Cherry vs sweet cherry: sisters, not twins
They differ in appearance and taste: cherries are usually smaller and more sour. But what about their properties and effects on the body? Our colleagues from «Doctor Peter» asked Natalia Muratova, a lecturer at the Institute of Nutrition at the National Academy of Medical Education (NAMO) named after Borodin, about this.
What’s the difference
Cherries and sweet cherries are relatives, but they differ in composition and effect on the body.
«The main thing: cherries contain more acids, sweet cherries contain more sugars. Both berries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, but the emphasis is different,» explains Natalia Muratova.
Cherry is a champion in anthocyanins and organic acids. Anthocyanins reduce inflammation, strengthen blood vessels, and protect cells. Cherries contain many coumarins — they thin the blood and reduce the risk of blood clots. Pectins in the composition help the intestines. Chlorogenic acid supports carbohydrate metabolism.
«There is data that cherries lower uric acid — this is important for people with gout,» adds the expert.
Sweet cherry is sweeter, contains more glucose and fructose, but less acids and anthocyanins. However, it is richer in potassium — helps remove excess fluid and lower blood pressure. Vitamin C in sweet cherries is approximately as much as in red currants.
«In addition, sweet cherries contain melatonin — it helps regulate sleep. It has a milder effect on the stomach lining, so with gastritis of high acidity, sweet cherries are often tolerated better than cherries,» compares the nutrition specialist.
Who should not overindulge in sweet cherries and cherries
Overall, both berries are healthy, but not suitable for everyone.
Cherries are best avoided with gastritis of high acidity and ulcers — acids irritate the mucosa; with diabetes and obesity — due to sugars; with a tendency to diarrhea — consumption of raw berries has a laxative effect.
Sweet cherries should be limited during exacerbation of gastritis, pancreatitis, colitis, as they can provoke pain and bloating. The sweet berry is also not recommended for diabetes, the portion must be strictly controlled, no more than 100–150 g per day and only after meals. And, of course, if allergic to stone fruits: sweet cherries give a cross-reaction with peaches, plums, apricots.
According to Natalia Muratova, the main dietary recommendations are: do not eat on an empty stomach, do not exceed 300–400 g per day for a healthy person (and, of course, not every day), with diabetes — no more than 100–150 g.
What science says
Italian biologists decided to compare the composition of sweet cherries and cherries in more detail. It turned out that cherries have a higher concentration of vitamin A and beta-carotene. They also lead in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium content. They also contain a higher level of total phenols compared to sweet cherries.
By the way: cherries are a must for women
Specialists from the University of Texas in the USA conducted a study, after which they concluded: dark cherries contain compounds that help fight aggressive breast cancer. The experiment was conducted on mice. In laboratory conditions, scientists isolated plant substances anthocyanins from cherries and tested their effect on the animals’ bodies:
the first group received anthocyanins from cherries before tumor implantation;
the second group was treated with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin after tumors appeared;
the third group was treated with both anthocyanins and chemotherapy;
the fourth group received neither anthocyanins nor drugs — it was the control group.
According to the researchers, in mice that received cherry compounds before tumor formation, tumor growth slowed, and no obvious side effects were observed. In addition, the animals continued to gain weight normally during the study.
Mice that received only chemotherapy sometimes lost weight, and in later stages of the study, tumor growth slowed. But when chemotherapy was supplemented with cherry compounds, tumor growth stopped earlier, and the animals maintained a healthy weight.
The researchers also studied the activity of genes inside cancer cells. They found that compounds found in cherries reduce the activity of genes associated with cancer spread and therapy resistance.
Treatment with anthocyanins also reduced the likelihood of cancer spreading to the liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen, although the number and size of tumors varied between animals.
