The deep colour of tart cherries is a clue to their health-promoting properties. They contain flavonoids called anthocyanins–naturally occurring pigment compounds that impart colour to fruit, vegetables, and plants. Flavonoids, which contain antioxidants, help to protect the plant from disease. Research has shown that these natural plant chemicals also help remove toxins from the body.
Antioxidants help neutralize the free-radical cellular damage that accumulates in the body through factors such as stress, pollution, and a poor diet. Free-radical damage can result in degenerative diseases such as cancer. Two of the most potent anticancer agents–the flavonoids isoquercitrin and queritrin–are found in tart red cherries.
Cherry juice is also thought to be effective in preventing heart disease. In addition to its antioxidants, tart red cherries are high in potassium, an important mineral for those with high blood pressure. The anthocyanins found in cherries may also protect artery walls from damage that leads to plaque buildup and heart disease. No wonder they are considered so healthy
Uploaded by Swami Stream on 8 Jun 09, 5.16PM IST.
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One more Cherry Shot at home early morning.
Cherry trees fall into one of three groups the sweet, the sour and the duke. Sour cherry trees do well in almost any situation, while sweet cherry trees may be better suited for richer soil that has good drainage.
Cherry trees on the average live for 25 to 30 years. There are hundreds of varieties of cherry trees, which randomly bloom from late March to the middle of May, each blooming only for aproximately one week.
Sweet cherries do not stand up to cooking well, but are excellant for eating fresh. Sour cherries are best for cooking and are wonderfull for many recipes. The cherry tree is of the rose family of plants.
Uploaded by Swami Stream on 7 Jun 09, 7.30PM IST.
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These Cherries are from Himachal Pradesh
Cherry growers in Himachal Pradesh, often called the country’s fruit bowl, are hoping for a bumper crop.
‘We are expecting a bumper cherry crop because of the favourable climatic conditions in the flowering season (March-April). Field reports indicate a good production,’ said S.P. Bhardwaj, joint director at the Solan-based Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry.
Himachal Pradesh produced 453 tonnes of cherry in 2008-09, though it was higher in 2007-08 - 698 tonnes.
The state horticulture department believes production will match that of two years ago. ‘This time, production is likely to cross the mark of 2007-08,’ horticulture research officer Daulat Ram said.
The fruit is also fast catching up as an alternative crop in apple-growing areas in the higher slopes of the Himalayas.
Uploaded by Swami Stream on 7 Jun 09, 10.45AM IST.
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Shot during sunrise, these cherries have some frost on them as I just removed them from the fridge to shoo them.
Recent studies confirm that tart cherries reduce inflammation and pain and offer protection against neurodegenerative diseases.
The benefits of tart cherries are found in fresh, frozen, canned or juice forms of cherries. High levels of anthocyanins are found in both tart and sweet cherries. In one study, women who ate two servings of Bing cherries daily experienced decreased markers of inflammation and reduced serum urate levels. However, tart cherries offer far more benefits than sweet cherries. Tart cherries are very rich sources of anthocyanins whereas sweet cherries have lower amounts.
Tart cherries include the Montmorency and Balaton varieties and are produced primarily in Michigan. In general, the darker the cherry color, the higher the anthocyanin content. The Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry dietary supplement is another rich source of tart cherry, containing 1200 mg/serving.
Read more: autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_benefits_o...
Uploaded by Swami Stream on 6 Jun 09, 8.12PM IST
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Did some Cherry shots yesterday early morning will post a few more I guess.
The word cherry refers to a fleshy fruit (drupe) that contains a single stony seed. The cherry belongs to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus, along with almonds, peaches, plums, apricots and bird cherries. The subgenus, Cerasus, is distinguished by having the flowers in small corymbs of several together (not singly, nor in racemes), and by having a smooth fruit with only a weak groove or none along one side. The subgenus is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with two species in America, three in Europe, and the remainder in Asia.
Uploaded by Swami Stream on 6 Jun 09, 9.54AM IST.
