Cherry juice improves the quality and duration of sleep
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists from the UK (University of Northumbria) claim that cherry juice improves the quality and duration of sleep.
The study involved 20 healthy people who drank twice a day for 1 week, or 30 ml of cherry juice, or juice-placebo. Before and after the experiment, scientists determined the level of melatonin in the urine - the hormone, which is produced by the pineal gland of the brain, responsible for the circadian rhythms of the human body. In addition, all participants wore an actigraphic sensor that tracked the "sleep-wake" cycle and kept a diary where they fixed the characteristics of their dream.
Analyzing the results of the data, the researchers found that "cherry juice therapy" increased the level of melatonin in the urine of participants by 15-16%. And the results of the actography showed that people who drank cherry juice spent 15 minutes more in bed than those who did not drink juice. And the total time and efficiency of sleep increased by 25 minutes and 5%, respectively.
Project leader Glen Houtsson, summing up, said that the hypnotic effect of cherry juice is due to the high content of melatonin in the beverage. And improving the quality of sleep, juice does not have side effects, unlike medicines used in the treatment of sleep disorders and insomnia.
The results of the study are published in the journal European Journal of Nutrition.
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