Tart Cherry Juice: More than nature’s sleep aid

August 16, 2017, 2017
By: Morgan Giannattasio

Tart Cherry Juice Smoothie

Potential Benefits

Tart cherry juice has received a lot of praise in the scientific community for its health qualities in the prevention of chronic diseases and as a natural sleep aid. This juice is packed with antioxidants that have been shown to decrease the incidence of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic inflammatory conditions. Also tart cherry juice may impact muscle repair and sports injuries in the athletic community.

Anthocyanins

Tart cherries naturally contain a high amount of anthocyanins, a color pigment and powerful antioxidant. Anthocyanins can help improve circulation, decrease the presence of free radicals that cause cellular and vascular damage, and improve nerve function, which is why this juice is much more than a sleep aid.

A Natural Sleep Aid

Insomnia is a debilitating condition that affects more than 30% of the population at some point in their lives. Insomnia not only affects a person’s ability to fall and stay asleep but can affect many aspects of their lives. Many prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids are known to have potential harmful side effects as well as drug nutrient interactions that may lead to more harm than good. Therefore, recommending tart cherry juice as a natural sleep aid may help patients stay clear of potentially harmful side effects and drug dependency.

To help with sleep duration and quality, it is recommended that a person drink 1-2 servings of tart cherry juice per day. Researchers of one study found that drinking two servings of this juice, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, significantly improved sleep duration and sleep quality in subjects.

Getting regular good quality sleep is important for both physical and mental health and may impact weight gain and the onset of chronic conditions.  Sleep health is an integral part of a person’s overall well-being and health and should not be overlooked during counseling sessions.

Tart Cherry Juice

Recipe: Tart Cherry Juice Smoothie

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup tart cherry juice
  • 1 medium banana
  • ½ cup vanilla almond milk
  • ½ cup frozen blueberries
  • 1-2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
  1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving: 6 oz

137 calories, 1g fat, 32g carbohydrate (16g sugar, 2g fiber), 1g protein, 54 mg sodium