We've all been there: lying in bed at night, tossing and turning, wishing there was a magical way that could help you fall asleep instantly, instead of counting down the hours until you'll need to get out of bed. While we don't yet have an instant sleep aid, tart cherry juice comes close. Many people find that drinking tart cherry juice cocktails can make it easier to fall and stay asleep.
Here, we'll explore what tart cherry juice is, the science behind sleep and tart cherry juice, recipes you can try at home to incorporate tart cherry juice into your nighttime routine, additional natural remedies that can help you drift off, and when it's a good idea to reach out to a professional if you're not getting the sleep you need.
What is tart cherry juice?
Tart cherry juice comes from Montmorency cherries. These sour fruits have a hint of sweetness, but are nothing like the cherries we typically buy in the grocery store during the warmer months. It's rare that sour cherries are eaten raw. Usually, they're used for juice, or sweetened and used for pie filling.
In addition to helping with sleep, some of the health benefits of tart cherry juice include:
- Muscle soreness relief: Tart cherry juice may help to relieve muscle soreness, especially after a tough workout
- Osteoarthritis symptom relief: Some people with osteoarthritis find that including cherry juice in their routine helps to alleviate soreness, pain, and inflammation.
- Immune system support: Tart cherry juice is high in antioxidants, which may help to support a healthy immune system, improve heart health, and reduce inflammation in the body.
- Cancer prevention: Studies have shown that tart cherry juice reduced the amount and size of tumors in mice (more research is needed).
While research on the effectiveness of tart cherry juice is ongoing, many people find that the anti-inflammatory effects help to improve overall wellness.
The science behind tart cherry juice and sleep
Many people find that drinking tart cherry juice at night helps them get better sleep. This can be especially true for people who struggle with insomnia. Current research shows that tart cherry juice both increases sleep time and efficiency, meaning the sleep people get after drinking tart cherry juice helps them feel more well-rested.
Tart cherry juice contains both melatonin and tryptophan, both of which can help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that helps signal to the brain that it's time to sleep. Tryptophan is an amino acid that supports the body's ability to produce melatonin.
It's thought that drinking tart cherry juice before bed helps to increase the amount of melatonin available to the body. If you prefer not to drink tart cherry juice, you may find that taking a tart cherry juice supplement in the form of a tablet or capsule has a similar effect.
Sleep cocktail recipes
Thinking about trying tart cherry juice for sleep? It's best to drink your cherry juice (or cherry juice cocktail) about an hour before you plan to go to sleep. It's a good idea to opt for a sugar-free version of tart cherry juice, as standard sweetened versions can pack more than 30 grams of sugar per cup.
Try these recipes to enjoy a delicious tart cherry juice cocktail before you turn in for the night:
- Cherry-lime spritzer: Combine 4 oz. tart cherry juice, 4 oz. lime flavored sparkling water, and the juice of 1 lime wedge
- Apple cider sleep tonic: Combine 4 oz. tart cherry juice, 1/2 tbs. apple cider vinegar, 4 oz. sparkling water, and 4 frozen cherries
- Nighttime cocktail: Combine 1 tablespoon honey, 4 oz. tart cherry juice, 1 tbs. fresh orange juice, 1 tbs. orange flavored sparkling water
Other natural remedies for sleep
If you need some more help getting the sleep you need at night, you may be interested in trying other natural remedies that can support your body's sleep cycles, including:
- Melatonin supplements: Melatonin can be used for occasional sleeplessness, and may help to support recovery from sleep phase issues.
- Magnesium supplements: Magnesium supplements can help to promote muscle relaxation, which can make it easier to fall asleep.
- Chamomile tea: This pantry staple is known for its mild sedative effects.
- Passionflower supplements: Once used as a sedative by Native American Indians, passionflower is now a commonly used supplement helpful for treating pain, anxiety, and sleep problems.
- Valerian root tea: Also available as a supplement, valerian root is known for its natural sedative effects.
When to be concerned about sleep loss
Sleep deprivation occurs when you aren't getting enough sleep, or when the quality of your sleep is too low to restore your body and mind. Occasional sleep loss happens to all of us, but ongoing sleep loss can majorly interfere with your life. Typically, conditions that cause sleep loss are treatable.
See a doctor if:
- You're unable to get quality sleep, or enough sleep, for four weeks or more, and you're finding that your lack of sleep is interfering with your daily functioning
- You wake up gasping for air in the middle of the night
- You've noticed changes in your sleep since starting a new medication
- You find that you have trouble sleeping because of heartburn
- You wake up due to physical pain in your body
- You or those close to you have noticed changes in your mood or appetite
At Evidation, we're here to support all facets of your health, from sleep to exercise and more
If you're working to become your healthiest self, we're glad that you're here, and we can't wait to support you. The Evidation app works by using the health data you choose to share to find connections and provide you with personalized insights that can help drive your health forward. Your privacy is our top concern, and we only use the data with your permission. Whether you're working to improve your sleep, incorporate more nutrient-dense foods into your diet, or have another health goal, we're here to help. Click here to download our free app and learn more about how Evidation works.
