Posted on 07/12/2010 10:55:03 AM PDT by decimon
Researchers find red hot Super Fruit aids sleep in older adults
LANSING, Mich., July 12, 2010 – Drinking tart cherry juice daily could help reduce the severity of insomnia and time spent awake after going to sleep, according to a new study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food1.
A team of University of Pennsylvania, University of Rochester and VA Center of Canandaigua researchers conducted a pilot study on the sleep habits of 15 older adults. The adults drank 8 ounces of tart cherry juice beverage (CheriBundi www.cheribundi.com) in the morning and evening for 2 weeks, and a comparable matched juice drink, with no tart cherry juice, for another 2 week period. There were significant reductions in reported insomnia severity and the adults saved about 17 minutes of wake time after going to sleep, on average, when drinking cherry juice daily, compared to when they were drinking the juice drink.
Ongoing sleep issues plague more than 40 million adults and another 20 million experience occasional sleep disruptions, putting their health and wellbeing at risk, and leaving many Americans on a quest for sleep solutions, according to the National Institutes of Health. Americans spend more than $84 million on over-the-counter sleep aids each year2.
The researchers suspect tart cherries' natural benefits could be due in part to their relatively high content of melatonin – a natural antioxidant in cherries with established ability to help moderate the body's sleep-wake cycle. Produced naturally by the body in small amounts, melatonin plays a role in inducing sleepiness at night and wakefulness during the day.
Russel J. Reiter, Ph.D, a biomedical scientist at the University of Texas Health Science Center and one of the world's leading authorities on melatonin, says while melatonin supplement pills have been heavily promoted as a sleep aid, foods such as cherries – available year-round as dried, frozen and juice – may be a better alternative for boosting the body's own supply of melatonin. "When consumed regularly, tart cherries may help regulate the body's natural sleep cycle and increase sleep efficiency, including decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep," says Reiter. "And, because cherries are so rich in other antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, you get other important health benefits."
The Power of Red
Not only is melatonin linked to sleep, but research suggests melatonin can be a powerful antioxidant, helping reduce age-related inflammation and fighting free radicals in the body. Beyond melatonin, cherries are packed with other powerful antioxidant compounds, including anthocyanins – the compounds responsible for cherries' bright red color. A growing body of science indicates that cherries may help reduce inflammation, aid muscle recovery and reduce risk factors of age-related conditions.
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To learn more about choosing cherries and for easy-to-follow recipes, visit choosecherries.com.
The Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI) is an organization funded by North American tart cherry growers and processors. CMI's mission is to increase the demand for tart cherries through promotion, market expansion, product development and research. For more information on the science supporting the unique health benefits of cherries and for cherry recipes and menu ideas, visit www.choosecherries.com.
Sources:
1. Pigeon WR, Carr M, Gorman C, Perlis ML. Effects of tart cherry juice beverage on the sleep of older adults with insomnia: a pilot study. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2010;13:579-583.
2. Hossain JL, Shapiro CM. The prevalence, cost implications, and management of sleep disorders: an overview. Sleep and Breathing. 2002;6:85-102.
Ping
I suggest 3-4 shots of George Dickel Number 12.
Tarts cause insomnia.
So CheriBundi has a warehouse full of tart cherry juice that they can’t get rid of, so they hire some eggheads with too much time on their hands and a need for extra dough along with an underpaid “science” journalist to put this thing together.
Very neat.
And all this time I’ve been taking it to prevent kidney stones. DOH!
As explained by a lack of cherries.
President Zachary Taylor died from eating too many cherries...I think I’ll just have a snort or two and nod off.
Thanks.
Another big opportunity I missed.
New study suggests tart cherry juice can be a natural solution for insomnia
It only works if used in equal amount of vodka.
Many a time I can remember sleeping good after having a little ‘tart’. ;-)
A bit of Leno...and I’m out like a light.
I have a book on Queueing Theory that I’ve never finished since I bought it 15 years ago...
What about cherry pie?
I'm gonna make a burger in a little while...fresh bun, tomato, lettuce, swiss cheese, mayo.....only 100 calories (wink, wink) because I made it at home and didn't get it from that fat factory....McDonalds.
No thanks, I just had lunch.
I guess pie is okay if the cherries are tart.
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