Melatonin and Cherries Tart Cherries (Prunus cerasus) By Stacy Mobley, MPH, ND student

Monday, November 15, 2010

My mom was on to something when she mentioned she slept better after eating cherries. Talk about a woman who listens to her body! What a tasty sleep aid! Not only do mammals produce melatonin --plants and seeds make it too—the edible ones –yummy! Cherries and other edible plants produce more melatonin than we do. It is well known that melatonin production decreases as we age, so why not add a handful of cherries as a snack before bedtime. According to current research, Montmorency cherries contain 6 times the amount of melatonin that Balaton cherries do. Either way, it is a healthy supply of melatonin and filled with host of antioxidants.Unlike supplemented melatonin, this hormone ingested via cherries and other plants will not become ineffective over time.We are not going to settle for simply sleeping better, let’s knock out arthritis, gout, and decrease your risk for cancer while we are at it. The full blast of antioxidants helps in a variety of ways without causing any negative side effects such as sleep walking and unknowingly raiding your refrigerator.

Here is a very short list of what each beautiful red cherry contains:

Anthocyanins: Packed with more than the daily dose of antioxidants and a beautiful red color to boot!
COX 1 & 2 inhibitors: Decrease inflammation and pain- arthritis and gout don’t stand a chance!
SOD like substance: Decrease C-Reactive protein; elevated levels in the blood stream during inflammation and stress on the heart
Perillyl alcohol (POH): Inhibit cancer cells growth and decrease blood supply to cancerous cells
Melatonin: A hormone produced by the pituitary to induce a nice sleep

Fresh cherries have a low Glycemic Index 54 and dried cherries (58). Boasting an ORAC score of 3,622, one glass of organic cherry juice or ½ cup of dried cherries will take care of your daily dose of antioxidants. There is no single cherry phytonutrient that stands the test but their synergy creates greatness. This is whole food at its best!

I’ll take 2 cherries on the top of my coconut ice cream sundae please!

References
Kirakosyan A, Seymour EM, Noon KR, Llanes DEU, Kaufman PB, Warber SL, Bolling SF. Interactions of antioxidants isolated from tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) fruits. Food Chemistry. 2010.

Simopoulos AP, Visioli F (eds): More on Mediterranean Diets. World Rev Nutr Diet. Basel, Karger, 2007, vol 97, pp 211–230.

Detection and Qualification of the Antioxidant Melatonin in Montmorency and Balaton Tart Cherries J. Agric. Food Chem., 2001, 49 (10), pp 4898–4902.

posted by Innate Response at

11:04 AM

Melatonin and Cherries Tart Cherries (Prunus cerasus) By Stacy Mobley, MPH, ND student

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