Can eating too many cherries cause black stools?

Generally, eating excessive cherries may cause black stools. The specific analysis is as follows:

Cherries contain large amounts of natural pigments such as anthocyanins and cyanidin. During digestion, some of these pigments may not be completely broken down and absorbed. When they enter the intestines along with food residue, they can alter stool color, causing it to turn black. This situation is a normal physiological phenomenon and does not indicate any health problems.

If the stool remains black without excessive cherry consumption or intake of other dark-colored foods, other factors should be considered. In such cases, the black stool may be caused by upper gastrointestinal bleeding. When bleeding occurs in areas such as the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, hemoglobin iron in the blood combines with sulfides in the intestine to form iron sulfide, resulting in black, tarry, and glossy stools.

When consuming cherries, one should follow the principle of moderation to avoid adverse effects from overconsumption. Individuals with specific constitutions or health conditions, such as diabetes patients or those with hyperkalemia, should consume cherries cautiously according to their individual circumstances.