Pilot Study of the Tart Cherry Juice for the Treatment of Insomnia and Investigation of Mechanisms
Losso JN, Finley JW, Karki N, Liu AG, Prudente A, Tipton R
Published in American Journal of Therapeutics
Methodology
Placebo-controlled balanced crossover trial of Montmorency tart cherry juice 240 mL twice daily for 2 weeks vs placebo with 2-week washout, assessed by polysomnography and validated questionnaires in adults over 50 with insomnia
Key Findings
Eight completers increased polysomnographic sleep time by 84 minutes (P=0.0182) and improved sleep efficiency on the PSQI (P=0.03); serum kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio and prostaglandin E2 decreased.
Conclusions
Tart cherry juice increased sleep time in older adults with insomnia, possibly by inhibiting indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and increasing tryptophan availability.
Limitations
Very small pilot with only 8 completers, short duration, and most questionnaire outcomes were unchanged.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Not reported
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