The Nutritional Value of Dried Cherries
Dried cherries are not only a nutritious snack and a tasty ingredient for desserts, salads, granolas and meat courses. Famous for their many therapeutic properties, cherries have been used for a long time to cure various diseases and alleviate painful symptoms.
How are the fresh cherries dried? The method used is similar to the one employed for transforming grapes into raisins. During the drying process most of the water from the raw fruit is removed, and as a consequence the dried cherries have more calories than the same weight of fresh cherries. Some manufacturers are drying the cherries by boiling them in a certain chemical solution and afterwards rinsing them with cold water. Others prefer a more natural way, using an air-drying technique.
The best dried cherries are the organic ones, being prepared without additives, preservatives and sugar. They are usually vacuum packed for conserving their freshness. You can eat such cherries out of the pack or use them as a key component in many delicious recipes.
The recommended serving size of dried cherries is about 1/4 of a cup. This standard serving amount contains the following elements:
Carbohydrates – 32 grams
Dietary fiber – 1 gram
Protein – 1 gram
In total, 1/4 of a cup of dried cherries contains about 135 calories. For comparison, one full cup of raw fresh cherries contain 3 grams of fiber and only 90 calories.
Dried cherries are also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, potassium and beta-carotene. Thanks to these nutrients they are very effective in strengthening our immunity and protecting the cells from free radicals.
The dried tart cherries, aside from vitamins and fiber, are also rich in red anthocyanin pigments which have numerous benefits in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Researches have proven that the traditional use of cherries as a remedy against arthritis and gout is well grounded. Sour cherries also have positive results in the prevention of the metabolic syndrome, a common condition which precedes diabetes.
Include fresh or dried cherries in your daily snacks, in baking recipes, salads, cereals, yogurts and beverages. Their flavor will enrich your favorite courses, combining an appetizing taste with many health benefits. Plus, dried fruit is really easy to carry around – just put them in your pocket or purse and you’ll always have a delicious natural snack with you! If you start thinking about it, there are really many advantages combined in one little product – the dried cherry. It’s not often that tasty products are also good for our health, so let’s enjoy this wonderful gift of nature!
