Is it bad to drink water after eating cherries?

In summer, cherries are in high season, crunchy, with an intense red color and available at any market or greengrocer. Not only are they delicious, but they add the advantages of local and seasonal fruits: you can eat them when they are available at its best moment of flavor and nutritional content.

But the undeniable allure of cherries is at times marred by the resurgence of a popular mythaccording to which you must be careful not to drink water after eating them, under threat of suffering a indigestion or something worse.

It is not unusual that you have heard the warning from your grandparents, but does it make any sense?

Yeasts and bacteria on the shell

Nutrition experts have thoroughly investigated the myth and have explained its possible origin.

Its part of the reason may be that in the past the drinking water was not perfectly sanitized and the microorganisms it carried could interact with the yeasts and bacteria present on the skin of the cherries, giving rise to a fermentation that caused the stomach ache.

As drinking water is currently of very good quality, the warning can be considered as overridden. Yes indeed, cherries must be thoroughly washed before eating to remove possible germs and traces of dirt. And you can calmly drink a glass of fresh water after ingestion.

Another possible explanation is that cherries are so addictive that some people may eat disproportionate amounts and if they drink water afterwards, the gastric juices are diluted and digestion can be complicated. A reasonable amount of cherries is between 10 and 20.

Properties of cherries

The cherries provide energy, thanks to their carbohydratesalong with vitamins and organic acids, such as ellagic, with anti-inflammatory properties.

Highlights his contribution to potassium (210mg/100g), vitamin C (15mg/100g), beta carotene or provitamin A and vitamins B1 and B6.

The cherry is the richest food in melatonina hormone secreted at night that is involved in the regulation of sleep and body temperature.

Some experts consider melatonin to be the most effective anti aging given its antioxidant power. Curiously, cherry juice is 10 times richer in melatonin than the whole fruit.

A glass of juice provides, in addition to melatonin, 17 antioxidant substances, sugars, vitamins and minerals.

The red of cherries is responsible for some of its many healthy effects, since is due to anthocyanins, flavonoids with high antioxidant power which are found in cherries in greater proportion than in any other fruit.

anthocyanins protect the arteries from the accumulation of fats and prevent degenerative diseases and also cancerespecially the colon.

But cherries enjoy prestige above all as cleansing food, since it has been known for centuries that They help eliminate uric acid. Many studies confirm the efficacy of cherry-based treatment in patients with inflamed and deformed joints due to excess uric acid.

For his rich in fiber and potassium (210 mg per 100 g) favor people with constipation or tendency to retain fluids.

These same diuretic and laxative virtues They also prevent stone formation. renal and biliary, and justify their use in detox and slimming cures.

In the latter, the purifying capacity of the cherries is added to its low calories (59 per 100 g) and also the satiating effect of fiber.

Cherries also provide iron (0.4 mg/100 g) and its sugar, levulose, converts them into diabetic friendly.

Cherries are also attributed a analgesic effectalthough it seems that some people need to consume them regularly for weeks to notice it.

HOW TO ENJOY THEM

Being a fruit of short season, which runs from May to Julycherries are worth enjoying without delay.

The sweetest ones can be eaten as fruit because lose much of their flavor if cooked.

The neutral are ideal for making cakes, mousses and sorbets.

And the varieties more acidicsuch as cherries, are the most suitable for preparing sauces and for the preparation of preserves and jams.

cherry turns out especially tasty combined with chocolate.