Cherries and chocolate are two of the most loved foods around the world – but, how do they fare together? The answer is a resounding yes! In this blog, we will be discussing the nutrition values for both cherries and chocolates, as well as talking about an outstanding dish that you can make using a combination of the two.
Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars:
Ingredients:
- Butter that has not been salted
- Brown sugar (light)
- Egg
- Extract of vanilla
- Flour (all-purpose)
- Salt
- Chocolate chips that are semi-sweet
- Cherries
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Set aside an 8-by-8-inch pan lined with aluminum foil and sprayed using cooking spray.
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe, medium bowl for a minute.
- Add the brown sugar to your melted butter, and swirl to incorporate
- Stir in the egg and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour and salt until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix the blondies or they will become tough.
- Pour batter in the prepared pan, and use an offset knife or a spatula to smoothen it, if needed, then fold in chocolate chips and fruit (I don’t halve the cherries because I like them chunky and huge).
- Bake for approximately half an hour, or until the edges of the cake start pulling away from the pan’s sides and the center is set.
- Let the preparation cool for a minimum of 60 minutes before you slice and serve.
Cherries Have The Following Nutritional Value:
One cup of fresh cherries includes the following nutrients, according to the USDA:
95 calories
1.6g of protein (g)
0.3g fat
24 g carbohydrate
3.2 g fiber
19.2g sugar
20 milligrams calcium (mg)
0.5mg iron
Magnesium: 17 milligrams
333mg potassium
10.5mg vitamin C (making them a good source)
Health Benefits of Cherries:
Cherries have been shown to provide a number of health benefits in studies.
Gout
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine released a comprehensive evaluation of six research in December 2019.
The study found that people who ate cherries did not have as many flare-ups of gout as those who didn’t consume the fruit. Uric acid, a waste by-product of your metabolism associated with gout and kidney stones, has been discovered to be reduced by cherries in our blood. They may also help to reduce inflammation, which may reduce the likelihood of future episodes.
Sleep
Melatonin, is a hormone that is released by the body in preparation for sleep, is found in tart cherries. In the ‘European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a randomized controlled experiment was published. A study of 20 adults found that those who ingested tart cherry juice concentrate for one week had higher melatonin levels and reported more sleep and better sleep quality than those who received a placebo.
A more recent randomized controlled trial, published in the American Journal of Therapeutics in March 2018, found that Adults over 50 with insomnia who drank 8 ounces of sour cherry juice twice daily for two weeks slept for an additional 84 minutes than the placebo group, according to the study. More research is needed because this study was so tiny (only eight persons participated).
Reduced Possibility of disease
In March 2018, the journal Nutrients published a review of 29 human research.
Overall, the data suggests that cherries can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation (two variables that increase the risk of disease), minimize muscle soreness after strenuous activity, and assist lower blood pressure.
Dark Chocolate’s Nutritional Value:
A 101-g bar of dark chocolate with 70–85 percent cocoa solids, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, provides:
604 calories
Protein content: 7.87 g
Fat (43.06 g)
Carbohydrates: 46.36 g
Dietary fiber: 11.00 g
Sugar (24.23 g)
Iron 12.02 milligrams (mg)
Magnesium (230.00 mg)
Zinc (3.34 mg)
Nutritional Facts Comparison: Cherries and Chocolates
Dark Chocolate Advantages:
Dark Chocolate Can Assist in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
For a long time, small-scale research has suggested that frequent use of cocoa is capable of preventing cardiovascular disease. A bigger study involving 470 men, all evaluated while ingesting varying cocoa doses on a daily basis, demonstrated this in a more recent study on cocoa’s cardiovascular benefits, conducted in 2006. The researchers came to the conclusion that cocoa is indeed capable of reducing the likelihood and severity of the cardiovascular disease.
These observational studies do not indicate that chocolate presents these advantages. The constant and repeated favorable results in cocoa research, on the other hand, suggest that chocolate has benefits our cardiovascular systems. Chocolate has such a significant effect on a wide variety of human systems that certain authorities are compelled to consider it a kind of health drug.
Dark Chocolate Can Assist in the Prevention of Depression
Theobromine is a major ingredient in dark chocolates. Caffeine, theobromine’s sister molecule, has a structurally comparable structure to theobromine. When ingested in significant amounts, theobromine can lower blood pressure, increase excitability, and provide energy. A crash usually follows the energy, prompting some opponents to label chocolate a potentially deadly addictive substance.
Anandamide is another molecule present in chocolate. THC and anandamide are structurally similar, although anandamide is not nearly as effective. In spite of this, anandamide is capable of increasing energy and mood without the risks of cardiovascular issues or addiction associated with other stimulants.
Phenethylamine, a substance that is processed into serotonin in our bodies, is another mood-boosting ingredient found in chocolate. An essential mood-regulating molecule produced by your body is serotonin. If you’re lacking in serotonin, taking chocolates containing phenethylamine can certainly help regulate your serotonin levels.
Dark Chocolate Can Help You Avoid Diabetic Struggles
Endothelial function and insulin resistance have both been found to be improved by chocolate. Insulin resistance can indicate whether a person might develop diabetes in the future. The endothelium plays a key role in ensuring arterial health. Cocoa, along with its flavonoids, can help to alter these systems in a good way.
Obviously, if you want to avoid diabetes, you should consume dark chocolate that is low in sugar.
Final Word:
We hope that this blog helped you learn more about how chocolates and cherries can benefit your health, as well as how you can combine these two super-foods to benefit both your taste buds and your bodies.
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