Does Tart Cherry Juice Help You Seep Better?

We share the best ways to drink tart cherry juice before going to bed ad explain its benefits for your health.
By
Romeo Vitelli
Romeo Vitelli
Expert Writer
Received his doctorate in Psychology in 1987, spent fifteen years as a staff psychologist in Millbrook Correctional Centre. In 2003 went into full-time private practice. read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Medical Advisory Team
Medical Advisory Team
Includes well-known professionals, who together provide decades of sleep medicine experience that enables Talk About Sleep to fulfill its mission of creating access to high- read more
Last updated: August 17, 2023
TalkAboutSleep is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Are you looking for a natural and easy way to boost your immunity or fight insomnia? Tart cherry juice is what you need! Tart cherry juice basically comes from Montmorency cherries Trusted Source Montmorency cherry - Wikipedia The Montmorency cherry is a variety of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) grown in Europe, Canada, and the United States, particularly in the Grand Traverse Bay region of Northwest Michigan and in Door County, Wisconsin. Montmorency cherries are part of the lighter-red Amarelle cultivar of sour cherries, rather than the darker-red Morello cultivar. Michigan produces over 90,000 tons of Montmorency cherries each year. en.wikipedia.org . They’re famous for their sour and strong taste. These are not just a great option if you like the flavor of cherries but also come with a variety of health benefits. But should you drink tart cherry juice before sleep?

Below, we consider some of the most essential health benefits of this drink, some recipes you can use, and explain how to take it before bed.

Tart Cherry Juice Nutrition Facts

Recent research has shown that they are great for helping you get better sleep and also for exercise recovery. You may be wondering what special properties tart cherries have, they contain a variety of nutrients including magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and potassium. Potassium is especially great for you if you have blood pressure issues since it will keep your blood pressure in check and also reduce your chances of suffering from a stroke.

Let’s look at all the nutritional benefits Trusted Source A Review of the Health Benefits of Cherries Increased oxidative stress contributes to development and progression of several human chronic inflammatory diseases. Cherries are a rich source of polyphenols and vitamin C which have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our aim is to summarize results from human studies regarding health benefits of both sweet and tart cherries, including products made from them (juice, powder, concentrate, capsules); all referred to as cherries here. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov of tart cherry juice in more detail:

Magnesium

Magnesium is a great source of energy, and it really boosts your exercise performance since it is able to move blood sugar into your muscle. Magnesium supplements are great for athletes looking to boost their performance. They are also great for old people looking to boost their immunity. So in case you need cherry supplements, tart cherry juice is a great option.

Calcium

By consuming tart cherry juice, you also get a good intake of calcium. Calcium is great for your bones and also calms the nerves in your body so they can function smoothly.

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral for growth and development. It helps your body make hemoglobin which provides oxygen to muscles and organs.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus has a variety of benefits for your body including generating proteins for your body’s growth, maintenance, and repair. Tart cherry juice is a rich and safe source of phosphorus that you will also enjoy drinking.

What Does It Taste Like?

You might be curious about how this unfamiliar flavor tastes. To answer your question, tart cherry juice is not the only tart but also has hints of sweet flavor as well. It tastes somewhat similar to unfiltered red wine. People have described its flavors as bold and rich. If you want to drink an unsweetened tart cherry drink, then you should consider the Dynamic Health Organic Tart Cherry. Not only is this drink packed with flavor, but it is also vegan and gluten-free.

If you are looking for a tart cherry drink that is sweet, then you should consider the Cheribundi Original Tart Cherry Juice. This sweet drink is balanced with flavor and tastes like cherry pie when it’s served cold.

How to Drink It?

