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Cherry juice improves the quality and duration of sleep
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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Scientists from the UK (Northumbria University) claim that cherry juice improves the quality and duration of sleep.
The study involved 20 healthy people who drank either 30 ml of cherry juice or placebo juice twice a day for 1 week. Before and after the experiment, the scientists determined the level of melatonin in the urine - a hormone produced by the pineal gland of the brain, responsible for the circadian rhythms of the human body. In addition, all participants wore an actigraphy sensor that tracked the sleep-wake cycle and kept a diary where they recorded the characteristics of their sleep.
After analyzing the results of the data obtained, the scientists found that "cherry juice therapy" increased the level of melatonin in the urine of the participants by 15-16%. And the results of actigraphy showed that people who drank cherry juice spent 15 minutes more time in bed than those who did not drink juice. Moreover, the total time and efficiency of sleep increased by 25 minutes and 5%, respectively.
Project leader Glen Howatson summed up the results by saying that the soporific effect of cherry juice is explained by the high content of melatonin in the drink. And while improving the quality of sleep, the juice does not have side effects, unlike drugs used to treat sleep disorders and insomnia.
The results of the study were published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
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