Cherries are often touted as a nutritious meal, full of antioxidants and vitamins that help you stay fit. One of the most common questions about cherries, however, has to do with their effect on the toilet bowl . Are cherries good for constipation? Or do they make you poop ?
In this article, we’ll look at both sides of the debate to give you the straight facts about this mysterious fruit’s effect on your gastrointestinal tract.
Yes ! Cherries helps you poop
Cherries are a rich source of fibre. In fact, 1 cup of raw Bing cherries contain about 7g of fibre (4 grams soluble and 3 grams insoluble), which is about 20% of your daily needs.
Soluble fibre – or dietary-soluble – dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance that slows down digestion and makes you feel full and satisfied faster. Insoluble fibre doesn’t dissolve in water, but it bulks up stools to help them pass more quickly through your gut (think: helping eliminate toxins and bacteria).
Cherries may not be on your first list of tummy-taming foods. But when it comes to helping get things moving, they have a lot to offer. Research suggests that consuming at least 10 grams of fibre daily—the amount in just one cup of cherries—can help ease constipation.
What are cherries good for?
Cherries are rich in antioxidants, fibre and disease-fighting compounds called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins give fruit their red color and have been shown to fight free radicals that can damage cells.
Antioxidants protect against heart disease and inflammation, which is linked to conditions like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Cherries also help regulate blood sugar levels, helping those with diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels after a meal.
Cherries and bowel movements
what’s up with that ? It’s a question we get all of the time: do cherries have any effect on bowel movements?
People are always looking for natural laxatives, so it makes sense that they’d want to know about natural ways to improve digestion. After all, research shows that certain meals can alter our digestive processes and even cause movement in several ways.
But what does research show about cherries and whether or not they can actually lead to bowel movements ? Does their fiber content mean your body will naturally move more as a result of them? We decided to look into it further . . . but first, some background on why certain foods might move things along.
Cherries as a perfect constipation cure
There are several ways to relieve constipation. Many people turn to prunes and other dried fruits for their high fiber content, but sometimes you can get better results from fresh fruit.
For example, new research has found that eating a handful of tart cherries may be an effective way to quickly relieve constipation. Cherries have been used in natural medicine for centuries as a remedy for constipation; now research is confirming that they may be just as beneficial as other fiber-rich dried fruits such as prunes and raisins.
If you’re looking for a reliable way to treat chronic constipation or slow down transit time—which has many health benefits beyond simply helping with bathroom issues—tart cherries might be worth trying!
How many minutes should it take to go to the bathroom after eating cherries?
Just two hours after eating one cup of cherries, most people are ready to go. That’s how quickly cherries take effect on your system. Cherries contain soluble fibre, which absorbs water in your gut and makes it easier for you to empty your bowels.
Cherries also promote healthy bacteria growth in your intestines, which can lead to quicker elimination. To eat more cherries without worrying about going too often, use them in a recipe that contains other sources of fibre and protein—that way, you won’t get hungry before reaching for a bowl of oatmeal or some quinoa with berries.
What happens if you eat cherries everyday ?
If you want to add cherries to your diet, go ahead—just be sure to stick with just a few servings per day. Otherwise, it’s not uncommon for the acid in cherries to cause upset stomach and general gastrointestinal discomfort, especially if you’re not used to eating them on a regular basis. As long as you keep your daily intake under about one cup of fresh cherries), things should be okay.
Health benefits of cherries other than constipation
Cherries provide a good source of fiber which helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly. This also promotes a healthy bowel movement; so if you are looking for a natural cure for constipation, cherries are an excellent choice!
One study[1] found that adults who consumed 11 grams of fiber daily (roughly equivalent to two cherries) had fewer symptoms of chronic constipation than adults who did not consume any fiber.
It is important to note that since fiber can help keep your bowels regular, it may cause gas and bloating until your body gets used to it. Fiber-rich foods include oats, nuts, beans, brown rice and fruits such as apples and pears.