Tart cherry juice can be consumed in many different ways. You can even consume it directly from the box or you can follow the following recipe:

Ingredients

  • Does Tart Cherry Juice Help You Seep Better?1 ounce of tart cherry juice
  • 8 ounces of water or any other dairy-free option
  • 10 drops of sweetener, i.e. yogurt or stevia

Tart Cherry Juice Recipe for Sleep

  1. To make a cup of tart cherry juice, get the concentrate and pour it into the juice
  2. Next, add the sweetener. This step is optional
  3. Then add in water or your choice of dairy product and mix it well together
  4. You can either mix by hand or by using a blender. Once your drink is fully mixed, it is ready to be served

How Much Should You Drink?

Tart cherry juice has many benefits that can help protect us from arthritis, inflammation, pain, and help us with sleep. However, you need to be careful about the amount of tart cherry juice that you drink.

Medically, it is recommended to have 16 ounces of tart cherries per day. This is equivalent to 16 ounces of 100% pure tart cherry juice per day. Consuming this much amount of tart cherry juice can have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and melatonin effects on your body.

While you may think that this is an excessive amount, many researchers and doctors have come to the conclusion that this much consumption of tart cherry juice is not only safe but also extremely beneficial for your body. With the passage of time, you will greatly see the effect in your body.

Timing Instructions

Tart cherry juice is a great drink that is not just flavorful but also beneficial for your health. While you can drink it at any time of the day, most health experts recommend you drink it before bed. This is due to the fact that tart cherry juice aids in sleep improvement and drinking before bed can be especially beneficial if you suffer from a disturbed sleep routine.

Is It Safe for Kids?

Generally, health experts recommend tart cherry juice as a natural source to help kids sleep in order to avoid giving them anything medicinal. That being said, you should definitely consult a pediatrician before giving the juice to your kids.

Also, make sure that your kids are not allergic to tart cherries so that you can avoid any mishap. The recommended amount for kids is less than 25 grams per day. You should also make sure that there is little to no sugar in the juice so that kids do not get a sugar rush after drinking tart cherry juice.

Will Any Cherry Juice Work?

Not all cherries have a high concentration of melatonin. Cherries such as Montmorency, Richmond, and English Morello cherries have high melatonin content. These cherries are usually tart or sour. Their juice works well for sleep and other health benefits.

On the other hand, if you take cherry juice from a cocktail, then it won’t be as pure as tart cherry juice. Such juices might be packed with flavor, but they do not offer the same health benefits that are offered in tart cherry juice. Therefore, not all cherry juices work the same.

Health Benefits of Drinking Tart Cherry Juice Before Bed

Tart cherry juice is not only a delicious drink, but it’s also packed with numerous health benefits. Following are the health benefits of drinking tart cherry juice:

  1. Nutrient-Rich

Tart cherry juice is a great source of many vital nutrients. One serving (8 ounces) of tart cherry juice usually contains the following:

  • 28 grams of carbs
  • 5 grams of fiber
  • 2 grams of protein
  • 1 gram of fat
  • Vitamin A, C, and K
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Copper
  • Traces of vitamin B, calcium, iron, and omega 3,6 fats

Apart from these important nutrients, tart cherry juice is a great way to help increase the antioxidant level in your body. Bright red cherries are known for their tartness and serve as a great source of these nutrients.

  1. Increased Strength

If you are someone who engages in physical activities, then you should definitely consider drinking tart cherry juice. Tart cherry juice is ideal for increasing muscle strength as well as reducing soreness after a long day or workout.

Usually, active people take tart cherry juice before bed that helps with muscle breakdown reduction. The drink also helps with recovery when it comes to muscle soreness.

  1. Improved Sleep Cycle

Insomnia can be pretty frustrating because it ends up affecting your daily activities. Track your sleep with a sleep tracker and if you have a disturbed sleep cycle, then include a serving of tart cherry juice in your daily life.

Rich in melatonin and tryptophan, tart cherry juice serves as a great solution to sleeplessness. Drinking tart cherry juice, especially before bed, helps improve your sleep quality as it stimulates the body to produce more melatonin, a hormone known for encouraging sleepiness. You can even sleep with some white noise machine or sleep masks to ensure that you get a healthy amount of sleep every night.

