by Tonie Benally
08/25/2021 – If you are having trouble getting enough sleep, then you might want to drink a glass of Montmorency tart cherry juice an hour before you go to bed.
Also known as sour cherries, Montmorency tart cherries are a rich source of antioxidants that are known to provide you with many health benefits. These include fighting inflammation, reducing muscle soreness and strengthening the immune system.
Now, you can add promoting better sleep to that list.
A 2017 study found that taking a glass of Montmorency tart cherry juice prior to hitting the sack can help extend your sleep by up to 84 minutes.
Fight insomnia with Montmorency tart cherry juice
Insomnia doesn’t just leave you feeling tired during the day. In recent years, it has also been linked to diabetes, dementia, depression, stroke and even cancer. At the same time, it’s estimated that about one-third of all adults suffer from occasional bouts of insomnia.
Meanwhile, Montmorency tart cherries have long had a reputation for helping improve sleep.
With this in mind, researchers from Louisiana State University, with partial funding by the Cherry Marketing Institute, looked into how Montmorency tart cherries may benefit insomniacs. They published their findings in the American Journal of Therapeutics.
“Insomnia is quite common among older adults and it can lead to a range of health issues if left untreated,” said lead researchers Jack Losso. “However, many people are hesitant to resort to medications to help them sleep. That’s why natural sleep remedies are increasingly of interest and in demand.”
The study involved participants who struggled to sleep at least three times a week. The participants were split into two groups, one which drank tart cherry juice twice a day and another that did the same with a placebo.
After two weeks, the researchers found that sleep efficiency increased in those who drank the Montmorency tart cherry juice twice a day.
Upon analyzing blood samples from all participants, the researchers found that those who drank tart cherry juice had reduced levels of kynurenine. Numerous studies have shown that kynurenine contributes to sleep disturbances.
In addition, the researchers also found that the tart cherry juice increased the amount of tryptophan in the blood. This amino acid is known to help induce sleepiness.
Looking further, the researchers also noted that the tart cherry juice inhibited the production of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). This is an enzyme that’s known to slow down the release of tryptophan.
Other benefits of Montmorency tart cherry juice
Helping you sleep better is just one of the many benefits of drinking Montmorency tart cherry juice. Over the years, scientists and researchers have also noted a number of other benefits that it can provide.
Studies show that tart cherry juice may be able to:
– Reduce muscle soreness – A study among runners showed that those who took tart cherry juice experienced less pain during and after races.
– Reduce symptoms of arthritis – Tart cherry juice has been shown to reduce certain blood markers for inflammation in women with osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis.
– Promote brain health – Degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are thought to be caused in part by oxidative stress. Meanwhile, Montmorency tart cherries and their juice contain large amounts of antioxidants and other plant compounds that can protect your brain cells from oxidative stress.
– Strengthen the immune system – Montmorency tart cherry juice is rich in vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that are known to boost your immune system. In one study involving runners, those who took tart cherry juice in the days leading up to a marathon race did not experience upper respiratory tract infections. The latter is something commonly experienced by runners after a race.
