Insomnia plagues a good portion of the population and those who have to deal with it are always searching for any remedy that will allow them to get a good night’s sleep. Current research, though, has uncovered a surprising breakthrough in a natural sleep remedy – tart cherry.
The ‘European Journal of Nutrition’ recently published the results of a study conducted by a team of researchers from all over the globe. They concluded that adults who drank two glasses of tart cherry juice daily enjoyed longer sleep, an average of 39 minutes longer and an increase of as much as 6% in overall sleep efficiency. In short, subjects were sleeping more and sleeping more soundly. Their quality of sleep had improved.
The study sample consisted of 20 healthy adults. Some of the participants were given two 30 milliliter servings of Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate diluted in a half pint of water. Other participants were given another type of juice that was not cherry. Participants drank the juice every day for seven days; one glass upon waking and the other before going to bed. The sleep habits of each participant was monitored and researchers found that the group that drank the cherry juice experienced a significant improvement in quality of sleep.
Scientists speculate that the reason tart cherry juice works so well for improving sleep because it has a high melatonin content. Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the brain and is vital to regulating sleep.
Previous studies have suggested the use of tart cherries to improve sleep. There have been several studies that have shown a direct link between the tasty little fruit and a good night’s sleep. As more people are turning to natural remedies as opposed to over the counter medications or prescription medications that may be addictive, this tart cherry remedy may be just what the doctor ordered.