Why drinking water with cherries might upset your stomach

Are you wondering if eating a wormy cherry can cause poisoning? What about mouldy fruit? Is there any common sense explanation for your grandma's warning about drinking water with cherries? Find out what mistakes to avoid when eating cherries.

It is currently cherry season. Many people find it hard to resist these fruits, and it’s no wonder. Sweet and tart, juicy cherries symbolize summer, reminiscent of a carefree childhood. However, cherries can turn carefree moments into a nightmare. How? It’s effortless to make a mistake.

Cherries are fruits rich in dietary fibre. Although this substance significantly impacts the regulation of bowel processes, it is neither digested nor absorbed by our digestive system. If we decide to consume a large amount of cherries and then drink water, we may accelerate the movement of food through our digestive system.

People with digestive issues should be cautious, as they may experience stomach upset after consuming many cherries and water. The risk group includes those with digestive problems, gastritis, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or bile duct inflammation. Patients suffering from stomach and duodenal ulcers should also be cautious.

First and foremost, avoid cherries that have changed colour, are very soft, overripe, leak juice, or are mouldy. Such fruits can be harmful. Removing the spoiled part of the fruit is not a good practice, as it doesn’t guarantee that all the mould has been eliminated. Mould that develops in food products can have a strong toxic effect on humans.

And what about wormy cherries? This situation is a bit different. Although eating fruits with worms can cause disgust or even vomiting, it is not unsafe. The insects living in the fruit are not toxic in any way and do not release any harmful substances into our bodies.