Between one in ten and one in twenty of us suffer from insomnia every night according to Dr Irshaad Ebrahim, Medical Director of the London Sleep Centre. The condition, caused either by stress, anxiety, being overweight or use of alcohol can lead to depression and anxiety reducing the bodys immune system function. With the expectations of a new year and the financial aftermath of Christmas beginning to weigh on peoples minds, insomnia can increase in prevalence between the months of January and February.
Research now indicates that cherry juice, one of the few known sources of melatonin, can improve the bodys circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns which is good news for those who struggle to get a good nights rest. Melatonin is natures sleep-regulating hormone. Produced naturally in the brain its levels can be increased through introducing foods naturally rich in the hormone to the diet.
Studies at the University of Texas Health Science Centre found tart Montmorency cherries contain 13.5 nanograms (ng) of melatonin per gram, an amount higher than normally found in the human blood system. Researchers from St. Marianna University of Japan also found that melatonin is easily absorbed from the diet and enters the blood stream whilst being capable of binding to sites in the brain therefore indicating that consumption of tart cherry juice can raise melatonin levels in the blood, improving the bodys natural sleep patterns.
Melatonin levels are usually maintained naturally, stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light. Levels are lower during the day and gradually increase as night falls to help induce sleep. Produced by the bodys pineal gland at the apex of the brain, melatonin has not only has been shown to help regulate the sleep-wake cycle but also helps with protecting the vascular system and reducing inflammation.
Reduced melatonin levels can lead to difficulty in initiating sleep, maintaining sleep and waking too soon from sleep, all cases of insomnia. Types of the condition include primary insomnia, where no connecting medical issues are involved and secondary insomnia when associated with a condition such as arthritis. Regular sleep patterns are essential to restore energy and give the body an opportunity to detoxify and repair whilst also protecting from chronic health problems including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Insomnia sufferers can find a natural boost to sleep levels with only ready to drink cherry juice, made from Montmorency cherries. Available in two great tasting flavours; Original Cherry and Cherry & Berry from most major supermarkets, Cherrygood offers an easy and delicious way to boost melatonin levels as well as providing an all-round anti-oxidant health benefit.
Cherrygood juices are made from Montmorency cherries, grown and harvested in Michigan, USA and can be found at www.cherrygood.com
National Sleep Foundation Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Night
AgeRecommended Sleep
Preschool 11-13 hours
Primary 10-12 hours
Pre-teen 9-11 hours
Teens and adults 7-8 hours
Fast facts on Montmorency cherries
A glass of tart cherry juice contains more antioxidants than five portions of banana, tomatoes, watermelon, peas and carrots. Antioxidants are vital to helping the body fight free radicals.
A glass of tart cherry juice provides the same antioxidant health benefits as 23 portions of fruit and vegetables.
The Montmorency cherry, grown in the U.S. has the highest antioxidant level of any fruit with 17 different antioxidant compounds present. Cherries contain 19 times more beta-carotene than blueberries or strawberries along with Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron and folate. Tart cherries are one of the very few known food sources of melatonin, crucial to the maintenance of our circadian rhythms and regular sleep patterns.
Research has found that the anti-inflammatory properties of tart cherries significantly reduce muscle pain following rigorous exercise. Maintaining antioxidant levels boosts the cardiovascular system and the immune system as well as helping to slow the ageing process. Drinking cherry juice has been shown to help lower blood uric-acid levels and reduce gout pain.
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