Sleep Discovery: Tart Cherries For Better Sleep and Natural Pain Relief

Can cherries really help you sleep better and relieve pain, including joint pain?

Cherries have been “discovered” by scientists to contain surprising substances.

If you have chronic pain or insomnia, you may want to try cherries for their wide array of health benefits before you resort to addictive prescription medications with side effects, such as Valium, Xanax, Ativan.

How Cherries Can Help You Sleep Better

This is a surprising discovery made recently at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Russel Reiter, who has been studying melatonin for more than 30 years, headed up the research team.

"Tart cherries, specifically the Montmorency variety, contain an extremely significant quantity of melatonin, enough to produce positive results in the body."

Dr. Russel Reiter began his distinguished career more than 30 years ago in neuroendocrinology, the study of the glands and hormones of the brain. In 1958, a dermatologist named Aaron Lerner at Yale University discovered the existence of melatonin.

Today, Dr. Reiter is the preeminent scientist on melatonin and the advantageous effects it has on human health and well-being. His peers consider him the "dean of melatonin research".

See Dr. Reiter's book: Melatonin: Breakthrough Discoveries That Can Help You

• What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the pineal gland at the base of the brain, which triggers sleepiness at night. Melatonin production can be disrupted due to staying up at night with artificial light. It decreases with age, and also because of stress, or due to jet lag, causing poor sleep and insomnia.

• What Foods Contain Melatonin?

The highest quantities of melatonin are found in tart cherries, particularly the Montmorency variety, especially in Tart Cherry Concentrate.

. However, other foods such as milk, peanuts, turkey, chicken or almonds contain tryptophan, which raises brain serotonin which in turn can also be converted to melatonin.

Other foods, such as bananas, also contain melatonin but not in significant levels to be effective for getting shut eye.

• Does melatonin have any side effects?

Individuals who take melatonin supplements need to exercise caution, in that an overabundance of melatonin in the blood can cause insomnia and nightmares rather than peaceful sleep. Researchers point out that the maximal effective sleep-inducing dose to be 0.1 to 0.3 milligrams (mg).

The amount found in tart cherries provides significant amount to positively effect sleep. Melatonin is also sold in over-the-counter supplements, although they are often a minimum of 2-3 mg and sometimes much higher. These levels are at least ten times the maximal effective dosage.

• Best Melatonin for Better Sleep?

Although melatonin is available as a supplement and can be purchased without a prescription, Dr. Reiter and other health experts extol the benefits of consuming melatonin through food consumption.

The best strategy for better sleep is to stick close to nature. Cherry concentrates can be taken at the end of the day to improve the quality of rest, re-set the biological clock and contribute to wakefulness during the day.

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For Research On Tart Cherries for Better Sleep

A Tasty Help For Arthritis, Joint Pain and Gout

Because researchers found that the COX inhibitory activities of anthocyanins from cherries were comparable to those of IBUPROFEN and NAPROXEN at 10 M concentrations.

The anti-inflammatory properties of tart cherries work like naproxen and ibuprofen -- by blocking COX enzymes.

Therefore cherry concentrate can ALLEVIATE CHRONIC PAIN associated with INFLAMMATION, but without negative side effects.

A study from Michigan State University in 2001 found that, at certain concentrations, tart red cherry juice may be more effective than aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen for arthritis pain and inflammation.

The amount of anthocyanins in 20 cherries is enough to shut down the enzymes that are involved in tissue inflammation.

While providing relief from pain and inflammation, cherry juice does not cause the damaging side effects common with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

How much Melatonin do you need?

If you're on a low-acid diet, you can still use cherry juice concentrate, just be sure to consume it in combination with other foods, or at the end of a meal.

Diabetics can also take the concentrate because of its low glycemic value.

It is a good idea to include consumption of tart cherries as part of your healthy eating plan everyday. Not just for sound sleep, but for their amazing overall benefits.

There's More, Besides Pain and Sleep?

Anthocyanins may also aid in the prevention of vascular diseases and may inhibit some tumor cells

Dr. Nair, a professor in the department of Horticulture and with the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center at MSU, has been researching the biologically active components of tart cherries and their healthful effects for more than 12 years. It is currently one of the primary areas of his research:

"We are looking for a non-toxic compound for the prevention and treatment of cancer." Dr. Nair says. He believes that a steady supply of tart cherries can improve the overall quality of life.

"Everyone is looking for the best quality of life."

Heart Disease Too?

In addition to its antioxidants, tart red cherries are high in potassium, an important mineral for those with high blood pressure. The anthocyanins found in cherries may protect artery walls from damage that leads to plaque buildup and heart disease.

The deep color of tart red cherries is a clue to their health-promoting properties. They contain flavonoids called anthocyanins–naturally occurring pigment compounds that impart color to fruit, vegetables, and plants.

Flavonoids, which contain antioxidants, help to protect the plant from disease. Research has shown that these natural plant chemicals also help remove toxins from the body.

Antioxidants help neutralize the free-radical cellular damage that accumulates in the body through factors such as stress, pollution, and a poor diet.

Two of the most potent anticancer agents–the flavonoids isoquercitrin and queritrin–are found in tart red cherries.

Antioxidant Research Shows the Power of Cherries

Scientists have developed an score to compare foods. Tart cherries have very high ORAC Score:

• ORAC is an acronym for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It is a definitive test for assessing the STRENGTH of ANTIOXIDANT compounds.

• Ingesting 5,000 ORAC units per day substantially reduces your risk of Coronary Heart Disease, Cancer, and other age-related illnesses.

• Two tablespoons of a pure cherry concentrate can contain up to 5,000 ORAC units. This equals more than 6 servings of fruit!

ANTIOXIDANTS are typically measured in Orac units. Nutritionists suggest that people should eat 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units per day to have an impact on health.

Find Out More About Using Cherries for Natural Pain Relief:

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Health Discoveries For Better Sleep, Insomnia Natural Cures and Natural Pain Relief

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