Strawberries vs Cherries – Which is Healthier?

Our Verdict

When comparing strawberries to cherries, we picked the cherries.

Why?

Both are great, and an argument could be made for either! But here’s our rationale:

In terms of macros, as with most fruits they are both mostly water, and have similar carbs and fiber. Nominally, cherries have the lower glycemic index, so we could call this category nominally a win for cherries, but honestly, they’re both low-GI foods and nobody is getting metabolic disease from eating strawberries, so it’s fairer to consider this category a tie.

Looking at the vitamins, strawberries have more of vitamins C, B9, E, and K, while cherries have more of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, and choline. Thus, a modest win for cherries here.

When it comes to minerals, strawberries see their day: strawberries have more iron, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus, while cherries have more calcium, copper, and potassium. By the numbers, a win for strawberries.

So far, so tied!

What swings it into cherries’ favor is cherries’ slew of specific phytochemical benefits, including cherry-specific anti-inflammatory properties, sleep-improving abilities, and post-exercise recovery boosts, as well as anti-diabetic benefits above and beyond the normal “this is a fruit” level.

In short, both are very respectable fruits, but cherries have some extra qualities that are just special.

Of course, as ever, enjoy either or both; diversity is good!

Want to learn more?

You might like to read:

Cherries’ Health Benefits Simply Pop

Enjoy!