Are Maraschino Cherries Bad For You?
Short answer
Maraschino cherries are harmful treats which should be avoided whenever possible. They have almost zero nutritional value and have many added preservatives and flavorings.
Recommended Alternative
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Maraschino cherries are an extremely controversial food. While they are referred to as cherries, many people suspect that the neon cherry-shaped ice cream sundae toppers don't include any natural fruit at all. The truth is, maraschino cherries are made from real cherries. However, those cherries undergo such extensive processing before they are packaged and sold as maraschino cherries that there isn't much left of the original fruit or its natural nutrients by the time they land in stores or restaurants.
Unfortunately, the lack of nutritional value in maraschino cherries is not their worst feature. The substances that are added to the cherries during their processing quickly transforms them from fresh fruit to potentially poisonous candy.
At the beginning of the maraschino cherry processing, real cherries are dunked in calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide in order to bleach and preserve them. While calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide are both approved as safe by the FDA, sulfur dioxide is also listed as one of the top six air pollutants. If a substance is actively polluting the air around us and making it less safe for us to breathe, it's likely that it also has harmful effects if consumed through eating mostly-fake cherries. The negative health effects of sulfur dioxide have even been noted by leading professionals to include respiratory problems, liver disease, and skin rashes.
After every bit of the natural red color has been chemically soaked out of the cherries, they are then soaked in food coloring to turn them into a brighter, more aesthetically appealing shade of red. A common food coloring used in the dying process of maraschino cherries is Red 40, a substance warned against for its potential side effects of increasing risk of cancer, hives, and hyperactivity in children.
Finally, the maraschino cherries are drenched in sugar. One maraschino cherry includes more than two grams of sugar, which adds up to almost ten percent of the average individual's recommended maximum daily sugar intake. Too much sugar can lead to obesity, tooth decay, and cardiovascular problems.
Possible short-term side effects
- hives
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rashes
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nausea
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blood sugar spike
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hyperactivity (children)
Possible long-term side effects
- cardiovascular disease
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obesity
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liver disease
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tooth decay
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cancer
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immune disorders
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
- real cherries
-
other fresh fruits
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Tillen Farms Bada Bing Cherries
- Natural cherry flavor
- Preservative-free
- No artificial colors
- Two-pack value
Learn More!
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Written by Shaylie F
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Shaylie F
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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