When insomnia hits, whether it’s short-term or chronic, it guarantees an awful night for anyone. You might have tried hot tea or milk or supplements of all kinds, but if none of those things work, where else are you supposed to turn?
Can cherries help you sleep? The question may sound odd to ask, but cherries are actually on the list of foods that contain the chemicals we use to promote a healthy sleep cycle. They stack up well on the same list as:
These foodstuffs get their restful properties from tryptophan, magnesium, calcium, or Vitamin B6. These kinds of vitamins and minerals push the body to produce melatonin, a well-known chemical that aids in sleep.
If you’ve been unable to find relief from these other sources, cherries may be just what you’re looking for.
* Better sleep in every bite: Keeping your energy up throughout the busy holiday season can be a challenge, but cherries can help you sleep better and feel more rested. Studies show that cherries are a natural source of melatonin, which helps control your body’s internal clock and regulate your sleep patterns.
Cherries provide a whole host of health benefits, so pull out the cherries you put up, dried or froze this summer and feel good about enjoying that slice of cherry pie. Here are six reasons why:
While fresh cherries are available only in the summer months, frozen or preserved cherries are an excellent alternative that allow you to enjoy the health benefits of cherries year-round. Northwest Cherry Growers recommend the following easy-to-make sweet cherry pie recipe to celebrate the season:
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 55-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is steadily bubbling. Aluminum foil may be used around the crust edges to prevent browning during the second half of the bake. Transfer the pie to a cooling rack, and most importantly, allow the pie to cool completely before serving (3-4 hours).
3. Fill pie dish with cherries and blend the remaining volume (about 2 cups or 1/4 the total volume) into a puree. Pour the remaining whole cherries into a mixing bowl and return to the refrigerator (if using frozen cherries).
6. Pour the cooled mixture over the whole cherries, gently stirring to incorporate. Pour the final cherry mixture into a 9- or 10-inch prepared pie crust, and top with a second crust. Pinch, crimp and vent the top crust. Brush with a beaten egg if so desired and sprinkle lightly with coconut sugar.
How to Use Cherries to Sleep
Sweet and tart cherries both have decent levels of melatonin in them — so when you ask “can cherries help you sleep,” you’ll find that both varieties answer with a resounding, “YES!”
What really differs is the quantity. To get enough melatonin to affect your sleep cycle, you would need to eat either twenty-five tart cherries or a hundred sweet ones.
That’s more than most people feel comfortable eating in one sitting, so people that are wanting to use cherries as a sleep aid usually get the proper portion from a concentrated juice. Taken about an hour before going to sleep, this single refreshing glass can be a one-way ticket to a good night’s sleep.
You deserve rest to face the world with a clear head. So can cherries help you sleep? It may differ from person to person and it might take a few days. But when investing in your mental and physical health, it’s absolutely worth considering!
The Best Cherry Pie Recipe
FAQ
Does eating cherries make you sleepy?
Are cherries good to eat before bed?
Is cherry pie filling good for you?
Is Cherry Pie good for your heart?
Does tart cherry juice help with sleep apnea?
In a small 2018 study, tart cherry juice was analyzed for its potential to stave away insomnia in a small group of adults over 50 years of age. These adults were administered a 240-milliliter (about one cup) serving of a placebo or cherry juice for two weeks, twice a day, with a two-week washout.
Do cherries help with sleep?
Only wild cherries, as they have a substance called phytomelatonin, which acts like our natural melatonin in the body, improving the quality of sleep. There are even some sleep medications made from the cherry.
Does Montmorency cherries improve sleep?
The experts from this study point to two reasons why this tart fruit improves sleep. The first is that Montmorency cherries are a natural source of melatonin a hormone that helps facilitate sleep. 2 The second reason is proanthocyanidins, which give this food its bright red color.
Should you eat Cherries before bed?
To help with sleep, Czerwony suggests eating cherries about an hour before bed. You can either drink tart cherry juice, which can be found at most grocers, or eat the fruit whole, which may be harder to find fresh but is often frozen or dried. “If you’re using juice, make sure it’s unsweetened juice without added sugar,” says Czerwony.