Cherries, sweet, canned, pitted, heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids
Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
These are sweet cherries, pitted and preserved in a heavy sugar syrup, offering a soft, juicy texture and a deep, candy-like sweetness. Nutritionally, they are a concentrated source of carbohydrates, primarily from added sugars, providing quick energy. The canning process gives them a distinct, glossy appearance and a flavor profile that is both intensely sweet and slightly tart.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 96% carbs · 2% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their intensely sweet, nostalgic flavor and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that is perfect for desserts and cocktails. Their convenience and year-round availability make them a staple for quick baking projects and sweet treats.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (over 16g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making them less ideal for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance. To mitigate this, pair them with a source of protein or healthy fat (like yogurt or nuts) and practice strict portion control. Additionally, the syrup adds empty calories, so draining them can reduce sugar intake.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from natural and added sugars
- Contains dietary fiber, albeit in modest amounts
- Offers a convenient, shelf-stable fruit option
- Source of antioxidants like anthocyanins, though reduced by processing
- Can be used year-round for baking and desserts
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The practice of canning cherries in heavy syrup became a widespread home preservation method in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, as a way to enjoy summer harvests throughout the long winter months.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 77.6 g |
| Energy | 83.0 kcal |
| Energy | 347 kj |
| Protein | 0.60 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.15 g |
| Ash | 0.38 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 21.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 16.2 g |
| Sucrose | 2.2 g |
| Glucose | 7.9 g |
| Fructose | 5.2 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.87 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 9.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.35 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 9.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 18.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 145 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 3.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.10 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.14 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 3.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin | 0.40 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.06 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 4.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 8.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 92.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 154 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 57.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.17 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.90 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.03 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Cherries, sweet, raw — USDA does not publish this profile for Cherries.
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.02 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.02 g |
| Leucine | 0.03 g |
| Lysine | 0.03 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.02 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.01 g |
| Valine | 0.02 g |
| Arginine | 0.02 g |
| Histidine | 0.01 g |
| Alanine | 0.03 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.57 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.08 g |
| Glycine | 0.02 g |
| Proline | 0.04 g |
| Serine | 0.03 g |
FAQ
Are canned cherries in heavy syrup healthy?
While they provide some fiber and antioxidants, they are very high in added sugars and should be consumed in moderation. Their healthiness depends on your dietary goals and portion size.
How can I reduce the sugar content?
You can drain and rinse the cherries to remove some of the syrup, or choose cherries packed in water or juice instead. Using them in recipes where other sweeteners are reduced can also help.
Can I use them in savory dishes?
Yes, they can be used in savory sauces (like a sweet-and-sour glaze for poultry) or salads, but their sweetness is best balanced with acidic or savory components.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.83 kcal/g · 3% calories from protein · 1.4 g fiber · 16.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.02 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.