The Wonders of Tart Cherry Juice ~ Natural Sleep Tonic

The natural benefits of the ruby red fruit.

As a child in Iran I remember sour cherries being used in many dishes. In a few of the beautiful rice dishes tart cherries are used for their jewel like color and delicious taste. They also use it as a jam in the morning with freshly baked naan and feta cheese. The sour cherries make your taste buds sing, and now I am discovering all the beneficial properties that are packed into these little gems. I have been drinking a glass of tart cherry juice every night an hour before bed, and it has helped me sleep deeply and through the night. It turns out sour cherry juice works with melatonin in your system and also reduces inflammation in the body. “Cherry juice is a natural source of the sleep-wake cycle hormone melatonin and amino acid tryptophan, says study coauthor Frank L. Greenway, director of the outpatient research clinic at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at LSU. “Proanthocyanidins, or the ruby red pigments in tart cherry juice, contain an enzyme that reduces inflammation and decreases the breakdown of tryptophan, letting it go to work longer in your body,” he says. Montmorency cherries are particularly high in those compounds.

Cherries are also high in potassium and carry an abundance of antioxidants. The cherries are immune boosters and perfect to give to children who have sleep issues.

My cup of chamomile tea has now been switched out for a glass of tart cherry juice. I just mix a tablespoon in water. I have been using the Stanton Orchards Concentrate Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice, but they seem to only come in large cases. I will look at some other brands , but for now love this one that comes from a family orchard. Other great ideas for cherry juice: drizzle over pancakes, use over snow cones or ice-cream, add to your water. My favorite after dinner treat is vanilla yogurt drizzled with cherry juice ~