If you listen to health experts, you’ve probably heard a lot about superfoods and superfruits, which are potent, nutrient-rich foods that have been suggested as treatments for everything from curing arthritis pain, reducing muscle soreness and even prevent hair loss.
So, this begs the question, “Does Mother Nature offer a number of natural remedies that can in fact, reduce arthritis pain, stop headaches and even help you sleep better?” The answer to that question is a, Yes! In fact, a number of modern-day medicines are based on what is found in Mother Nature’s backyard.
Thus, the question arises: Could the superfruit, cherry juice, aid in the treatment of insomnia?
A popular sour-tasting fruit with French origins, the Montmorency cherry, may be the next superfruit for a restful night’s sleep, according to emerging research.
We’ll go over the research behind this discovery and other potential health advantages of tart cherries as well as whether drinking tart cherry juice aids in sleep.
Tart Cherries: What Are They?
Tart cherries are sour variants of common commercial cultivars like Montmorency, Bing, and Lambert.
The Montmorency cherry was first cultivated more than 400 years ago in the Montmorency Valley in France, hence its name.
In the United States, farmers first planted this fruit in the early 19th century; today, it accounts for 75% of all sour cherry production.
According to studies, consuming this juice might shorten the time it takes adults to fall asleep and increase their amount of sleep. A study found an average increase of 84 minutes. Two factors, according to experts, explain why this sour fruit enhances sleep.
- The first is that Montmorency cherries are a natural source of the melatonin hormone, which promotes sleep.
- Proanthocyanidins, which give this food its vivid red color, are the second.
- Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is said to be present in greater amounts thanks to proanthocyanidins. Tryptophan is converted by the brain into serotonin, which promotes sleep, when it is consumed. They come to the conclusion that the cherries might help with insomnia symptoms due to this unusual combination.
Additional Advantages of Tart Cherry Juice. Antioxidants.
Tart cherries have a high antioxidant content, like many berries. An antioxidant aids in the prevention of cell damage in living things, which, according to some research, may lower the risk of disease.
A Jet Lag Treatment.
This fruit might also function as a home remedy for jet lag. When your sleep schedule is disrupted by travel, try consuming this beverage to help you adjust to the time zone of your destination.
How to Avoid Jet Lag?
We discussed how these cherries can increase serotonin, which promotes sleep. Serotonin may also aid in inflammation, according to some researchers, though.
Recipe for tart cherry juice.
Ingredients.
- One ounce of concentrated tart cherry juice.
- Yogurt in the amount of 8 oz. with a small amount of water. Dairy-free alternatives like yogurt made from coconut or almonds are advised. This is due to the fact that dairy may cause gas and stomach pain as it digests more slowly than the other ingredients.
- A natural sweetener like Stevia, in ten drops. If your yogurt has already been sweetened, you might want to omit this ingredient.
Procedure.
- In a cup, pour the juice. (Optional) Include the sweetener. The yogurt and water mixture should be added. You should mix in 2 tablespoons to 1 cup of water for every 34 cup of yogurt. Mix thoroughly. A blender or by hand both work well for this.
Questions and Answers.
Is there a recommended dosage for cherry extract? According to a 2012 study, adults who drank two 1-ounce servings of tart cherry juice daily for a week experienced better sleep.
Do tart cherry capsules function more effectively?
To improve their sleep, some people might prefer to take cherry supplements. Capsules or juice may be preferred by some individuals over the other, but there isn’t concrete proof that either is superior to the other.
If you decide to use supplements instead, make sure they are specifically made from Montmorency cherries.
Where can I find Montmorency cherries?
Most people won’t be able to buy them fresh at the store; it’s usually simpler to find them in frozen, dried, or concentrated form. The reason is the tart cherry season is a short 4-weeks during the summer harvest month of July.