  1. Reduced Risk of Arthritis and Gout

Packed with antioxidants, tart cherry juice can help reduce any kind of inflammation. It is especially useful if you are suffering from joint pain or arthritis. Women who suffer from osteoarthritis are also advised to increase their intake of tart cherry juice as it helps reduce pain.

Gout is also common among many old people where they suffer from constant swelling and pain in their body. This can get extremely unbearable at times which is why most people help deal with the pain by drinking tart cherry juice.

Tart cherry juice also helps reduce the uric acid level in the body. Uric acid can also trigger gout when it gets extremely concentrated in your bloodstream. Drinking tart cherry juice can help reduce the harmful uric acid and therefore, reduce the chances for gout to get too painful in your body.

  1. Improved Brain Activity

When it comes to functioning, our brain is our biggest asset. Diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s can affect our brain activity, especially if the body is under oxidative stress.

Since tart cherry juice is rich in antioxidants, it can not only help improve brain activity and health but also help prevent such degenerative brain diseases. Drinking this juice improves your day-to-day functioning.

Most research has also pointed out the benefits of tart cherry juice when it comes to verbal fluency as well as long- and short-term memory.

  1. Improved Immune System

As mentioned above, tart cherry juice is rich in a variety of minerals and nutrients that can help boost the health of your body.

When it comes to body health, our immune system plays a very important role in defending our body against any harmful, foreign particles. Tart cherry juice helps strengthen our immune system and thereby, helps our body stay safe and healthy. The antioxidants in the juice also reduce any chance of infections.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Despite all the benefits that tart cherry juice might have, you should always control the amount that you drink as it can result in the following:

  1. Gastrointestinal Problems

Does Tart Cherry Juice Help You Seep Better?

Excessive consumption of tart cherry juice can also be dangerous as it can result in abdominal pain or even diarrhea in some cases. Since tart cherry juice is rich in sorbitol, it can act as a natural laxative, thereby affecting your gastrointestinal issues. It might even result in problems such as IBS or Crohn’s disease. People who drink tart cherry juice might face issues such as bloating or even gas.

  1. Weight Gain

If you are someone who is conscious about their weight, then you should be careful about the amount of tart cherry juice that you drink. Since most tart cherry juices are sweetened, they can be harmful to your body. Many people might drink them casually but eventually, end up facing any type of weight gain.

  1. Blood Thinning

Tart cherry juice also contains high amounts of quercetin. This is a plant compound that can often react with any medication that you are taking and eventually result in blood thinning. Drinking tart cherry juice can also result in your blood-thinning up which can lead to further problems. Therefore, you should always be careful about the amount of tart cherry juice that you drink.

Final Thoughts

Tart cherry juice is not just a flavorful, delicious drink but it also has many useful benefits. Apart from its aid in sleeping, tart cherry juice is also packed with antioxidants and many other minerals that can contribute to your good health. Not only will you end up sleeping well but you will also get an improved immune system and have your brain activity improve.

Tart cherry juice before sleep has numerous health benefits, and it is definitely a drink that you should consider!

References

1.
Montmorency cherry - Wikipedia
The Montmorency cherry is a variety of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) grown in Europe, Canada, and the United States, particularly in the Grand Traverse Bay region of Northwest Michigan and in Door County, Wisconsin. Montmorency cherries are part of the lighter-red Amarelle cultivar of sour cherries, rather than the darker-red Morello cultivar. Michigan produces over 90,000 tons of Montmorency cherries each year.
2.
A Review of the Health Benefits of Cherries
Increased oxidative stress contributes to development and progression of several human chronic inflammatory diseases. Cherries are a rich source of polyphenols and vitamin C which have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our aim is to summarize results from human studies regarding health benefits of both sweet and tart cherries, including products made from them (juice, powder, concentrate, capsules); all referred to as cherries here.
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

X