Short Answer: Cherries are good for PCOS because they contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and phytochemicals that can benefit your health.
PCOS is a condition that affects your ovaries, which are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs and hormones.
In PCOS, your body produces too much of a male hormone called androgen, which can interfere with the normal development and release of eggs.
This can lead to various health problems, such as irregular periods, infertility, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain.
One of the key factors in managing PCOS is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation, which can impact your PCOS symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage PCOS, you should consume fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, and avoid refined carbs, added sugars, and processed foods.
Now, cherries are a type of fruit that have a sweet and sour taste.
People usually eat them fresh, dried, frozen, or as juice, jam, or pie filling.
Cherries are good for PCOS because they contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and phytochemicals that can benefit your health.
One cup of fresh cherries can give you 18% of your daily vitamin C, 10% of your daily potassium, 3 grams of fiber, and other nutrients.
Vitamin C can boost your immune system and skin health, potassium can regulate your blood pressure and fluid balance, and fiber can improve your digestion and blood sugar control.
Cherries also contain anthocyanins, quercetin, and melatonin, which can positively affect PCOS.
Anthocyanins are pigments that give cherries their red color and have anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties.
Quercetin is a flavonoid that can modulate the activity of androgen and estrogen receptors and reduce oxidative stress.
Melatonin is a hormone that can regulate your sleep cycle and improve your mood and insulin sensitivity.
Furthermore, cherries are a low glycemic index (GI) food and a low glycemic load (GL) food.
GI and GL are measures of how foods affect your blood sugar levels after eating.
Low GI and GL foods can help you maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent insulin resistance, which is a common problem in PCOS.
You can eat one to two cups of fresh cherries per day safely.
More than that can cause digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
You should also be mindful of the calories and sugar content of cherries, especially if you are trying to lose weight or have diabetes.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cherries if you are allergic to them or have a history of kidney stones, gout, or bleeding disorders.
Cherries contain oxalates, which can increase the risk of kidney stones, and salicylates, which can worsen gout and bleeding.
Because cherries can interact with some medications, such as blood thinners and sedatives, you should consult your doctor before eating them if you are taking any drugs.
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 cherries are highly perishable, you should wash them only before eating and 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 PCOS effectively.
I always recommend my PCOS patients to follow a PCOS-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.