Older people often have insomnia, but standard medications can increase falls and have other side effects. In this pilot study, eight adults over age 50 with confirmed insomnia took a placebo or 240 ml of tart cherry juice twice per day. After two weeks, sleep time increased by 84 minutes, and more of the time in bed was spent sleeping.

Discussing the findings, doctors said they believe that procyanidin-B2, a B-complex vitamin in tart cherry, may increase the availability of naturally occurring tryptophan in the body by inhibiting an inflammatory factor that degrades tryptophan. (Take our quick quiz at the bottom of this page!)

Warm Tart Cherry Bedtime Tea

Enjoy sipping on this soothing nighttime tea. Nighty night!

Ingredients

1/4 c. frozen tart cherries

1 c. tart cherry juice

1 c. water

1/8 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. turmeric

2 chamomile tea bags

Directions: Remove frozen cherries from freezer to begin thawing. Combine cherry juice and water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in spices and steep the chamomile tea for a few minutes. Remove tea bags and pour mixture over frozen cherries and let brew for 5 minutes more. Serves two.

 

Quick Quiz!

1  Eight adults with confirmed insomnia who took 240 ml of tart cherry juice twice per day for two weeks saw an increase in sleep time of 84 minutes.

a. True

b. False

2  Doctors believe that procyanidin-B2, a B-complex vitamin in tart cherry may increase the availability of naturally occurring tryptophan in the body.

a. True

b. False

Answers

1 – a. True

2 – a. True