The benefits and harm of red cherry for health
 Red bird cherry

Red bird cherry is a rare culture in our country that you should pay attention to. The plant will appeal to gardeners, lovers of landscape design and unusual culinary preparations. Medicinal properties of the fruit will be useful in many diseases or simply prevention of the body..

The composition of the fruit of red cherry

Red bird cherry - the popular name of the culture, which appeared due to the purchase of purple leaves at the end of the growing season. In biology, the plant is called the virgin cherry bird by the name of the state in the eastern United States, where it grows everywhere in the wild. In Europe, the plant is known since 1724.

 Red bird cherry is the biological name Virginskaya
Red bird cherry is the biological name Virginskaya

Shrub (tree) was widely spread in North America, which was facilitated by massive cutting down of impenetrable forests by European settlers. North American Indians used medicinal properties of fruits and bark, valuable qualities of wood, for which the plant has become an important part of everyday life. For cultivation in home gardening, bird cherry species with better performance characteristics were selected.

The study of the chemical composition of red fruits and bark of the red cherry tree is mainly conducted by US scientists, research data allow us to make a characteristic of useful substances.

The fruits of red cherry contain:

  • vitamins C, P;
  • tannins;
  • lycopene;
  • anthocyanins;
  • coffee, chlorogenic, ferulic acid;
  • polysaccharides;
  • essential oils.

Sugar accounts for 9-13%, and the amount of tannins is only 0,9-0,13%. These indicators are significantly different from the content of similar substances in the fruits of the bird cherry ordinary (5% / 15%). Therefore, the fruits of krasnoplodnoy bird cherry is much sweeter and do not have pronounced binding properties.

The bark, buds, flowers, leaves and bones of the red bird cherry contain glucoside prunazin, which, splitting and binding to the enzymes of the stomach, forms a toxic substance - hydrocyanic acid. Poisoning occurs when using a very large number of components of the plant, so there is no serious danger to humans. But it can harm livestock for which green leaves are attractive as fresh feed.

Benefits of red berries for human health

Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins (7.57%) contained in the red bird cherry are several times higher than other plant sources. Therefore, the plant is an excellent source of biologically active polyphenols consisting of glycosides, which are part of many medical preparations.

Feature of anthocyanins - lack of synthesis in the human body.They quickly collapse and do not accumulate in the body, so they must constantly deal with food. The daily need of a healthy person is 200 mg, and the patient has 300 mg.

 Anthocyanins contained in the red bird cherry strengthen vision
Anthocyanins contained in the red bird cherry strengthen vision

Anthocyanins are known for their antioxidant, sedative, antibacterial and firming properties. therefore used in complex treatment and prevention:

  • catarrhal diseases;
  • viral and bacterial infections;
  • cardiovascular failure;
  • eye pathologies;
  • neuropathy, stress, insomnia;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • depletion of the body after chemotherapy;
  • cleanse the body of toxins.

Anthocyanins are part of many nutritional supplements for eye sight. Studies have shown that people who consistently take active polyphenols have more acute vision.

Chlorogenic acid

Chlorogenic acid (355.3 mg) is not often found in nature, It is mainly found in green coffee beans and, when roasted, loses an impressive part of its beneficial properties.. This acid is primarily known for its fat burning properties, which are massively used by manufacturers of slimming products.In addition, the substance has regulatory, tonic and antioxidant properties.

 The berries of virgin cherry contains chlorogenic acid, which has fat burning properties
The berries of virgin cherry contains chlorogenic acid, which has fat burning properties

Benefits for the body:

  • reduced sugar levels;
  • suppression of the synthesis of "bad" cholesterol;
  • stabilization of the bowels;
  • removal of toxins from the body;
  • acceleration of metabolism;
  • prevention of blood clots;
  • fat burning due to the regulation of glucose synthesis.

Caffeic acid

Caffeic acid (181.1 mg) has a carcinogenic effect.by inhibiting the development of cancer cells.

Feluric acid

Feluric acid (194.3 mg) is known for its anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, sunscreen properties, further enhances the bioavailability of vitamin E. This substance is often used in cosmetology., including in the composition of anti-aging, protective and brightening skin care products.

Tannins

Tannins (1%) of red cherry fruits have P-vitamin properties. This is a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal mucosa, the regulation of gastrointestinal secretory function.As a result, intestinal peristalsis improves, the intensity of absorption of products increases.

Tannins have a bacteriostatic (growth retardant) effect on many microorganisms, absorb (absorb) toxins.

 The composition of berries red cherry includes tannins
The composition of berries red cherry includes tannins

Benefits for the body:

  • elimination of dysentery, dysbiosis;
  • purification from radioactive elements;
  • regulation of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • prevention of radiation sickness, leukemia;
  • elimination of poisoning of plant poisons and salts of heavy metals.

Tannins are destroyed during freezing, quickly associated with proteins of other products, not having time to reach the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, in order not to be harmed by the fruits of red cherry, they are consumed fresh and on an empty stomach..

