When asked the question “Can drinking cherry juice help me sleep?” Dr Oz answered: “Tart cherry juice is rich in melatonin, the sleep hormone that regulates and resets your internal clock. Drink an 8 oz. glass in the morning and 2 hours before bed for sweet dreams. To get the full benefit, drink this juice at a scheduled time every day.”
Dr. Michael Breus (a member of Dr Oz’s panel of experts) also answered “Cherries contain melatonin, a natural antioxidant with a well-documented history of helping to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Produced naturally by the body in small amounts, melatonin plays a role in inducing sleepiness at night and wakefulness during the day.”
[Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He was one of the youngest people to have passed the Board at age 31 and, with a specialty in Sleep Disorders, is one of only 163 psychologists in the world with his credentials and distinction. Dr. Breus is dedicated to informing the public and healthcare communities about “disordered sleep” in a sleep-deprived society.]
Depending on where you live, tart cherry juice can be hard to find in the local stores, especially if you’re looking for organic. Here’s an option for ordering it online: