Cherries are very popular in the dessert industry and are used in the preparation of different types of desserts. There are different types of cherries that one can find in the market. Though most of them might look the same, they differ a lot in terms of their nutritional value and taste. One such controversial variety of cherry is called maraschino cherry. Maraschino cherries are not healthy, and most nutritionists suggest not eating them.
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This is because the variety of these cherries that are available in the market is highly processed and artificially sweetened. These cherries go through the process of preservation before being sold in the market. Typically they're made from other light-coloured sweet cherries such as Rainier and Royal Ann. Because of the high sugar content, most people must avoid it at any cost. Here are the top reasons why maraschino cherries shouldn't be controlled by anyone.
* Artificial Colours
As maraschino cherry goes through the process of preservation, a lot of artificial colours are added to give it a striking appearance. These artificial colours lead to a reduction in the levels of antioxidants that are naturally present in cherries. The nutritional value of cherries is highly impacted due to the use of these artificial colours. Other than the reduction in nutritional value, artificial colours are not safe for human ingestion and can lead to allergy-like problems or symptoms in a lot of people. Many people end up buying these cherries, thinking that the bright red colour is natural, whereas it is artificially induced.
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* High Amount Of Sugar
The level of sugar in these cherries is almost twice that of normal cherries. As per Wikipedia, maraschino cherries have been sold since the 1940s by being infused with sugar syrup and high oil. and normal maraschino. Cherry contains 2 g of sugar, which is almost double the natural sugar found in sweet cherries. People end up eating these cherries in huge numbers. The higher amount of sugar present in these cherries can pose a serious threat to the health of the person eating them.
* High Calories
Maraschino cherries also have a higher amount of calories because they are highly processed. These cherries have a lot of unhealthy vegetable oil and sugar that makes it bad for one's health. Also, before being sold in the market, they are dipped in high fructose corn syrup. Such high levels of sugar and calories in the studies can lead to a lot of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart-related problems. Young children shouldn't be given these cherries as they might become addicted to the high level of sweetness present in these cherries.
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* Low Nutrients
Typically, looking at the nutritional profile of maraschino cherries, one can easily understand that these cherries do not have any amount of nutrients. The high level of sugar present in these cherries can kill the antioxidants that are naturally found in cherries. All of the antioxidants, vitamins, potassium, and calcium that are naturally found in cherries are highly reduced upon being processed and during the process of turning them into maraschino cherries.
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* May Cause Allergies
The high levels of chemicals, sugar, vegetable oil, and other substances that are used to make maraschino cherries may make them highly susceptible to allergies among people. Red dye is the most common type of dye that is used to prepare these cherries. As per the National Institutes Of Health, Red Dye can lead to problems such as cancer. Additionally, as per the Cleveland Clinic, it may even cause hyperactivity and ADHD among young children. On top of it, it contains more than normal levels of sugar that are already quite alarming for children as well as adults. All of these toxic ingredients may lead to different types of allergies among people. Some people are sensitive to food dyes and do not get diagnosed. However, consuming food that is highly ingested with food dyes can lead to the creation of unwanted health conditions.
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* Low Antioxidants
Cherries are naturally bestowed with different types of antioxidants. As per the National Institutes of Health, cherries contain liposulable, hydrosoluble vitamins, and also beta-carotene, all of which are extremely beneficial for the health of human beings. These antioxidants help in fighting against free radicals in the body and also protect against inflammation. The natural health benefits of cherries get lost during the process of bleaching and sugarcoating them. A better way to enjoy the optimum health benefits of cherries is by eating them in their natural form.