and reduce hair loss.
Promotes hair health:
The extract of black cherry fruit contains vitamins and supplements that are essential for the hair. These help in making your hair stronger and prevent various hair problems like hair loss and split ends.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Black Cherries:
Anti-inflammatory:
It is due to the damages caused by free radicals in the body that inflammation occurs. This can affect the natural response of the immune system negatively and it is regarded as one of the chief factors for heart disease. The anthocyanin compounds in black cherry have the power to fight against the free radicals and help in preventing inflammation. Black cherry extract is very beneficial for reducing inflammation.
Beneficial for heart:
Black cherries can protect the walls of your arteries from getting damaged. This makes this fruit very beneficial for the heart. The melatonin contained in black cherries can lower the levels of blood lipids, thus reducing the risk of stroke and diseases of the heart. Anthocyanin in this fruit also protects you from the risks of heart diseases.
Facilitates sleep:
When uric acid gets crystallized and accumulates in the joints, you suffer from arthritis. It causes severe pain. Those who have high levels of urate in their blood may suffer from gout attack. Black cherry juice can provide you relief from arthritis pain as the anthocyanin compounds in this fruit help in breaking the crystals that collect at the joints and induce pain. You can reduce gout attacks by drinking 8 to 16 ounces of black cherry juice daily for about two weeks.
Facilitates good sleep:
Melatonin is an antioxidant that is produced in the pineal gland of brain. It can help you regulate sleep patterns. Black cherries contain good amounts of this antioxidant. It contains more melatonin that that produced by the body. So, it is very beneficial for combating insomnia and depression. By having one ounce of concentrated black cherry juice about an hour before you go to sleep, you will get sound and peaceful sleep. It calms your mind and relaxes you, so that you get a good sleep.
Fights tooth decay:
Cavities in the tooth and tooth decay are often the results of poor oral hygiene. Certain compounds present in black cherries have the ability to block the plaque formation, which can cause cavities and decay. So, by including black cherries in your regular diet, you can lower the risks of tooth decay.
Helps prevent cancer:
Black cherries are rich sources of many antioxidants, which can prevent the formation of various cancer cells.
Reduces oxidative stress:
Free radical can cause oxidative stress if they are not removed on time. This can affect the defense mechanism of the body. Antioxidants in black cherries fight against the free radicals and prevent oxidative stress by neutralizing the free radicals.
Other benefits:
You can reduce blood cholesterol and prevent pre-mature ageing and age-related deterioration of eye sight by consuming black cherries regularly. They are also good for losing weight as they are high in water content and dietary fiber, and low in calories. The bark of this tree can get you relief from cough. You can reduce damages done to your muscles due to excessive exercise, by drinking black cherry juice daily. Black cherry tea is good for the intestine and to improve metabolism.