Black cherry, or Prunus serotina, is the fruit of a tree native to eastern and central regions of North America. The fruit is green to red at first and then ripens to an almost black color. It is usually astringent and a little bitter when eaten fresh, but also somewhat sweet. Black cherries should be distinguished from sweet cherries, or Prunus avium, which are native to Europe, Africa and Asia, bright red to purple in color, and have a sweeter taste. Black cherries contain various compounds such as antioxidants, which provide medicinal benefits.
Black Cherry Uses
Black cherries are commonly used to make jams, pies, ice cream, chocolate desserts, liqueurs and soda pop. Black cherries are often used instead of sweet cherries because of their sharper taste. Cherries are a good natural source of pectin, making them an ideal choice for jellies. Black cherries, like other varieties, contain a wide variety of nutrients.
Nutritional Content
Black cherries contain many vitamins and minerals, but are particularly good sources of vitamins C and E, which are both strong antioxidants. Sour varieties of cherry contain more vitamin C and citric acid than sweeter black cherries, which tend to alkalize the body and dissolve material that contributes to the formation of kidney stones and gout crystals, according to Michelle McGuire, author of "Nutritional Sciences." As such, sour cherry products are more common as medicinal remedies compared to black cherry products. Black cherry contains other powerful antioxidants called kempferol, quercetin and anthocyanins, and is a source of the hormone melatonin.
Medicinal Benefits
Anthocyanins are flavonoids that give cherries their color and astringent taste, but a variety of studies have concluded that they may be beneficial in helping to fight cancer, neurological diseases, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and bacterial infections, according to Catherine Ulbricht in "Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Reference: Evidence-based Clinical Reviews." Specifically, anthocyanins from black cherries have shown promise in decreasing the risk of colon cancer and minimizing the symptoms of arthritis and gout.
The high antioxidant content in black cherries helps to eliminate free-radicals and protects your blood vessels and other tissues from deterioration. Although not as effective as sour cherry, black cherry decreases uric acid levels in your blood and reduces the risk of gout attacks, according to "Medical Herbalism" by David Hoffman. Further, the melatonin content in black cherries can help regulate your sleep cycles, which can enhance your immunity.
Cautions
Like apricots and bitter almonds, the pits of black cherries contain amygdalin, which can be converted into molecules of cyanide within your body with the help of certain enzymes, according to the "Textbook of Nutritional Medicine." As such, the pits should not be crushed and consumed in quantity or else you risk poisoning yourself. The same compounds are in the leaves of cherry trees and are a significant cause of sickness and malaise in farm animals, particularly cattle.
References
- "Nutritional Sciences"; Michelle McGuire; 2007
- "Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Reference: Evidence-based Clinical Reviews"; Catherine E. Ulbricht et al; 2005
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffman; 2003
- "Textbook of Nutritional Medicine"; Melvyn Werbach and Jeffery Moss; 1999
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