A little back story she plays for Northern Ireland and they lost against Turkey today :(, it's a world cup qualifier so of course she was a little stressed out she was face timing us and told me Cherry juice is a great sleep aid so of course I had to check it out heres what I found.
It's one of the few food sources of melatonin the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Tart cherries (Montmorency variety especially) contain naturally occurring melatonin.
It also raises tryptophan levels an amino acid your body converts into serotonin and then melatonin.
What the research shows:
- Studies have found it can increase sleep time by 30–84 minutes
- Improves sleep efficiency (less time lying awake)
- May help with insomnia, particularly in older adults
How to use it:
- Drink 8 oz of tart cherry juice (unsweetened) about 1–2 hours before bed
- Or take a tart cherry concentrate or capsule supplement
- Consistency matters benefits tend to build over a few days
Worth knowing: It's tart (Montmorency) cherries specifically, not sweet cherries or cherry-flavored drinks. Also, juice can be high in natural sugar, so the concentrate or supplement form may be better if you're watching carbs.
It's not a magic bullet, but it's one of the more evidence-backed natural sleep supports alongside magnesium glycinate and good sleep hygiene.
Amazing mother nature is truly amazing. is this news to you or did you know it already or have you tried it.