Cherries for Diabetics

Cherries are known for their delicious taste, aesthetic appeal, and high vitamin content. They’ve even gained recognition as a “natural painkiller,” due to their inherent aspirin content. However, the idea of regularly using cherries for diabetics as a form of natural medicine is gaining ground in both homeopathic healing and medical circles.

The Overview

Both sweet and tart cherry varieties contain anthocyanins, important chemicals that naturally boost insulin in the body, which in turn helps the body to regulate blood sugar levels. Fun fact: The anthocyanins are actually what give cherries their vibrant red color!

Portion Size

For diabetics, cherries are a great food to include in a healthy diet plan, though the overall goal should be to stay within the blood sugar levels recommended by your doctor.

However, as with everything, portion control is an important factor. A small to medium portion of cherries is around fourteen cherries. This is about equal to two kiwis, seven strawberries, or three apricots.

Many doctors encourage the use of cherries for diabetics, and some believe that they might one day be a significant component of diabetes treatment.

Carb Content and Glycemic Index

It’s important to note that sweet and sour cherries hold different amounts of sugar.

The glycemic index indicates how much a certain food affects blood sugar levels based on the amount of carbs in the food. A higher glycemic index raises the blood sugar level. Fresh sweet cherries have a glycemic index of 62, making them a medium-GI food, while fresh sour cherries have a glycemic index of 22, making them a low-GI food.

In both cases, a half-cup serving of fresh cherries is generally a healthy amount for a diabetic (canned cherries are kept in syrup and contain much more sugar than fresh cherries). The best way to discern the effect of cherries is to test your blood sugar levels around an hour-and-a-half after eating them.