Having just started menopause, in addition to everything else, I was having trouble falling and staying asleep.  A friend recommended taking Tart Cherry Juice.  Never having had insomnia before, I was willing to try just about anything. I took 2 tablespoons of Tart Cherry Concentrate in a glass of water an hour before bed and was amazed by how quickly and well it worked! Best night’s sleep in I can’t remember how long!  Of course, I then went into a deep dive about why it worked (there is a lot of research!) and found that there are a ton of benefits to drinking Tart Cherry Juice: it can help you sleep, fights inflammation, boosts immunity and promotes brain health. ​​​​​​​

WOW but why?

Tart cherry juice is loaded with nutrients your body needs for optimal health. It is an excellent source of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and an impressive amount of potassium, a nutrient that plays a large role in regulating blood pressure and reducing the risk of stroke.  It also has high amounts of anthocyanin, a phytonutrient found in purple foods. Anthocyanin are anti-inflammatory compounds that promote anti-inflammatory processes in the body, which increases the bioavailability of tryptophan and increases your body’s production of melatonin, which in turn increases sleep time and sleep efficiency.

Anthocyanins may even help to combat some chronic diseases. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, tart cherry juice significantly reduced inflammation biomarkers that are common in chronic diseases and cancers. And these anti-inflammatory properties may provide needed relief for people with arthritis. Studies show that tart cherries can help reduce the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and other joint pain disorders.

But that’s not all.  A recent study showed that tart cherries improved memory and brain cognizant concluding “The potential beneficial effects of tart cherries may be related to the bioactive compounds they possess, which include polyphenols, anthocyanins and melanin. They may also be related to tart cherry’s potential blood-pressure lowering effects, outlined in a previous study we conducted in the same population, as blood pressure can influence blood flow to the brain.”

Hmmm… better sleep, less aches and pains and improved memory? Taking Tart Cherry Juice is a no brainer for me!