Why Do I Feel Sick After Eating Cherries?: Allergies, Intolerances, and Remedies

November 18, 2025 •

5 min read

Approximately 70% of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are sensitive to sorbitol, a sugar alcohol found in cherries, which can trigger digestive symptoms. If you're wondering "why do I feel sick after eating cherries?", the answer can range from simple overconsumption to specific food sensitivities and even allergies, impacting your digestive comfort.

Quick Summary

Feeling sick after eating cherries is often caused by high levels of sugar alcohols and fiber, FODMAP sensitivities, or an allergic reaction. This discomfort can include bloating, gas, stomach pain, or nausea and is usually related to how your body processes the fruit's components.

Key Points

Sorbitol Sensitivity: Cherries are high in sugar alcohols like sorbitol, which can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea, especially in sensitive individuals or those with IBS.
Pollen-Food Syndrome (OAS): A cross-reaction between tree pollen and raw cherries can cause Oral Allergy Syndrome, leading to mild symptoms like mouth itching and swelling.
Overconsumption Effects: Eating a large volume of cherries at once can overwhelm the digestive system with fiber and sugar, causing temporary but significant gastrointestinal upset.
Cyanide in Pits: Crushed or chewed cherry pits release cyanide-producing compounds and should be avoided, although accidentally swallowing an intact pit is generally not harmful.
Listen to Your Body: The amount of cherries that causes discomfort varies per person; starting with a small portion can help you determine your individual tolerance.
Consider Cooking: For those with OAS, cooking cherries can denature the allergenic protein, potentially allowing for symptom-free consumption.
Consult a Doctor: If symptoms are severe or persist, seeking a medical opinion is essential to rule out a true food allergy or other underlying conditions.

Cherries are a delicious and healthy fruit, but for some, they can trigger unpleasant symptoms that lead to feeling sick. Understanding the root cause of this discomfort is the first step toward managing it. The reasons can be broadly categorized into digestive sensitivities, allergic reactions, and the effects of overconsumption. By exploring these different mechanisms, you can better identify what might be causing your adverse reaction and learn how to enjoy this popular stone fruit without discomfort.

Digestive Sensitivities: FODMAPs, Fiber, and Sorbitol

One of the most common reasons people feel unwell after eating cherries is related to their digestive system's response to certain compounds in the fruit. Cherries contain high levels of fermentable carbohydrates known as FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols).

Polyols and Fructose

The primary culprits for digestive upset are the polyols (sugar alcohols) and excess fructose found in cherries.

Sorbitol: This naturally occurring sugar alcohol is known for its laxative effect. In individuals with sorbitol malabsorption, the small intestine doesn't properly absorb the compound. As a result, the sorbitol travels to the large intestine, where gut bacteria ferment it, producing gas and causing bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. While a high dose can affect anyone, those with existing digestive issues like IBS are particularly sensitive to even small amounts.
Fructose: While fructose is a natural fruit sugar, some people have fructose malabsorption, meaning their bodies struggle to absorb it efficiently. When eaten in large quantities or in combination with other high-fructose foods, cherries can overwhelm the gut's ability to process the sugar, leading to digestive distress.

The Impact of High Fiber Intake

Cherries are also a good source of fiber. A sudden increase in fiber intake can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea, especially for individuals not accustomed to a fiber-rich diet. If you binge on a large bag of cherries, the combined effect of high fiber and fermentable sugars can overwhelm your digestive system, leading to a quick trip to the bathroom. The key is moderation and listening to your body's tolerance levels.

Allergic Reactions: Beyond Simple Digestion

If your symptoms extend beyond typical digestive issues, you might have a cherry allergy. A true food allergy involves an immune system response, which differs from a food intolerance.

Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS)

Oral Allergy Syndrome, also called pollen-food syndrome, is a common type of allergy related to cherries. It's a cross-reactivity issue where the immune system, already sensitive to certain pollens (like birch), mistakes similar proteins in raw cherries for the pollen. Symptoms are typically localized to the mouth and throat and include:

Itching or tingling on the lips, tongue, or roof of the mouth
Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
Itchy ears

Symptoms are usually mild and resolve quickly after swallowing or removing the food. Importantly, people with OAS often tolerate cooked cherries because the heat alters the protein structure, rendering it non-allergenic.

