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Nutrition and daily life

Sweet cherry — fruit card: the first sweetness of summer

Sweet cherries are among the first fruits of summer: sweet, juicy and glossy. Their thin skin is not peeled, and the stones must not be swallowed. This card explains how to eat cherries safely during treatment.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A bowl of glossy cherries on a dark board.
Figure 1.Glossy sweet cherries.

01Short answer

Sweet cherries provide water, vitamin C, potassium and anthocyanins. The thin skin stays on, so during neutropenia wash them carefully and discard split or bruised ones; some teams limit them in severe neutropenia. If swallowing is hard, remove the stone and cut them in half. Do not crack the stones. Cherry compote is a safe alternative.

02Simple explanation

Cherries have thin skin.

Discard split ones.

Remove the stone.

Compote is a safe choice.

03Scientific explanation

Anthocyanins: polyphenols that give cherries their deep red colour; no treatment effect in leukemia has been shown.

WHO: at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables a day is recommended; during treatment the amount may vary with appetite and your doctor’s advice.

FDA: wash produce under running water before cutting or peeling, because a knife can carry germs from the skin into the flesh.

04What happens in the body?

Washing

Rinse cherries in a colander under running water and remove stems after washing.

Pitted cherry halves on a white plate.
Figure 2.Remove the stones — Sweet cherry — fruit card: the first sweetness of summer

Compote

Summer compote is boiled, so it is safer during neutropenia.

A glass of warm cherry compote.
Figure 3.Cherry compote — Sweet cherry — fruit card: the first sweetness of summer

Washing and peeling

Wash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.

Cut fruit

Keep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

05Fruit: four steps

Whole fruit, swap bruised, wash and peel, eat cut fruit soon.

Whole fruit — No spots.1Whole fruitNo spots.
Not bruised — Fresh and whole.2Not bruisedFresh and whole.
Wash and peel — Running water.3Wash and peelRunning water.
Eat soon — Fridge, 1 day.4Eat soonFridge, 1 day.
VitaminsA natural source.
FibreFor the gut.
SafetyWashing.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
WashingRinse cherries in a colander under running water and remove stems after washing.
CompoteSummer compote is boiled, so it is safer during neutropenia.
Washing and peelingWash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.
Cut fruitKeep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

07Key terms

Anthocyanins
Red-purple pigments.
Stone
The hard seed of the fruit.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils, raising infection risk.
Potassium
A mineral for the heart and muscles.
Fibre
The part of plants that helps the gut work.

08Key points

  • Wash cherries carefully.
  • Do not swallow stones.
  • Compote is safe.
  • Wash under running water.
  • Eat cut fruit soon.

09Frequently asked questions

Do cherries cause diarrhoea?

Large amounts can loosen the gut; eat a few.

Are sour cherries the same?

Yes, the same rules; they are more acidic and may sting mouth sores.

Does this fruit treat leukemia?

No. It is a pleasant part of eating, not a treatment.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Do cherries cause diarrhoea?

  2. Are sour cherries the same?

  3. Does this fruit treat leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  2. U.S. FDA. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
  3. NHS. 5 A Day: what counts?
  4. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  5. USDA. FoodData Central
  6. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Ginger
  7. Supportive Care in Cancer, 2023. 2023 updated MASCC/ESMO consensus recommendations: prevention of nausea and vomiting following high-emetic-risk antineoplastic agents
  8. Cancer, 2020. MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines for the management of mucositis secondary to cancer therapy
  9. Cancer.Net (ASCO). Dehydration
  10. American Cancer Society. Diarrhea
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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