Eating Cherries during Pregnancy – Benefits, Recipes & Precautions

Pregnant women are often advised to consume a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Among the fruits that are highly recommended during pregnancy are cherries, which are an excellent source of Vitamin C. However, the fruit may not be safe for every pregnant woman to consume, as some might develop allergies towards it or risk increasing blood sugar levels. Women who are allergic to cherries should not consume this fruit even during pregnancy. In case you are not allergic to the fruit, you should still know its benefits and side effects to avoid or treat any medical issues caused by eating cherries. Read on to learn all about eating cherries during pregnancy.

Is It Safe to Eat Cherries During Pregnancy?

Cherries are safe to consume during pregnancy if you are not allergic to them. They are decent sources of Vitamin C and other nutrients that boost immunity in pregnant women. However, ensure you pit them before eating them, as swallowing too many seeds could be dangerous. Swallowing a seed or two as a whole has no harmful effects, as they are eliminated from the digestive tract.

P.S.: Eating cherries in moderation during pregnancy is the key.

Nutrients in Cherries

As mentioned earlier, cherries are a decent source of Vitamin C, other vitamins, minerals, iron, folic acid, and antioxidants, making them a great snack option during pregnancy (1). The fruit also has some more nutrients that are deemed healthy and essential for pregnant women and the foetus growing in their wombs. Here’s a summary of the essential nutrients present in 100 grams of cherries:

Source: USDA (2)

Now that you know that cherries are safe to eat during pregnancy and also how nutritious they are, here are some health benefits you’d gain if you eat a decent source of Vitamin C. The fruit also has some more nutrients that are deemed healthy and essential for pregnant women and the foetus growing in their wombs. Here’s a summary of the essential nutrients present in 100 grams of cherries during pregnancy.

Benefits of Eating Cherries During Pregnancy

Cherries are a rich source of nutrients. Listed below are some of the benefits of eating cherries during pregnancy (3) (4):

1. The sweet and sour taste of cherries helps in combating common nausea during pregnancy.
2. The melatonin present in cherries relaxes the nerves and helps prevent anxiety in pregnant women, thus promoting sound sleep.
3. The anthocyanins in cherries protect the neural cells and improve the brain health of the foetus (5). They also help cure migraine headaches in pregnant women, which are caused by fluctuations in the estrogen level (6).
4. It is a great fruit to eat during pregnancy because it helps improve blood flow to the placenta, which provides nutrition and oxygen to the baby.
5. Since they are loaded with healthy minerals, vitamins, enzymes, folic acid, etc., cherries help keep ailments at bay during pregnancy by boosting your immunity.
6. The antioxidants and Vitamin C present in cherries prevent inflammation and infections, which are common during pregnancy (7).
7. Cherries are juicy and have high water content. Therefore, they can help prevent dehydration.
8. The potassium in cherries boosts energy, thereby avoiding fatigue in pregnant women. It also helps control blood pressure levels, which can prove fatal to the foetus and the mother.
9. Cherries contain fibre, which helps in preventing constipation and eases bowel movement (8).
10. Cherries, when eaten dried, help cure diarrhoea.
11. Cherries are also a rich source of iron. Consuming a healthy amount of cherries can help treat anaemia during pregnancy.
12. Most pregnant women suffer from oedema (fluid retention), which can be prevented by including cherries in the daily diet.
13. Cherries can reduce soreness and pain after exercise. Their high phenolic compound content is linked to reduced inflammation (9).

Please note that for any of these benefits, extremely large amounts of cherries need to be consumed, which is not advised. Besides, there are not many studies on the subject.

After knowing how cherries can be beneficial to you during pregnancy, you are probably wondering how you can consume them. Well, you can snack on cherries in moderation after washing them thoroughly. You can also try including them in smoothies and shakes and enjoy. Let’s check some healthy recipes for cherries during pregnancy.

Cherry Recipes You Can Enjoy During Pregnancy

Disclaimer: Ripe cherries are sweeter in nature with a high concentration of natural sugar. Excess consumption of this fruit is likely to raise blood sugar levels, so it is advisable for pregnant women in general and with gestational diabetes to have this fruit in limited quantities.

Cherries can be paired and relished with various other foods. Here are a few cherry recipes that you can enjoy during pregnancy:

1. Cherry Lassi

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of yoghurt (preferably low-fat)
• 1 cup fresh deseeded cherries (8-10)
• Sugar or honey (as per taste)
• A pinch of salt

Direction:

• Add pitted cherries to a blender and make a paste.
• Now add yoghurt to the cherry mixture along with other ingredients. Blend everything in a blender.
• Pour it into a glass and garnish with some chopped cherries.

