Like many fruits, raw sweet cherries provide carbohydrates, potassium and vitamin C. They also are a source of cholesterol-lowering phytosterols. Values given are for one cup of raw sweet cherries, measured with the pits intact. Dietary reference intake (DRI) percentages are for adults under age 50. Percentages might differ for those under 18 or over 50.
Carbohydrates and Sugar
One cup of raw sweet cherries contains 87 calories, most of which are from the 22.1 g carbohydrates per serving. One cup of cherries contains 17.7 g sugar, most in a combination of the 7.4 g fructose and 9.1 g glucose per cup. The remaining sugars are a combination of less than 1 g each of sucrose, maltose and galactose. One cup of cherries contains no starch and 2.9 g fiber, which is just over 10 percent of the DRI.
Protein
Cherries contain very little protein--one cup contains only 1.46 g. This protein is made up of small amounts of 18 different amino acids, but like all plant foods, cherries do not contain all of the essential amino acids and are not a complete protein.
Fat
Cherries also contain very little fat, with one cup containing only .3 g. This fat is a combination of trace amounts each of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Cherries contain no cholesterol and, in fact, contain phytosterols, which can help create lower cholesterol levels by competing for absorption with cholesterol.
Minerals
Cherries contain significant amounts of some minerals, while supplying very little of others. One cup of cherries has 15.3 percent of the DRI for potassium and 9.2 percent of the DRI for copper, but less than 5 percent of calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and selenium. Cherries contain no sodium.
Water-Soluble Vitamins
Cherries also supply varied amounts of water-soluble vitamins. One cup provides 12.9 percent of the DRI for vitamin C for women and 10.8 percent for men. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and is important for iron absorption. One cup also supplies approximately 5 percent of pantothenic acid and B6, but contains less than 4 percent of all other water-soluble vitamins, all of which are B vitamins.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Cherries supply very little fat-soluble vitamins. One cup provides 3.2 percent of the DRI for vitamin K and less than 1 percent of vitamins D, E and A.
Lutein
Cherries also contain lutein, a pigment in many plants that works as an antioxidant in the body. Lutein is thought to promote eye and cardiovascular health.
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