Can diabetics eat cherries? The nutritional value is so high

Cherries have extremely high nutritional value. They can regulate the body and replenish qi. Eating more of them can beautify the complexion and improve temperament. Studies have found that diabetics can also eat cherries, but they should not eat cherries: every 100 grams of cherries contains 258 mg of potassium, which is not a small number for patients with kidney disease.

1. Nutritional value of cherries:

Cherries have high medicinal value. If the human body lacks the above elements, corresponding symptoms will appear. For example, iron deficiency will cause anemia, vitamin A deficiency will cause dry skin, and vitamin C deficiency will cause bleeding gums. The medicinal value of cherries is widely recorded in traditional Chinese medicine: "Cherries are sweet, mild and astringent, can regulate the middle and replenish qi, and eating more can beautify the complexion and improve the temperament." It also has the effects of "treating human body deficiency, replenishing vital energy, and moisturizing the skin."

Cherry roots, leaves, branches, fruits and cores can all be used as medicine. The fruit is warm in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of regulating the spleen, regulating qi and activating blood circulation, calming the liver and removing heat; the seed is flat in nature, bitter and pungent in taste, and has the effect of clearing rash and detoxifying; cherries also have the effect of promoting hemoglobin regeneration, and have certain benefits for patients with anemia. Therefore, traditional Chinese medical books of all dynasties have listed cherries as top-grade medicines. There are many prescriptions for using cherries to treat diseases: in ancient times, cherries were put into jars, sealed to isolate them from the air, buried underground, and taken out after a year, when they turned into juice. When measles is prevalent, giving the juice to children to drink can prevent infection.

It has been determined that the sugar content of cherries is 9.9 grams per 100 grams, and its glycemic index is 22. The main effects of cherries: lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, and protecting the stomach and intestines. Cherries are rich in anthocyanin, which can effectively reduce the sugar content in the body of diabetic patients.

This sweet and sour fruit contains a chemical that increases insulin secretion. This chemical, called anthocyanin, occurs naturally in cherries and is what gives them their bright red color. Anthocyanins are the coloring mechanism for other bright red, blue, and purple fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Eating fruits containing this chemical can reduce the incidence of heart disease.

2. Research on the prevention and treatment of diabetes by cherry:

1. At the Experimental Biology Conference held in San Diego, Canada, it was stated that eating more sour cherries may help prevent heart disease and diabetes. The study's animal experiments on mice showed that sour cherry powder can reduce inflammation, body fat, weight gain, and lower blood cholesterol levels in mice.

2. Researchers at the University of Michigan recently extracted anthocyanins from cherries and removed insulin-producing pancreatic cells from rodents to test the effects of anthocyanins on these cells. After exposure to anthocyanins, the cells' insulin production increased by half. In one case, exposure to the most active anthocyanin nearly doubled insulin production.

During the study, researchers at the Michigan Heart and Vascular Center mixed whole tart cherry powder into high-fat foods. During the study, the researchers found that mice that consumed a diet containing cherry powder gained less weight than those that consumed a diet without cherry powder, had significantly less inflammation that can lead to heart disease and diabetes, and had lower cholesterol levels than control mice.

The results are promising, but animal and human trials are needed before they can be recommended for diabetes treatment. Anthocyanins are not only found in cherries, but also in red grapes, strawberries, blueberries, vegetables, wine, cider, and tea. But the strongest insulin-boosting effect comes from the anthocyanins in cherries.

It should be noted that patients with diabetic nephropathy should not eat cherries: cherries contain 258 mg of potassium per 100 grams, which is not a small number for patients with kidney disease. If a patient with kidney disease loses the ability to regulate water and electrolytes, the patient will experience oliguria and edema. When oliguria occurs, potassium retention may occur due to reduced potassium excretion. If the patient consumes too many cherries, he or she will develop hyperkalemia, which may even be life-threatening in severe cases. After reading the above introduction, now you know that diabetics can eat cherries, but you must pay attention to the amount you eat. Eating too much may cause iron poisoning.