I am working on a new theory. Tart cherry juice is rich in melatonin or the precursor to melatonin. If I drank an 8 oz. bottle of tart cherry juice every day, would that elevate my blood levels of melatonin enough that it would help me sleep at night? And what would be the best time to drink the cherry juice?
What about tart cherry juice to increase my melatonin levels and what time of day should I drink it?
Question posted by yooper04 on 4 Aug 2012
Last updated on 14 January 2014
4 Answers
yooper04
12 Aug 2012
My comment so far is that i do not think the tart cherry juice helps all that much. Yes, it does most likely increase melatonin levels and for an average person that might be enough but for someone with chronic sleep problems it would be insufficient in and of itself.
However, the best purpose for tart cherry juice is for helping with arthritis pain and so it might be useful for my osteoarthritis problems. By the way, Knudsen makes the most palpatable tart cherry juice. All the others I have tried are really sour.
leehem
14 Jan 2014
I have been taking 2 TBSP. of Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate each night with dinner and have been sleeping better than I have in years. In fact, I have started dreaming again. I was only getting 5 -6 hours of sleep before and now am sleeping soundly for about 8 hours. I didn't even take it for the melatonin since I was more interested in the antioxidants.
Inactive
4 Aug 2012
Hello yooper04. If you believe or agree to the theroy/fact that Melatonin helps in sleep, then I might suggest by 16/30 hrs. Regards, pledge
yooper04
4 Aug 2012
Pledge,
We are fairly sure from the biological studies that the pineal gland makes melatonin when it begsins to get dark so that it aids in going to sleep. I have no idea what they do in Alaska in the summertime. Oh well.
I just learned recently something I had never realized. Serotonin helps in the production of melatonin. But if that is true, then why do I take an antidepressant late at night to help me sleep, with the understanding that that medication increases blood levels of serotonin? How does that help with sleep when it is already late at night?
kaismama
4 Aug 2012
You should try drinking it every night after dinner and see what happens. Our bodies only produce melatonin in the dark, so if its a precursor, I would think several hours before you need it would help. Let us know how your little experiment goes.
yooper04
4 Aug 2012
Tx to both of you for your suggestions. I remind you that before I engage in this experiment, tart cherry juice is so named for a good reason. Yes, it is very tart. My HS is usually around 2300 to 2330 so I think 1630-1730 sounds about right.
I thought a lot about this. Taking homeopathics with melatonin just do not do well for me and the melatonin gives me a headache. I thought something natural might work and not have the side effects.
I am thinking as well that it might take a few days to build up a blood level although not sure on that either.
Lisa01
5 Aug 2012
If it works that would be a wonderful solution for a lot of us! Be sure and post your results. If you react to sugar, getting a sugar "high" or buzz, you might want to check the amount, both natural and added, in your drink and adjust your times accordingly. Just a thought.
Lisa
yooper04
5 Aug 2012
There is very little sugar in tart cherry juice. It is a little sweeter than a raw persimmon so sugar is no problemo.
100% juice: 8 0z. contains 130 calories, 5 mg sodium, 290 mg Potassium, 32 g carbohydrate, 28 g sugar, 1 gm protein.
Note: this one has a little bit more sweetness because it also contains apple juice concentrate. My other container is pure tart cherry juice and has less gm sugar.
Lisa01
5 Aug 2012
Well I certainly hope it works for you. Please be sure and post your results. I'd be most interested in hearing about them! :)
Lisa
Inactive
4 Aug 2012
Why not just take a melatonin tablet? You don't need much - 1/2 of a 3 mg tablet is way more than the brain produces. Tart red cherry juice is also known for helping with arthritis. Regards - Elizajane
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