Tart Cherry Juice Could Be a Natural Sleep Aid

It’s unclear how it stacks up to other natural sleep aids, such as chamomile tea, magnesium, or milk.

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In a world buzzing with constant distractions and endless to-do lists, getting a good night’s sleep often feels like an elusive dream. With a flood of sleep aids, tips, and tricks claiming to be the magic bullet, figuring out what really works can feel overwhelming.

With its supposed anti-inflammatory properties and high levels of sleep-regulating melatonin, tart cherry juice has been hyped as a natural remedy to improve sleep quality and duration. But is this tart drink truly the sleep solution it’s cracked up to be, or just another trend that falls short of its promises? While its effectiveness was initially questioned, recent studies suggest that it may indeed have a positive influence on sleep.

Emerging Research on Tart Cherry Juice

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food suggested that a tart cherry juice blend might have a modest impact on sleep in older adults with insomnia, showing effects similar to those found in studies on melatonin and valerian—two of the most researched natural sleep aids.