Cherries are stone fruit that is commonly used in sweet dishes and in a variety of snacks. Their unique flavor can be found in practically any dessert you can think of. Plus, the health benefits are a lot too.
They include antioxidants that help prevent chronic illnesses. Also, essential vitamins and minerals are also there for the body to work normally. You must have also noted that you poop shortly after eating this fruit. Do cherries have something to do with it? So, Are cherries laxatives?
Yes, Cherries are natural laxatives that can improve bowel movement and give relief from many digestive problems.
Want to know why cherries make you poop, and can they cause Diarrhea? Then keep reading.
Table of Content
Are Cherries Laxatives? – Know the Fact
Before we discuss cherries as a laxative, let’s first look at how laxatives work.
Pharmaceutical laxatives contain chemicals that enhance stool motility and regulate feces.
So, is there anything like natural laxatives? There are many food-based laxatives that have fiber in them, which can benefit you in various ways. One of them is cherries.
Cherries are a natural laxative. Although some people may not react the same way to the laxative as others. Still, laxatives are present in the fruit.
Some dieticians often declare cherries better than stimulants. Stimulant laxatives cause your intestines to contract and push stools forward. Sorbitol, on the other hand, draws water into the gut to soften the stool and assist digestion and passage.
Sorbitol, the key ingredient in many laxative drugs, is found in cherries.
Sorbitol accounts for 90% of the sugar alcohol in cherries, with up to 3 grams of sorbitol per 100 grams of cherries.
Wondering, do cherries have fiber in them?
Yes, fiber is another reason why cherries are such great natural laxatives.
Cherry fiber is also a natural laxative that goes through the intestines undigested. This adds volume to feces and promotes regular bowel movements.
Many natural laxatives contain fiber, which is why they have laxative properties. Fiber can not be broken down by small intestine enzymes. Fiber binds to water, bulks, softens, and speeds up the transit of your stool. This helps with bowel movement and reduces the chances of constipation.
Now, let me tell you what happens if you make juice out of these cherries.
Is Cherry Juice a Laxative?
Yes, cherry juice works as a laxative. People often ask, does cherry juice help with constipation? Well, yes, drinking more cherry juice can help normalize bowel movements. Hence, it may help with constipation alleviation.
However, the cherry juice laxative effects might not be as effective as the raw fruit.
Moreover, there is no scientific evidence that cherry juice is good for the gut. So, go for raw fruit!
Are Dried Cherries Laxative?
Wondering, are dried cherries good for constipation?
Yes. Freeze-dried cherries are high in antioxidants which makes dried cherries good for constipation. These antioxidants (especially Anthocyanins) act as a laxative that softens the stool.
“Even a single serving of dried cherries can regulate your bowel movement and fast,” Dixon says. “Dried sour cherries have a moderate laxative effect, which aids digestion.
Moreover, dried cherries also include amygdalin. This compound relieves heart pain and aids in the treatment of stomach ailments.
Are Cherries Good for Constipation?
Do cherries cause constipation, or are they good for it?
Cherries help with constipation as they have high fiber and sorbitol content. Depending on the variety of cherry, 1.5 to 3 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber per cup.
The soluble fiber in cherries helps the body digest foods more slowly. The insoluble fiber adds weight to your stool. This aids in the efficient passage of waste through the body”.
Do Cherries Give You Diarrhea?
Are you thinking, can eating too many cherries give you Diarrhea? Yes, eating too many cherries can cause stomach issues such as Diarrhea. When you eat too many cherries at once, you risk developing gastrointestinal problems. The most common ones are gas, bloating, stomach problems, and Diarrhea.
All of these are side effects of cherries you will face if you eat too many of them. Fruits, particularly cherry, are high in dietary fiber. This fiber is derived from plant cell walls. It cannot be digested by the body, so it passes through the digestive system mostly undamaged.
Thus, fruit fiber can assist in improving digestive function and lowering cholesterol levels. However, eating too much fiber at once might cause gas, stomach pain, and Diarrhea in some people.
Moreover, Sorbitol can also cause gastrointestinal discomfort when consumed in excess.
Other Health Benefits of Cherries
The benefits of cherries are not limited to being laxative. You can enjoy a whole lot more health advantages if you make a habit of eating cherries twice or thrice a week.
These health benefits are:
Heart-healthy
Potassium and antioxidants present in the cherries protect the heart. Studies have found that potassium also reduces the chance of heart stroke. The antioxidants help in repairing the cell damage.
Moreover, the compounds in this fruit eliminate extra sodium in the body. This action stabilizes the blood pressure.
Prevents Cancer
The antioxidants, especially anthocyanins and catechins are present in considerable amounts. They reduce oxidative stress in the body and kill free radicals.
These two are the reasons why cells mutate uncontrollably and lead to cancer spread.
Helps to Better Sleep
Melatonin compound is present in Cherries that regulates sleeping patterns. A study was conducted in which a group of people was given tart cherry juice every night. It was found that everyone in the group slept for 84 minutes more on average.
FAQs
- Do Cherries Make You Poop Red?
Cherries can color your feces red, while blueberries will turn it a deep blue or even black color. You have to eat more than a handful of cherries every day to see a change in your feces color.
- How Many Cherries Should You Eat a Day?
You must consume a moderate amount of cherries each day. Approximately 25 sweet or 100 tart cherries are enough per day. Drinking a more concentrated juice is an easier method to get that many cherries.
- Do Cherries Bloat You?
Yes. The sugar in cherries can draw water into your digestive tract, producing bloating. When this happens, it changes the way the muscles in the intestinal wall contract. This can lead to constipation and even more belly bloat.
- Do All Cherries Have Sorbitol?
Yes, all kinds of cherries have sorbitol in them. Berries like strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries all have sorbitol in them. However, the quantity may vary from one cherry to another.
Final Verdict
So, are cherries laxatives? According to our research we have found cherries are termed natural laxatives as they soften the stool. Sorbitol and fiber are the primary reasons behind this benefit. Moreover, cherries also contain water, which regulates bowel movement as well.
But watch out for the quantity you are consuming. Excessive intake of cherries can also cause Diarrhea.
So, don’t eat more than 25 cherries a day if you only want to enjoy health benefits from this fruit.
