What are big cherries? They are not the small cherries we usually eat. Their appearance is much larger and more vibrant than that of small cherries. Moreover, their nutritional value is exceptionally rich, holding the same status in dietary therapy.
Big cherries are the earliest-ripening fruit tree species among deciduous fruit trees in northern China, following small cherries. Therefore, they have long enjoyed the reputation of being the "first branch of spring fruits." They play a special role in regulating the off-season for fresh fruits, ensuring a balanced annual supply, and meeting the needs of people's lives. Big cherries are not only colorful but also have a refreshing sweetness. The fruit contains abundant nutrients and has high nutritional value for the human body.
Big cherries have a high iron content, 20-30 times higher than that of apples. Iron is a raw material for synthesizing human hemoglobin and myoglobin, and plays a crucial role in processes such as human immunity, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism. Big cherries also contain melatonin, thus providing a dual anti-aging effect, making them a truly "delicious and beautiful" fruit.
Big cherries are rich in protein, vitamins A, B, and C, as well as minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron, and multiple vitamins. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Their vitamin A content is 4 times higher than that of grapes, and their vitamin C content is even higher.
The latest research has found that cherries also contain anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and red pigments, all of which have significant medicinal value. Their effective antioxidants have a stronger anti-aging effect than vitamin E, can promote blood circulation, help in the excretion of uric acid, and can alleviate discomfort caused by gout and arthritis. Their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects are considered to be better than those of aspirin. Therefore, doctors recommend that patients with gout and arthritis can eat some big cherries daily.
Big cherries also have medicinal value. Their roots, branches, leaves, pits, and fresh fruit can all be used as medicine to treat various diseases, especially for promoting the regeneration of hemoglobin, which is beneficial for patients with anemia. Li Shizhen, a pharmacologist of the Ming Dynasty, recorded in his "Compendium of Materia Medica" that cherries have multiple medicinal effects, such as replenishing qi, expelling wind and dampness, promoting rash eruption, and detoxification.