A pilot study shows that tart cherry juice (CherryPharm used in the study) has effects that improve insomnia conditions. The study examines 15 older adults with chronic insomnia, who are otherwise healthy. Consuming 8 ounces of tart cherry juice in the morning and night time for 2 weeks had significantly reduced participants’ insomnia severity, compared to a placebo beverage. Participants are also observed to have increased urinary melatonin concentrations, which is the chemical responsible for the sleep-wake cycle, often used for treating insomnia. Ultimately, it is concluded that the tart cherry juice blend has modest beneficial effects in older adults with insomnia.
Pigeon, Wilfred R, et al. “Effects of a Tart Cherry Juice Beverage on the Sleep of Older Adults with Insomnia: a Pilot Study.” Journal of Medicinal Food, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., June 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133468/.