Fruits of red currant are contraindicated for use in acute pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, increased acidity of the body and in the presence of individual intolerance to the components. This is a potential allergen that should not be used when the immune system is hypersensitive. Excessive intake of fruit in the body provokes intestinal obstruction.

Recommendations for consuming red bird cherry

Fruits of red bird cherry are ideal for culinary preparations and a great opportunity to diversify the usual diet. They are consumed fresh, dried and in powder form.. From the fruits of red cherry prepare jam, stewed fruit, tinctures and fillings for pies.

 Fruits of red cherry in dried form are also widely used.
Fruits of red cherry in dried form are also widely used.

Collect the fruit after full technical ripening together with the stalks and dried in the oven, spreading it on a baking sheet. The temperature is maintained within one hour. 35 ° -40 ° Cthen raise up 60 ° -80 ° Cperiodically airing the oven. At the final stage, the temperature is reduced to a minimum. After drying, the stem is removed, the fruit is placed in glass jars with lids tightly closed.

Flour from the fruit of red cherry can rightly be considered a delicacy. It produces extraordinary desserts, pastries, jelly, sauces for hot dishes, flavoring for tinctures and compotes. This is a useful and low-calorie (118.4 / 100g) product, which will add new flavors and diversify any therapeutic diet.

One of the important components of flour is fiber, which gets into the product from the rind and the stone during grinding.The indicator of this substance in the product is second only to whole grain flour. Therefore, flour from the fruits of red bird cherry is useful for weight loss or healthy eating.

 Flour from red bird cherry has found its wide application in cooking
Flour from red bird cherry has found its wide application in cooking

For flour dried fruits are ground in a coffee grinder or in a food processor with the appropriate functions. Store the product in glass containers with the lid closed in a dark and cool room. Flour and dried fruits retain useful properties for up to 2 years.

Leaves and bark of a red bird cherry also possess medical properties. They contain volatile and tannins. Therefore, used in folk medicine as part of decoctions and tinctures for the treatment of colds and bronchopulmonary diseases.

Recipes from the fruit of red cherry

Despite the rather modest distribution of red bird cherry in gardening, home cooks have collected an interesting collection of recipes.

Tonic compote

 Compote from a red bird cherry for the winter
Compote from a red bird cherry for the winter

Ingredients:

  • cherry fruits 1kg;
  • sugar 300 g;
  • water.

Washed fruits blanch 3-4 minutes. Measure out the water according to the number of harvested cans and boil the syrup.To do this, add sugar to the water and boil until completely dissolved (3-5 minutes). Fruits are poured over with syrup and kept for 5 hours, having previously closed the lid.

After that, the berries are distributed in sterilized jars, filling ¼ of the total. Put the syrup on the fire and bring to a boil and pour the jars to the top. The containers are rolled up and turned upside down, they are wrapped in warm material and kept 24 hours. After this compote can be removed to the place of storage.

Jam

 Red cherry jam
Red cherry jam

Ingredients:

  • cherry fruit 1 kg;
  • sugar 1 kg;
  • citric acid to taste.

Prepared fruits of red bird cherry are covered with sugar and kept 10 hours. After that, the separated juice is drained and brought to a boil. Fruits are filled with hot juice and cooked until tender. Willingness is determined by the consistency of syrup. To do this, drop a little jam on a cold dish. If it keeps its shape well and does not spread out - jam is ready.

Bird-like flour

 Kissel with Cherry Flour Starch
Kissel with Cherry Flour Starch

Ingredients:

  • flour 100 g;
  • honey 2 tbsp. l .;
  • starch 1 tbsp. l .;
  • water 1.5 liters

Flour bred in 0.5 l boiling water and stirred until complete elimination of lumps. The mixture, starch and honey are added to 1 liter of boiling water. Once again, bring to a boil and remove from heat.

Dessert cake

 Bird cherry pie
Bird cherry pie

Ingredients:

  • cherry fruit 500 g;
  • sugar 300 g;
  • yeast dough.

The washed fruits are blanched with sugar (7 minutes) and frayed. Roll out the dough and spread on a baking sheet, greased with butter. Spread on top of the filling layer of 2 cm. Bake at temperature 200°average through 30-40 minutes the cake will be ready. In winter, the filling can be made from the powder of dry fruits.

Tincture on vodka

 Tincture of red bird cherry
Tincture of red bird cherry

Ingredients:

  • cherry fruit 400 g;
  • vodka 0.5 liters;
  • sugar 100 g

To prepare tinctures, the largest fruits are selected, picked and washed. Fruits spread in a glass container, covered with sugar and incubated until the juice is formed. After that, vodka is poured into the container, mixed and tightly closed with a lid. Insist on temperature + 22 ° С- + 25 ° С in a dark room 20-25 days. After that, the drink is filtered through a gauze cloth and bottled with a dark glass. Tincture perfectly stored up to 1 year.

The beneficial properties of red cherry fruit are preserved during drying and other methods of harvesting.This is a great opportunity to improve health all year round. Fruits can be added to tea or brewed separately as a tonic drink.. Red bird cherry goes well with strawberries, wild rose, sea buckthorn and all useful herbs.