Cherries, Cherry Juice, and GERD: Are They Triggers?
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Do Cherries Help GERD Symptoms or Make Them Worse?

Do Cherries Help GERD Symptoms or Make Them Worse?
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Updated on August 7, 2025
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is irritation and inflammation of your esophagus caused by acid that seeps up from your stomach. That’s why GERD causes heartburn.

 Cherries might be good for the inflammation caused by GERD, but could cherries cause heartburn?

“When it comes to foods and GERD symptoms, it’s not so much about what you eat as when you eat and how much,” says Abdul Haseeb, MD, assistant professor of gastroenterology at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. “Different foods trigger GERD symptoms for different people. Acidic foods are worse on an empty stomach, and any food that you eat just before lying down can make GERD worse.”

Can Cherries or Cherry Juice Help GERD?

Cherries are rich in plant compounds called polyphenols and vitamins A, C, and E. Foods high in antioxidants can help manage inflammation throughout the body. Cherries may have benefits for the following:

  • Reduced muscle soreness for long-distance runners
  • Blood pressure control
  • Improved sleep
  • Better cholesterol numbers
Some research also supports reduced arthritis pain, a lower risk of cancer and heart disease, and improved blood glucose control in people with diabetes. These benefits are due to the anti-inflammatory effects of antioxidants in all types of cherries.

No research has looked at the potential benefits of cherries for GERD. Plus, some research has used anywhere from 45 to 270 cherries per day, so the ideal serving size to access potential benefits isn’t clear.

 “Although there is no strong evidence that cherries help GERD, antioxidants from fresh fruits make sense, as long as they don’t trigger your GERD symptoms,” Dr. Haseeb says.

Can Cherries’ Acidity Affect GERD Symptoms?

The acidity of cherries is about the same as peaches and overmature strawberries: firmly in the middle range of fruit acidity. Acidity is measured as pH — a lower pH means a substance is more acidic. For example, here are the approximate pH ranges of some common fruits, according to the United States Department of Agriculture:

  • Lemon juice: 2.2
  • Cherries: 3.75
  • Mango: 4.57
“Cherries or cherry juice do not show up on the list of foods that most commonly trigger heartburn in people with GERD. Because different people have different heartburn triggers, the best thing to do is keep a food diary to isolate your food triggers,” Haseeb says. These foods are the most common heartburn triggers:

  • Citrus fruits and other acidic foods, including tomatoes
  • Alcohol
  • Chocolate
  • Fatty or fried foods

  • Garlic and onions, for some people
  • Mint
  • Spicy foods

Haseeb strongly recommends against drinking coffee and orange juice on an empty stomach in the morning if you have GERD, and also cautions against sodas. The bubbles in soda increase pressure in the stomach. He also suggests that garlic and onions can trigger acid reflux in some people.

Managing GERD

“You can treat GERD with over-the-counter antacids. The most effective medicines are usually proton-pump inhibitors like Prilosec and Nexium. If you’ve tried these medications and they haven’t helped in about one month, or if you have any trouble swallowing, you should talk to your doctor,” Haseeb says.

Certain lifestyle changes can also help you manage GERD, Haseeb points out. They include:

  • Weight management, if you are a person who is overweight or a person with obesity
  • Wearing loose-fitting clothing to reduce abdominal pressure
  • Putting 6-to-8-inch blocks under the legs of your bed at the head of your bed, which can help keep stomach contents from seeping up while you sleep
  • Quitting smoking
  • Only drinking alcohol in moderation or cutting it out completely
  • Eating dinner several hours before going to bed or lying down
  • Eating small meals more often, rather than a few large meals daily
Keeping a food log can also help you monitor which foods cause you heartburn so you can avoid them.

Finally, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says several effective surgeries can tighten the valve between your stomach and esophagus. “This valve, called the lower esophageal sphincter, is the gateway for stomach acid into your esophagus,” Haseeb says.

The bottom line on cherries and cherry juice, according to Haseeb, is that you can give them a try as long as they don’t trigger heartburn. A final warning: “If you have any blood in your stool or throw up blood, let your doctor know right away. Sometimes GERD symptoms can suggest an ulcer,” Haseeb says. Likewise, if GERD symptoms are persistent and interfere with daily life, talk to your healthcare provider.

The Takeaway

  • Cherries do not usually appear on lists of common GERD trigger foods, but individual reactions vary. Keeping a food diary can help you identify whether cherries trigger GERD or not.
  • While cherries offer various potential health benefits due to their antioxidants, no strong evidence currently links them to GERD symptom relief.
  • Those with ongoing GERD should focus on lifestyle modifications and consider medical therapy. See a doctor about persistent or disruptive GERD symptoms.
  • If you notice symptoms like blood in the stool or vomiting blood alongside your GERD, seek medical assistance immediately, as these could indicate more serious issues such as ulcers.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Mayo Clinic. April 23, 2025.
  2. The Cherry on Top: 8 Health Benefits of Cherries. Cleveland Clinic. March 27, 2023.
  3. Falenza MF et al. Novel insights in health-promoting properties of sweet cherries. Journal of functional foods. August 19, 2021.
  4. pH of Selected Foods. United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.
  5. Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for GER & GERD. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. July 2020.
  6. Acid Reflux & GERD. Cleveland Clinic. September 28, 2023.
  7. 7-Day Food and Symptom Diary. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
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Waseem-Ahmed-bio

Waseem Ahmed, MD

Medical Reviewer

Waseem Ahmed, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and serves as Director, Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship and Education within the F. Widjaja Inflammatory Bowel Disease Institute.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and attended medical school at Indiana University. He then completed an internal medicine residency at New York University, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Indiana University, and an advanced fellowship in inflammatory bowel disease at the Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine. Prior to his current role, Dr. Ahmed served as an assistant professor of medicine within the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at the University of Colorado from 2021-2024.

Dr. Ahmed is passionate about providing innovative, comprehensive, and compassionate care for all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). His research interests include IBD medical education for patients, providers, and trainees; clinical trials; acute severe ulcerative colitis; and the use of combined advanced targeted therapy in high-risk IBD.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, is an avid follower of professional tennis, and enjoys fine dining.

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Chris Iliades

Chris Iliades, MD

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Chris Iliades, MD, is a full-time freelance writer based in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. His work appears regularly on many health and medicine websites including Clinical Advisor, Healthgrades, Bottom Line Health, HeathDay, and University Health News. Iliades also writes a regular blog for The Pulse, a website for fetal health and pregnancy.

Iliades is board-certified in Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery. He practiced clinical medicine for 15 years and has also been a medical director for diagnostic research and a principal investigator for clinical research before he turned to full-time medical writing.

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