Are Maraschino Cherries Bad For You?
You might have heard that maraschino cherries are bad for you, but are they really? The answer depends on the brand of maraschino you buy. Fresh cherries are naturally deep red and contain antioxidants that help prevent cell damage. However, maraschino cherries are bright red and contain artificial colorings. One such coloring is Red 40, which is linked to allergies and may have other side effects.
Unworthy maraschinos are bad for you
There’s no saving maraschinos. Although they’re considered one of the holiest of sweets, they’re actually not. Instead, they’re essentially jelly sucrose-filled cordials. Even chocolate doesn’t save them. That’s because chocolate makes everything better.
While maraschino cherries are a great way to add color to your desserts, they’re not particularly healthy. You’ll end up eating too many of them, which means you’ll be consuming a lot of sugar. A healthier choice would be to use fresh Bing cherries instead. They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. They’re also a lot less fattening. In addition, they contain only 97 calories per cup.
Unworthy maraschinos contain Red No. 4
In the mid-1960s, the FDA banned the use of Red No. 4, a food additive. This was followed by a ban in Europe. The United States, however, allowed its use in cosmetics and externally applied drugs. However, despite the ban, red No. 4 is still used in maraschino cherries. The cherries are still regarded as decorations, according to the US government.
Despite their name, maraschino cherries are actually just jelly sucrose-filled cordials. These red dyes do not make the cherries taste or look like cherries at all. Instead, amarena cherries undergo a different process that retains their dark colour and beautiful shape. Instead of being bad for you, amarena cherries are better for you.
If you want to know which maraschinos are bad for you, check their labels. They have to list the ingredients in the packing medium and their order of predominance. In addition, they must list any chemical preservatives, artificial flavoring, and artificial coloring. While these ingredients are not bad for you, they can cause adverse reactions such as migraines and inability to focus.
