Signs of cherries dangerous to health have been identified

Cherries often become the cause of food poisoning and allergic reactions, especially if purchased from individuals or in questionable places, warned toxicologist, candidate of medical sciences Mikhail Kutushov.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to Lenta.ru, he named the signs of dangerous berries that can harm health in his interview.

The first thing Kutushov recommended to pay attention to is the appearance of cherries. "Good cherries are firm, elastic, without dents, spots, cracks, or signs of rot. If there are dark spots on the berries or they feel sticky to the touch - it's better not to take them. Cherries do not ripen after being picked, so if they are unripe - green or sour - they will not become tasty," he said.

Suspiciously bright shine of the skin, especially if the cherries have come from far away, may indicate chemical treatment of the berries, the doctor added. In addition, he urged to pay attention to the smell of cherries: "If cherries have a sour or fermented smell - this is a sign of spoilage. Good berries have a light, fresh aroma."

Another recommendation from Kutushov is to pay attention to the stems. It's better to choose cherries with green and elastic stems - this is one of the signs of freshness, but if they are dry or black, it means the berry has been lying around for a long time, he explained. According to the doctor, you should not buy berries if you see many damaged fruits in the box, if juice is leaking, or if flies are flying around - this indicates a violation of sanitary storage conditions.

Kutushov also urged not to forget about seasonality. "If you see cherries for sale already at the end of spring, this may mean that they were grown in greenhouses using growth stimulants or came from countries with less stringent requirements for agricultural product safety," he warned. The doctor clarified that such berries often contain increased amounts of nitrates and pesticides that can cause serious digestive disorders and allergies.