Do cherries cause constipation?
In this brief guide, we will provide an answer to the question, “Do cherries cause constipation?”. We will further elaborate on the side effects of eating too many cherries along with the nutritional profile of cherries.
Do cherries cause constipation?
Yes, cherries can cause constipation. In spite of the high fiber content, excessive consumption of cherries can also, unexpectedly, lead to constipation in some people. It is, therefore, advised to not eat more than one cup of cherries per day.
How much fiber is in cherries?
One cup of sweet cherries with pits at approximately 138g contains 2.9 g of dietary fiber. The same quantity of tart cherries has somewhat less fiber. The recommended daily intake of fiber for an average adult is between 20 and 38 g of dietary fiber per day.
Consuming too many cherries, which is relatively easy to do as cherries are very tasty and is tough to control, can surpass the total recommended daily fiber intake and result in diarrhea.
What other nutrients are present in cherries?
As per the USDA, one cup of fresh cherries provides:
- Calories: 95
- Proteins: 1.6 grams
- Fats: 0.3 grams
- Carbs: 24 grams
- Sugar: 19.2 grams
- Calcium: 20 milligrams
- Iron: 0.5 milligrams
- Magnesium: 17 milligrams
- Potassium: 333 milligrams
- Vitamin C: 10.5 milligrams
The side effects of eating too many cherries
A number of side effects linked to the intake of tart and sweet cherries are due to overconsumption, food allergies, malabsorption problems, and are typically mild.
Consuming too many cherries is considered to mainly cause an upset stomach with symptoms such as bloating, burping, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Generally, diarrhea and constipation are the two most expected side effects caused by the consumption of cherries which is surprising since cherries are also used as a natural antidote for the cure of both diarrhea and constipation.
Why do cherries cause constipation?
Eating cherries results in constipation in some people. Normally, cherries do not cause constipation. Rather, cherries are considered a cure for constipation
Cherries are natural laxatives, credit goes to their high content of dietary fiber and, because of this, cherries help in promoting easy and normal bowel movements. Though rare, eating too many cherries can cause constipation.
How do cherries cause constipation?
The precise phenomenon of how cherries cause constipation hasn’t been well-understood yet. But, it is thought that too much consumption of the cherries, consuming cherries with pits or an underlying allergy or digestive illness can result in constipation.
Overeating cherries
An excess intake of cherries can cause diarrhea and constipation. Different individuals might experience different symptoms. Also, what comprises excess consumption differs for every individual.
Consuming cherries with pits
Though rare, some individuals and children, specifically, may consume cherries with pits. Since cherry pits aren’t easily digested, consuming them would affect digestion which could result in constipation. Excessive consumption of cherry pits can, in rare cases, result in intestinal obstruction.
Food intolerance and underlying illnesses
Underlying conditions, for example, IBS might be a reason for constipation (and also diarrhea) in reaction to particular trigger foods.
Cherries are a FODMAP, a kind of food having fermentable oligo, di, and monosaccharides along with polyols (for example sorbitol and mannitol) which can aggravate inflammatory bowel syndrome flare-ups which might clarify the occurrence of constipation.
Why do cherries cause nausea and vomiting?
Cherries have a high content of quercetin, an antioxidant that aids in fighting heart disease and cancer. In some individuals, an excessive amount of quercetin can lead to nausea and vomiting in people with insensitive guts.
Why do cherries cause stomach bloating, gas or flatulence?
Cherries have a high content of cellulose, a carbohydrate that helps in regulating bowel movements. The bacteria present in the human intestine feed upon cellulose, producing gas as a by-product.
Consuming too many cherries can activate excessive production of this gas which then results in intestinal bloating, flatulence and pain.
How do cherries cause diarrhea?
Consuming a lot of cherries results in increased consumption of dietary fiber. This results in sudden and faster bowel movements. Since the processing of bowel movements takes place quicker than normal, they are less developed and therefore watery or simply fluid.
But getting considerably extra fiber than your body demands daily, for example from overconsuming cherries, aggravates these effects and can cause loose stools and diarrhea and other related symptoms (aching cramps, urgent need for a bowel movement, bloating and gas).
Other FAQs about Cherry that you may be interested in.
Where does cherries come from?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have provided an answer to the question, “Do cherries cause constipation?”. We have further elaborated on the side effects of eating too many cherries along with the nutritional profile of cherries.
