Cherries and cherries in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Cherry is a popular and very affordable berry that grows literally in every homestead.

It is unlikely that anyone thinks about how these small round fruits can be useful for health, what a rich composition is hidden in the shiny skin, which during the ripening process changes color from green to dark red, almost black.

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Benefits

In terms of vitamin C content, cherries, like cherries, do not claim leadership, but they have a lot of vitamin P (2nd place after chokeberry), which, together with ascorbic acid, helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Ripe fruits also contain vitamin A, necessary for maintaining vision, and 5 B vitamins necessary for diabetes, as well as biotin with insulin-like action and vitamin E, which improves metabolism and skin regeneration.

Many also consider sweet cherries to be a type of cherry because of the external similarity of the fruits. In fact, these are completely different trees, the fruits of which differ somewhat in their composition and properties.

The caloric content and glycemic index of cherries are the same as those of cherries, and the content is even slightly less, despite the fact that the berries seem sweeter. It is also recommended to eat cherries fresh in the amount of 100 g per day. If the berry is not sweet, you can increase the dose a little, but with type 2 diabetes, you should not forget to take into account the rest of the calories eaten during the day.

The vitamin composition of the berry alone is of great value for diabetes. But the fruit also contains many minerals. The highest content of potassium, which supports the work of the heart, and about 20 different microelements, each of which contributes to maintaining the health of a diabetic, makes cherries a significant berry for diabetes.

The high antioxidant properties of the berry help fight the existing disease and prevent its complications. Cherries are characterized by: the ability to control blood pressure and strengthen blood vessels, a large content of substances that stimulate the pancreas and thus reduce blood sugar levels, and a rich vitamin and mineral composition that allows you to replenish the reserves of nutrients that are quickly depleted in diabetes.

All this speaks in favor of eating cherries for this disease, but preference should be given to red berries, because natural stimulants of the pancreas are also a coloring pigment, which gives the fruits a red or purple hue.

The caloric content of fresh cherries is relatively low - 50-52 kcal, and the carbohydrate content in 100 g of the product is about 11.5 g, of which sugar is just over 10 g, which is quite acceptable for diabetes, given the presence of plant fibers in the berries that inhibit the absorption of fast sugars. Thanks to them, the glycemic index of cherries is very low - 22 units.

Nutritionists recommend eating cherries fresh or frozen for diabetes, without adding any sweeteners that increase the caloric content and GI of the product. The daily dose of cherries for type 2 diabetes should not exceed 100 g. This is enough to maintain blood glucose levels and saturate the body with nutrients.

In addition to berries, other parts of the plant (leaves, stalks, bark) can be used as food, preparing healing infusions and decoctions from them. Delicious and healthy drinks are obtained if the raw material of cherries is combined with the leaves of currants, raspberries, blueberries, etc.

Cherries contain vitamin C in moderate quantities, 5 B vitamins, vitamin E and a large amount of bioflavonoids, which affect enzymatic activity and improve the condition of the vascular system.

The mineral composition of the berry is also noteworthy. In addition to the standard set of microelements common to almost all berries, cherries contain iodine, manganese, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, chromium and fluorine in sufficient quantities. Cobalt and manganese are actively involved in the process of hematopoiesis, increase the body's defenses and help to quickly recover from illnesses. Metabolic disorders observed in diabetes are very often accompanied by the development of anemia, so replenishing cobalt reserves will not hurt diabetics. For the same reason, the condition of teeth also worsens, so the inclusion of fluorine in the composition of cherries will also come in handy.

Vitamin C along with coumarins give cherries the ability to reduce blood viscosity and lower high blood pressure. Cherries are also quite popular as a preventive measure against vascular atherosclerosis. But the most important thing is that the sweet and sour fruits with a rich taste contain a large amount of anthocyanins - substances that increase the activity of the pancreas and stimulate the production of insulin. Thanks to this, you can achieve the desired reduction in blood sugar levels.

Cherries are considered useful for joint diseases (they remove excess salts), improve digestion, preventing constipation, and normalize the state of the nervous system, which promotes a good night's rest.

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Contraindications

Cherry. Cherry tree fruits have a pronounced sweet and sour taste due to the high content of organic acids. With normal and low acidity of gastric juice, this property of berries will not cause harm, but for patients with an increased level of acid in the stomach, eating cherries is fraught with stomach pain, heartburn, gastritis and gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. In case of exacerbation of these diseases, eating cherries is strictly prohibited.

Limiting the amount of berries consumed is also recommended for chronic lung pathologies.

Eating cherries in large quantities is dangerous for everyone, because their pits and even fruits contain a substance called amygdalin, the metabolism of which in the intestines occurs with the release of hydrocyanic acid, which is considered a poison.

Sweet cherries. This berry is generally safe and less sour than cherries, but it still has some restrictions on consumption. Any variety of sweet cherries are dangerous to consume in case of adhesive disease that has affected the intestines, and in case of obstruction of the rectum. Sour varieties of berries are not recommended for increased acidity of gastric juice, stomach ulcers and gastritis in the acute stage.

It is not recommended to eat cherries and sweet cherries on an empty stomach, however, as well as immediately after a meal. The interval between eating and eating berries should be at least 40 minutes.

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