Short Answer: Cherries are good for hypothyroidism. Because they have vitamin C, potassium, and polyphenols, and they can support your immune system, regulate your blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects your thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck and produces hormones that regulate your metabolism.
In hypothyroidism, your body does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which can slow down your metabolism and affect many bodily functions.
This can lead to various health problems, such as weight gain, fatigue, depression, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
One of the key factors in managing hypothyroidism is diet.
What you consume can affect your thyroid function, which can impact your hypothyroidism symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage hypothyroidism, you should consume iodine-rich foods like seafood, dairy, and eggs, and avoid goitrogenic foods like cruciferous vegetables, soy, and millet, which can interfere with thyroid hormone production.
Now, cherries are small stone fruits that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
People usually eat them fresh, dried, frozen, or as juice, jam, or pie filling.
Cherries are good for hypothyroidism because they contain vitamin C, potassium, and polyphenols, which are beneficial for thyroid health.
Vitamin C can help boost your immune system and prevent infections that can damage your thyroid gland.
Potassium can help regulate your blood pressure and heart rate, which can be affected by hypothyroidism.
Polyphenols can help fight inflammation and oxidative stress, which can impair your thyroid function and worsen your symptoms.
One cup (154 grams) of sweet, raw, pitted cherries can give you 18% of your daily vitamin C needs, 10% of your daily potassium needs, and 3 grams of fiber, which can also help lower your cholesterol and improve your digestion.
Vitamin C can positively affect hypothyroidism by supporting your immune system and preventing thyroid damage.
Potassium can positively affect hypothyroidism by regulating your blood pressure and heart rate.
Polyphenols can positively affect hypothyroidism by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Furthermore, cherries are a low-glycemic food and low-glycemic foods are good for hypothyroidism.
Because, they can help prevent blood sugar spikes and insulin resistance, which can worsen your metabolism and increase your risk of diabetes.
You can eat one to two cups of cherries per day safely.
More than that can cause digestive problems, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, due to their high fiber and sorbitol content.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cherries if you have an allergy to them or to other fruits in the same family, such as peaches, plums, and apricots, to prevent anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.
Because, they can trigger your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals that can cause swelling, itching, and breathing difficulties.
You can buy fresh cherries in your local market or can order them online.
Always choose firm, plump, and shiny cherries with green stems and no bruises or blemishes.
Because, they indicate freshness and quality.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a year.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing hypothyroidism effectively.
I always recommend my hypothyroidism patients to follow a hypothyroidism-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.