Do Cherries Make You Poop? – Cherries and Your Digestive System

Cherries are a popular summer fruit. With many different varieties—including sweet and tart options—many people love snacking on these tasty red treats. However, if you’ve ever been a bit too excited about cherries and maybe ate a few more than you should have, you may be wondering: “do cherries make you poop?” Today, we’re going to help you learn more about how eating cherries may impact your body and digestive system.

Do cherries give you diarrhea?

So, are cherries a laxative? Can they make you poop or give you diarrhea? Cherries do act as a laxative for some individuals, while others can eat them without issue.

Cherries are not the only fruit with laxative properties. Some trees have evolved to produce fruit that will cause animals, such as birds, to quickly excrete the seeds after eating the fruit. Seeds that are passed more quickly through a bird’s digestive system are more likely to grow into a new tree than seeds that take over 30 minutes to pass through their system. Thus, by formulating their fruit in such a way that ensures quick passage through an animal’s digestive system, trees are helping ensure that more seeds will germinate and later grow into mature trees.

What happens when you eat too many cherries?

So, what happens when you eat too many cherries? Every person is different. Some people can eat large quantities of cherries without any adverse effects, while others seem to be more sensitive to the laxative properties described above.

Eating foods in moderation is age-old advice that holds true when enjoying cherries. The recommended serving size for cherries is about 1 cup. If you’re more sensitive to cherries, eating too many cherries could cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, or cramps.

Why do cherries make you poop?

So, why do cherries make you poop?

Not everyone will poop from eating cherries, even if they consume more than the recommended serving. However, those who do poop shortly after eating cherries may be more sensitive to fiber. Cherries are high in fiber. Our bodies are not able to digest fiber, causing it to move through our digestive system without being broken down. For some, this can cause the symptoms described above, such as diarrhea or gas.

Another reason that cherries can make you poop is because they contain sorbitol. Sorbitol is a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol. When consumed in moderation, it shouldn’t cause any ill effects, but if you eat too many cherries it could lead to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. Some other fruits that have natural sorbitol include strawberries, raspberries, apricots, plums, and peaches.

Some people have sorbitol intolerance. When these individuals eat foods with sorbitol, the sorbitol from the food is pulled into the large intestine. Here, bacteria break down the sorbitol, which can cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, and other gastrointestinal problems.

Can you be allergic to cherries?

It is also possible to be allergic to cherries. A cherry allergy could also lead to gastrointestinal issues, like diarrhea or gas. In many cases, those allergic to cherries are also allergic to other fruits like pears, apples, kiwis, and apricots. An allergy to these types of fruits, among others, is called Oral Allergy Syndrome. Also referred to as Pollen Food Syndrome, this condition can cause different reactions, most often around an individual’s mouth or on their face.

If you suspect you have a cherry allergy, schedule an appointment with an allergist. They can perform a blood test or a skin test to learn more about whether you’re allergic or how severe your allergy is.

If it turns out that you are allergic to cherries, the best course of action is to avoid eating cherries or any foods that contain cherries. In some cases, individuals who are allergic to cherries can experience anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can make it difficult to breathe, cause the throat or face to swell, increase the heart rate, causing vomiting or nausea, and more. It is not something that you’ll want to mess around with.

Do cherries change your stool color?

You probably already know that some foods can change the color of your stool. Some people wonder whether cherries can change their poop color and ask questions such as:

• Do cherries make you poop green?
• Do cherries make you poop red?
• Do cherries make you poop black?

Cherries may change the color of your stool. They are most likely to turn it red, though green or black stools are also possible if you eat too many cherries.

Enjoy Cherries in Moderation

As with any other foods, it is best to enjoy cherries in moderation. Many individuals should be able to eat cherries without issues, but if you are someone who is more sensitive to the laxative properties that cherries hold or has a sorbitol intolerance, you may find that your body reacts differently to this fruit. Always listen to your body, and if it doesn’t seem to tolerate cherries well or can only handle you eating a few at a time, don’t push it. And, of course, if you think you’re allergic to cherries, talk to your doctor before eating them again.

Check out these related posts on our blog:

• Undigested Food In Stool
• Is Mango Good for Acid Reflux
• Eating Lemon Seeds

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