Severe Cherry Allergies

In rarer cases, a true or primary cherry allergy can occur, where the immune system reacts directly to the cherry protein itself, regardless of whether it's cooked. These reactions can be more severe, causing symptoms like:

Hives and rashes
Stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting
Severe abdominal pain
Difficulty breathing (anaphylaxis)

The Potential Danger of Cherry Pits

While swallowing a whole cherry pit is generally not dangerous, as it will pass through your system intact, chewing or crushing them can be harmful. Cherry pits contain a compound called amygdalin, which converts into cyanide when released and metabolized by the body.

Note: Blending cherries with pits is particularly risky, as high-speed blenders can crush them. If you accidentally ingest a blended pit or multiple crushed seeds, contact poison control immediately.

Table: Allergy vs. Intolerance vs. Overconsumption


Feature	Food Allergy	Food Intolerance	Overconsumption
Mechanism	Immune system response to cherry protein	Digestive system difficulty processing sugars	Digestive overload from excessive fiber and sugar
Typical Symptoms	Hives, swelling, itching, abdominal pain, respiratory issues	Bloating, gas, cramping, diarrhea, nausea	Bloating, gas, diarrhea, stomach cramps
Speed of Onset	Within minutes to two hours	Varies, often delayed hours later	Can be immediate or delayed, depending on amount
Quantity Trigger	Can be very small amounts	Varies, often dependent on dose	Dependent on the individual's tolerance and amount consumed
Effect of Cooking	Cooking can deactivate allergens for OAS, but not for severe allergies	Little to no effect on sorbitol or fiber content	No significant change in the effects of overconsumption

How to Enjoy Cherries Without Feeling Sick

Based on the likely causes, here are some strategies to help you enjoy cherries without the unwanted side effects.

Eat in Moderation: This is the most crucial tip for many people. A standard serving size is about half a cup. Start with a small handful and see how your body reacts before eating more.
Don't Eat on an Empty Stomach: Eating cherries as part of a larger meal can dilute their effect on your digestive tract and slow the absorption of sugars.
Try Cooked Cherries: If you suspect Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), try eating cooked cherries, such as in a pie or jam. The heat can break down the allergenic proteins, preventing a reaction.
Identify Your Triggers: If you have sensitivities to FODMAPs or other fruits in the Rosaceae family (like apples or peaches), pay attention to how your body reacts to them as well. Keeping a food diary can help you pinpoint specific sensitivities.
Consider an Elimination Diet: If symptoms are persistent, a doctor or registered dietitian may recommend a temporary low-FODMAP diet to identify trigger foods.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water when consuming fiber-rich foods helps your digestive system process it smoothly and can mitigate some discomfort.

Conclusion

Feeling sick after eating cherries is a common but manageable problem. For most, the issue is not a serious allergy but a digestive sensitivity to the fruit's natural sugars and fiber, especially when consumed in large quantities. By being mindful of your portion sizes, incorporating cherries into meals, and understanding your potential sensitivities, you can often alleviate or prevent symptoms. However, if you experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or persistent stomach pain, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and management plan.

For questions about accidental ingestion of cherry pits, you can contact the Missouri Poison Center for free, confidential, and 24/7 guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, eating too many cherries can make you sick. This is primarily due to their high content of fiber and natural sugar alcohols like sorbitol. Consuming an excessive amount can overwhelm your digestive system, leading to bloating, gas, cramping, and diarrhea.

A cherry allergy is an immune system response to a protein in the fruit, which can be severe. A cherry intolerance involves the digestive system's difficulty processing components like sorbitol or fructose and is generally less severe.

Oral Allergy Syndrome is a form of secondary allergy caused by cross-reactivity between pollen and proteins in raw fruits like cherries. It can cause mild symptoms such as itching or tingling in the mouth and throat shortly after consumption.

Swallowing a single, intact cherry pit is rarely dangerous, as it will simply pass through your digestive system. The toxic cyanide compounds are only released if the pit is crushed, chewed, or ground, which is why blending cherries with pits is risky.

People with sensitive stomachs, including IBS, may be more sensitive to the FODMAPs in cherries and should consume them with caution. It is often best to eat small portions or include them with other foods to minimize the digestive impact.

To reduce stomach upset, try eating cherries in moderation (start with a small handful), consuming them as part of a meal instead of on an empty stomach, and staying hydrated. Those with OAS might be able to tolerate cooked cherries instead.

For those with Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), cooking cherries can denature the allergenic proteins, making them safer to eat. However, cooking does not remove the sugar alcohols or fiber, so those with intolerances may still experience digestive issues if they eat too much.

Symptoms of sorbitol intolerance from cherries can include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. These occur because the unabsorbed sorbitol ferments in the large intestine.