2. Cherry Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 6-7 fresh cherries
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• Some cold water
• Sugar/honey (as per taste)
• Lemon wedges and mint leaves (for garnishing)

Direction:

• Wash the cherries thoroughly and pit them.
• Blend the cherries with some lemon juice and water.
• Strain the liquid.
• Add sugar/honey and some more water to the mixture.
• Pour it into glasses and garnish it with lemon wedges and mint leaves.
• You can also muddle some mint leaves and add them to the drink.

So, these are a few ways you can include cherries into your pregnancy diet. But, because this period is critical health-wise, your body may or may not respond well to the fruit. It is, therefore, better that you are aware of the possible side effects cherries could have on you during pregnancy and the precautions you should take.

Side Effects of Eating Cherries During Pregnancy

Cherries are packed with nutrients. However, some pregnant ladies might experience side effects after consuming them.

• Although cherries are said to be anti-inflammatory, they may trigger an allergic reaction in some women during pregnancy, like oral allergy syndrome (10).
• Consuming too many cherries is not advised, even if you are not allergic to cherries.
• Eating too many cherries may cause bloating, gas and stomach aches. Therefore, it is advised to consume cherries in moderation.
• The sweeter varieties of cherries have a higher concentration of natural sugar. Too much of the fruit is likely to raise the blood sugar level. So, it is advisable for women with gestational diabetes to have this fruit in limited quantities.
• Eating large quantities of dried, sweetened cherries or maraschino cherries can cause excess weight gain in pregnant women. Therefore, watch your portion and avoid eating too many of them or don’t eat them at all.

Precautions to Take While Consuming Cherries

Here are some of the precautions that you need to take before eating cherries. These precautions must be taken by everyone who wants to eat cherries.

• Remember to wash the cherries well before eating them, as they may cause infections and pose health issues.
• Always eat pitted cherries because the pit contains prussic acid/cyanide, which is a poisonous chemical (11). If you do happen to pop a cherry with the pit as a whole, it is ok, as it will be eliminated as it is. However, do not chew on it, and be aware of not swallowing too many pits.
• Remember to consult your doctor before including cherries in your pregnancy diet.
• Dried cherries are coated with sulphites to preserve them. If you are allergic to sulphites, avoid them. In case you have a craving to eat dried cherries, keep them dipped in warm water for half an hour so that the sulphites are washed off before you eat them.

FAQs

Want to know more about cherry fruit in pregnancy? Here is a list of frequently asked questions that may help.

1. Can I consume maraschino cherries when pregnant?

Maraschino cherries are rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium, which are essential for the growth and development of the foetus. However, consuming too many of them could raise your blood sugar levels.

2. Is it safe to eat dried cherries during pregnancy?

Dried cherries are laced with sulphites to preserve them. Therefore, it may trigger inflammation in pregnant women who are allergic to sulphites. One way to eat them is to keep the dried cherries dipped in warm water for half an hour so that the sulphites are washed off before you eat them.

3. How to select fresh cherries?

Select the ones that have a green stem attached to them and feel firm to the touch. Also, look for a deep red colour, as it signifies the cherries are ripe and ready to be eaten. Indian cherries may not have a deep red colour. However, if the stems fall off easily, they are ready to be eaten.

It is a known fact that eating cherries during pregnancy is beneficial for the mother as well as the unborn baby. However, remember to eat them in moderation.

References:

1. Cleveland Clinic – The Cherry on Top: 8 Health Benefits of Cherries

2. USDA – Cherries, sweet, dark red, raw

3. PubMed Central – Novel insights in health-promoting properties of sweet cherries

4. PubMed Central – A Review of the Health Benefits of Cherries

5. University of Wollongong Australia – Cherry on top: summer fruits are also good for the brain

6. PubMed Central – The Use of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Migraine

7. PubMed Central – Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cherry Extract: Nanosystems-Based Strategies to Improve Endothelial Function and Intestinal Absorption

8. Nutrients – From Orchard to Wellness: Unveiling the Health Effects of Sweet Cherry Nutrients

9. Harvard Health Publishing – Eat these fruits for their anti-inflammatory benefits

10. The University of Manchester – Allergy information for: Cherry (Prunus avium )

11. Virginia Cooperative Extension Newsletter Archive – Prussic Acid Poisoning Could be a Problem in Late Summer and Early Fall

Also Read: Consuming Kiwi Fruit in Pregnancy

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