Scientists expect that cherries will become one of the means of treating diabetes. The sugary substance, and the types of cakes made from this fruit, contain chemicals that can stimulate the secretion of insulin, which helps control blood sugar levels. According to scientists, these chemicals are called anthocyanins, which are found naturally in cherries, and they give them that bright red color, in addition to a number of other vegetables, fruits, and red roses. Anthocyanins are also found in red grapes , strawberries, raspberries, vegetables, wine, vinegar, and tea. However, the type that has the strongest effect on insulin remains the one found in cherries specifically. According to a scientific study , fruits that contain these chemicals can play a role in reducing the incidence of heart disease. This applies to diabetics, according to researchers at the University of Michigan, who isolated a group of anthocyanins from cherries and tested them on insulin-secreting pancreatic cells isolated from a rodent. The result was that the level of insulin secretion in these cells increased by 50 percent when anthocyanin was applied to them. It was also observed in one case that insulin secretion reached almost double when the most effective type of anthocyanin was applied. There is no doubt that this is an important point for helping diabetics, but more experiments are still required on animals and humans, in order to be approved and allowed to be included in the list of successful treatments for this disease that has become widespread among different ages and genders. Who knows, perhaps anthocyanin will become the cornerstone of a new treatment for diabetes in the future. Until then, cherries alone cannot be relied upon to control insulin problems. As long as anthocyanin does not have any toxic effect on the human body, there is no harm in eating cherries as part of a healthy diet .
Nutritional benefits
- A 2011 study found that cherries may reduce the risk of recurrent gout attacks and relieve symptoms.
- Insomnia: Cherries contain melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body’s biological clock. Therefore, eating cherries helps you sleep and get rid of insomnia.
- Blood pressure: Cherries contain potassium and quercetin, two elements that help lower high blood pressure.