The opinion that you get a stomach ache after cherries and water is widespread. But is that really true? We set off in search of clues!
The rumor is widespread and persists. Eating cherries and drinking water leads to stomach aches and cramps. Even my grandmother warned me about this: "If you eat cherries now, you won't have anything to drink for half an hour." With words of wisdom like, "You'll get a stomachache after cherries and water," or "Your stomach will burst," she really panicked me as an 8-year-old.
The desire for a cooling drink has gone out of me every time. Many people probably feel the same way. As adults, very few believe in these fairy tales. But somehow the statement always makes you wonder.
But where does this saying come from and more importantly, is it really true? I haven't heard of anyone whose belly has burst after cherries and water. I guess it's not that bad after all.
However, there are also rumors that not only cherries are culprits, but stone fruit in general. Plums, apricots and the like are said to trigger stomach aches in combination with water.
Today we clarify the question: eating cherries and drinking water - good or bad idea?
Table of contents
Eat cherries and drink water: where does the myth come from?
No one knows for sure. In any case, the misconception got around very quickly and is widespread from Germany to Austria.
Nutritionists say that the rumor may have originated in the wartime and post-war period. At that time, drinking water was often anything but hygienic and germ-free.
The bacteria on the cherries (especially yeast) and the germs in the water could have caused the sugar in the fruit to start fermenting in the stomach. And from this you can get a stomach ache.
Another theory is that the water strongly dilutes the stomach acid. Thus, yeast fungi would have an easy time and could spread in the stomach. If you drink water after eating fruit and thus dilute the stomach acid, you ensure that yeast fungi cannot be killed. This should cause the yeast to ferment the sugar in the fruit. This produces carbon dioxide. This leads to flatulence and abdominal pain.
What does science say: cherries + water = bloated belly?
Science around the globe seems to have bigger problems than stone fruit and drinks. Or maybe they just didn't want to find a guinea pig.
After much research, I can't find any studies or long-term research on this. Also in newspapers nothing can be found about bursting bellies or abdominal pain after stone fruit.
In a nutshell, there is no scientific evidence of abdominal pain after cherries and water.
So neither of these assumptions can be associated with cherries and water alone. After all, we ingest bacteria and germs with pretty much everything we eat.
Water is also often on or next to the menu. We drink it with many meals and our belly does not burst as a result. Fortunately!
A healthy digestive tract copes well with intruders. Even if the stomach acid is diluted. A healthy intestine is home to many bacteria that prevent germs and yeast fungi from spreading.
From a scientific point of view, there doesn't seem to be much to the popular wisdom that "eating cherries and drinking water leads to a stomach ache."
All-clear from the Federal Research Institute
There is also all-clear from the Federal Research Institute for Nutrition. Dr. Antal Bognár explains in the "Apotheken Umschau" that fruit and water are basically well tolerated: "A glass of water on a few cherries does no harm."
Problems such as diarrhea, bloated abdomen and abdominal cramps after eating cherries and drinking water are more likely to be attributed to contaminated water.
Fancy quark casserole with cherries?
Abdominal pain from cherries - even without water
But why do some still get a stomach ache after eating cherries and drinking water? Like many other fruits, cherries contain a lot of fructose. That's what makes them so irresistibly delicious for us. However, some find this sugar difficult to digest.
The fructose migrates through the small intestine into the large intestine. There it is decomposed by microorganisms. This produces gases that can cause very unpleasant abdominal pain. However, this is only the case for people who suffer from fructose intolerance.
So if you have problems with fructose, cherries, apricots, plums and co will give you a stomach ache - even without a sip of water.
But even if you don't have a fructose intolerance, you shouldn't eat masses of cherries. If you eat more than a handful at a time, you can overload your stomach. This can then lead to abdominal pain. So it's better to enjoy and not gorge.
Many tolerate cherries better when they have been heated. So in the form of compote, fruit spread, juice or as a delicious low carb cheesecake.
It's the quantity that counts
As a general rule, you can get flatulence after eating a lot of uncooked fruits and vegetables. But that doesn't mean you should give up raw vegetables. Fruits provide us with vitamins, minerals, fiber and secondary plant substances.
All you have to do is adjust the dose. More than 500 grams of cherries at once can overwhelm even the strongest stomach.
If you can't hold back, the yeast fungi convert the sugar from the cherries into alcohol. This process produces carbon dioxide, which we feel in the form of flatulence.
Now, if you drink a lot at the same time, it can cause the stomach acid to be diluted and increase the effect.
Tip: correct storage
You can tell if cherries are fresh by their stem. It should definitely still be on the fruit, because this makes them last longer. The greener the stem, the fresher the fruit.
Without a stem, the fruits dry out quickly and may even lose vitamins. In addition, they are more susceptible to rot at the transition to the fruit. Therefore, remove the stem only directly before eating.
Cherries can be stored in the refrigerator for two days.
Infused water with cherries, lemon and mint
And the proof that the rumor is really just a myth, we provide you with our Infused Water. You can enjoy it without a care in the world.
Here's how:
- Pit cherries, chop mint and cut lemon into slices
- Infuse with mineral water
- Put in the refrigerator for 15 minutes
It tastes best when you put your feet up and really relax :)
Our conclusion
There is no proof that eating cherries and drinking water causes stomach ache. The myth can not be proven.
The assumption that combining cherries and water is bad for our stomach comes from a time when drinking water was of poor quality. The germs caused flatulence and diarrhea.
Basically, for all fruits: do not eat too much at once, then there will be no problems.
Enjoy it!
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