Cherries may be one of the popular fruits there. Apart from being beautiful and attractive, they are also delicious and nutritious. They also have numerous properties that make them good for health. Many of us like juicy red cherries in summer. But, are cherries acidic and healthy as well?
All types of cherries are acidic because the pH of cherries, red, water pack is between 3.25 – 3.82. The pH of cherry juice is around 3.19, which is also acidic. So, people suffering from acid reflux or GERD should avoid eating cherries and drinking cherry juice.
Apart from being acidic, cherries have a lot of positive health impacts. The article will reveal everything one needs to know about the acidic nature of cherries and how to add them in a daily diet.
Table of Content
Why are Cherries Acidic?
The food items that have low pH are generally acidic. These food items can have many adverse effects on the human body. The serious issue caused by adding acidic food in your diet is gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux.
pH of Cherries
| Type of Cherries | pH Values |
|---|---|
| Cherries, California | 4.01-4.54 |
| Cherries, red, water pack | 3.25-3.82 |
| Cherries, Royal Ann | 3.80-3.83 |
It is the clinical condition that is because of the fact that the acidic contents of the stomach comes back into the esophagus. It usually occurs when you eat a lot of acidic food items.
Cherries are acidic because tart or sour cherries can cause acid reflux when you eat them in large quantities. Also, because of their low PH, cherries fall under the category of acidic food.
So, most people ask, are cherries bad for heartburn? Yes, they can cause heartburn in certain individuals.
However, cherries also have a lot of health benefits. It is a wonderful source of essential nutrients and antioxidants. These compounds can be beneficial to the human body in different ways.
Are Cherries Good for You? Benefits & Side Effects!
Although cherries are acidic, they are good for your health. Cherries contain a lot of nutrients such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins, and fiber. All of these compounds can help support a healthy body and reduce the risk of certain diseases.
Even though there are numerous different types of cherries, they are divided into categories; sweet and sour. Typically, sweet cherries are common. This is the type of cherries people munch on in summers. You may garnish your cocktails with different types of Cherries.
But, are cherries healthy for you? Yes, they are! Cherries are packed with antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins, nutrients, and fiber. All of these can help support the normal body functioning. These beautiful red cherries and can also reduce the risk of certain diseases.
Sour cherries are very popular for cooking delicious desserts. They are also used in manufacturing classic cherry syrups that are used in medicines. These cherries are acidic and can have adverse effects on the human body.
There are a lot of different ways to enjoy cherries. Here are some great health benefits and a few disadvantages of eating too many cherries.
Benefits
Cherries are very famous as a delicious superfood. They are packed with a lot of healthy nutrients. It is not only good for overall health but also healthy skin. Here are the 10 amazing health benefits of cherry fruit.
- Cherries contain antioxidants. These compounds prevent the damaging reactions of free radicals in our body.
- Cherries contain chemicals that help fight inflammation, hence they have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cherries have phytochemicals that can lower the risk of cancer and can fight many diseases.
- Cherries contain flavonoids that prevent neurons from dying, prevent brain damage and improve memory.
- Eating cherries can help you replenish the lost electrolytes after an exercise.
- Cherries can prevent your muscles from damaging stimuli, hence they are a good pre-workout snack.
- Cherries are rich in dietary fiber and they help in weight loss. They also have the ability to curb your cravings.
- Cherries contain melatonin. This hormone can help regulate your sleep.
- Cherries are rich in potassium which is essential for a healthy heart.
- This wonderful fruit is packed with vitamins A, B, C, and E which are great for skin health and they can help with skin rejuvenation.
All these properties can make cherries a healthy and tasty food. So, it is very beneficial to munch on these delicious cherries.
Side Effects
No doubt, cherries are very healthy with wonderful health benefits. Even then, they have some adverse effects seen in certain individuals. Following are the side effects of eating too many cherries.
- Eating sour cherries in large quantities can cause many problems such as acid reflux.
- Sweet cherries are not good to eat in certain diabetic individuals.
- Cherries can also cause digestive problems including diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
However, cherries have many more advantages and fewer side effects. So, it is important to consume cherries in moderation.
Are Cherries Good for Diabetics?
Cherries are popular fruits that are good for everyone including diabetics. They contain a lot of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. People with diabetes can benefit from antioxidants like polyphenols and carotenoids in cherries.
They also contain a good quantity of tryptophan and serotonin. These chemicals can make a diabetic person feel good. Cherries are mainly beneficial for type 2 diabetes.
Sweet cherries have a glycemic index of 60 to 65. Tart or sour cherries have a glycemic index of 20 to 25. Generally, foods with a glycemic index below 55 are considered safe for diabetics.
So, tart cherries certainly look better. But you don’t need to ignore sweet cherries, simply because of their higher glycemic index.
So, if you are having acid reflux along with type 2 diabetes, avoid tart cherries and add a moderate amount of sweet cherries to your diet.
Are Cherries Healthy for Weight Loss?
Are cherries fattening? yes, they might be! The thing is a 1 cup serving of sweet cherries can provide 90 calories and 3 grams of fiber. So, cherries are not fattening in moderate quantities.
Also, cherries contain anthocyanins, bioactive compounds that provide antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer,and cardiovascular properties. All these properties are helpful for weight loss.
So, if you are looking for the perfect food to lose weight effectively, don’t forget to add cherries into your daily diet. It is low in calories and rich in Vitamins that are known to boost the body’s metabolism.
Also, containing moderate levels of water, this colored fruit can flush out toxins from your body. Hence, it can also reduce bloating and inflammation and is good for weight loss.
Is it Good to Eat Cherries Before Bed?
According to studies, cherries are one of the few foods that are a natural source of a chemical called melatonin. These chemicals have the ability to control the body’s internal clock. They regulate the sleep cycle of our body.
Research indicates that you should eat cherries or drink some cherry juice a few hours before bed. However, it is only beneficial for those who are not having any stomach problems.
If you are suffering from heartburn or acid reflux, it is good to consume cherries or drink cherry juice in the morning.
FAQs
How many cherries should I eat a day?
Eating either sweet or sourcherries may help your body in performing better functions. You need to eat at least 25 sweet cherries to get their positive effects. If you’re diabetic, you should be careful to consume cherries in moderation.
Are cherries acidic or alkaline?
Cherries are acidic because their PH is low. Mostly, the sweet cherries are less acidic as compared to sour cherries. So, people with stomach problems should not consume sour cherries.
Are Cherries Ok for acid reflux?
If you are having a stomach problem or acid reflux, eating cherries can be bad for you. Eating a lot of sour cherries with acid reflux can further worsen the condition. So, it is better not to eat cherries if you have an acid reflux problem.
Bottom Line
Are cherries acidic? Yes, they are acidic. They have PH equal to most acidic foods. However, cherries also have many health benefits. They of vitamins and minerals that are important for the human body to perform its major rasks. But if you are suffering from gastric ulcers or any other stomach problem, it is important to consume cherries in moderation.
