Is Cherries Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, fresh cherries are safe and nutritious during pregnancy. They're packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. However, processed cherry products like maraschino cherries often contain additives worth limiting.
Fresh cherries are an excellent choice during pregnancy, providing vitamin C, potassium, and anti inflammatory compounds that support both maternal and fetal health. The main concern is with processed cherry products, which frequently contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes like Red 40, and preservatives. Always wash fresh cherries thoroughly before eating to reduce any risk from surface contaminants.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Fresh, whole cherries from the produce section - wash thoroughly under running water before eating
- • Organic cherries when possible to minimize pesticide exposure
- • Frozen cherries without added sugars or syrups for smoothies and baking
- • Dried cherries with no added sweeteners or preservatives
- • Cherry juice that is 100% juice without high fructose corn syrup
- • One cup of fresh cherries (about 21 cherries) is a typical healthy serving
✗ What to Avoid
- • Maraschino cherries - most contain Red 40, high fructose corn syrup, and preservatives like sodium benzoate
- • Unwashed cherries - always rinse under running water and scrub gently before eating
- • Cherry products with high fructose corn syrup - linked to gestational diabetes risk in studies
- • Products containing Red 40 or artificial colors - may affect neurobehavioral development
- • Cherries preserved with sulfur dioxide if you have sulfite sensitivity
- • Cherry flavored products with artificial flavors instead of real fruit
Most Common Ingredients in Cherries Products
We analyzed 41 cherries products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Cherries
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 41 cherries products we analyzed.
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 29 of 41 products (71%)
potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate added as preservatives
CAUTION
Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate added as preservatives is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 13 of 41 products (32%)
potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 11 of 41 products (27%)
red 40
CAUTION
Red 40 is a synthetic red food coloring. May affect neurobehavioral development based on animal studies at high doses.
Found in 11 of 41 products (27%)
potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate as preservatives
CAUTION
Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate as preservatives is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 6 of 41 products (15%)
corn syrup high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
Corn syrup high fructose corn syrup is a simple sugar found naturally in fruits and added to many processed foods and beverages as high fructose corn syrup. May program offspring for metabolic dysfunction when consumed in excess during pregnancy, with animal studies showing effects on insulin resistance, blood pressure, and neurodevelopment.
Found in 2 of 41 products (5%)
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 2 of 41 products (5%)
artificial color
CAUTION
Artificial color is synthetic dyes added to foods and beverages. May affect neurobehavioral development in offspring based on animal studies.
Found in 1 of 41 products (2%)
Cherries Products We've Analyzed
We graded 41 cherries products for pregnancy safety. 6 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Cherries Products
We found 6 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Maraschino Cherries With Stems | — |
| A | Organic Morello Cherry | — |
| A | Morello Cherries | — |
| A | Organic Montmorency Cherries | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can I eat cherries while pregnant?
Yes, cherries are safe and beneficial during pregnancy. They contain potassium for blood pressure regulation, vitamin C for immune support, and antioxidants with anti inflammatory properties. Fresh cherries also provide fiber to help with pregnancy related constipation. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly before eating and enjoy them as part of a balanced diet.
What are the risks of cherries during pregnancy?
Fresh cherries pose minimal risk during pregnancy when properly washed. The main concerns relate to processed cherry products. Maraschino cherries often contain high fructose corn syrup, which has been associated with gestational diabetes risk, and artificial dyes like Red 40. Unwashed produce can carry bacteria, so always rinse cherries under running water before eating. Some people may also have allergies to cherries, so discontinue if you notice any reaction.
Are maraschino cherries safe during pregnancy?
Maraschino cherries should be consumed sparingly during pregnancy. Most brands contain high fructose corn syrup, Red 40 dye, and preservatives like sodium benzoate. While occasional consumption is unlikely to cause harm, these additives are flagged for caution during pregnancy. If you want cherries for cocktails or desserts, look for A grade options made without artificial colors and high fructose corn syrup, or use fresh cherries instead.
How many cherries can I eat while pregnant?
There's no strict limit on fresh cherries during pregnancy - they're a healthy fruit choice. A typical serving is about one cup (approximately 21 cherries), which provides around 90 calories and beneficial nutrients. Eating cherries in moderation as part of a varied diet is ideal. If you have gestational diabetes, monitor your portions since cherries do contain natural sugars, and consult your healthcare provider about appropriate fruit intake.
Can cherry juice help during pregnancy?
Yes, 100% cherry juice can be beneficial during pregnancy. Tart cherry juice in particular contains melatonin, which may help with sleep issues common in pregnancy. Cherry juice also provides antioxidants and anti inflammatory compounds. Choose juices without added sugars or high fructose corn syrup. Keep portions moderate since juice lacks the fiber of whole fruit and concentrates natural sugars.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
References
- https://www.fda.gov/food/buy store serve safe food/selecting and serving produce safely
- https://www.fda.gov/media/77178/download
- https://thrivemarket.com/blog/heres a-convincing reason to avoid high fructose corn syrup during pregnancy
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1203063/full
- https://www.nature.com/articles/srep25091
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286322000225
- https://www.orlandohealth.com/content hub/why you should not consume high fructose corn syrup if you are pregnant/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7441786/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35123000/
- https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/32/12/2314/25900/Dietary Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522034220
- https://medicine.washu.edu/news/high fructose diet pregnancy may harm placenta restrict fetal growth/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6685737/
- https://www.cdc.gov/maternal infant health/pregnancy diabetes/index.html
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5491864/
- https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1113/JP274066
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4398903/
- https://www.obgproject.com/2023/01/02/acog releases updated guidance gestational diabetes/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.848983/full
- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.02.600389v1.full text
