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• Discover how tart cherry juice promotes natural sleep quality

• Understand melatonin and anthocyanins in Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice

• Learn the best time and way to drink cherry juice for restful nights

Sleep Better Naturally: How Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice Promotes Restful Sleep

Published: September 2023 | Updated: October 2025

Curious about a natural way to fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed?
Tart cherry juice — especially from Michigan-grown Montmorency cherries — has been making headlines for its ability to support healthy sleep patterns.

In this guide, we’ll explore how Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate works to enhance rest and recovery, what science says about its connection to melatonin and sleep quality, and the best ways to include it in your nighttime routine.

Traverse Bay Farms has won 38+ national food awards and is the only sediment-free tart cherry juice concentrate guarantee in the entire cherry industry. Every bottle is made using USA-grown Montmorency cherries — never imported from overseas — ensuring purity and potency in every sip.

We'll dive deep into how tart cherry juice can influence sleep, its suggested usage, and the studies supporting these claims.

What Makes Tart Cherry Juice Special?

Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus), particularly Montmorency varieties grown in Northern Michigan, are rich in two compounds that make them unique among fruits — melatonin and anthocyanins.

Melatonin is the hormone that regulates your sleep–wake cycle. Your body naturally produces it at night, signaling that it’s time to rest. However, stress, late-night light exposure, and aging can all reduce melatonin production.

Anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the deep red color of cherries, also play an indirect role in sleep. These antioxidants help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, creating the physiological environment your body needs for restful, uninterrupted sleep.

At Traverse Bay Farms, our Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate contains a 68 Brix concentration — (7:1 ratio) to make a 100% pure glass of no-added sugar cherry juice. That density preserves the natural levels of melatonin and anthocyanins available in a juice product.

Download your copy of the Tart Cherry Health Report- Click Here

How Tart Cherry Juice Supports Sleep: The Science

A growing body of research supports what cherry growers in Northern Michigan have known for generations: tart cherries naturally promote better sleep.

• Improved Sleep Duration – A 2012 study in the European Journal of Nutrition found that adults with insomnia who drank tart cherry juice twice daily experienced significant increases in total sleep time and sleep efficiency.

• Increased Melatonin Production – Researchers writing in the Journal of Medicinal Food observed that participants who consumed Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate showed measurable increases in circulating melatonin, correlating with longer and higher-quality sleep.

• Reduced Insomnia Severity – In a 2010 pilot study, older adults who drank tart cherry juice daily saw reductions in insomnia severity scores and fewer nighttime awakenings.

These findings highlight why many people now use tart cherry juice as a natural alternative to over-the-counter sleep aids.

“Tart cherry juice may increase total sleep time by more than an hour in some participants,” noted one study — a remarkable outcome for a simple fruit-based drink.

Several studies have suggested that tart cherry juice can improve sleep quality and duration:

• Improved Sleep Duration: A 2012 study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that when adults with insomnia consumed two servings of tart cherry juice per day, they experienced significant increases in sleep time and sleep efficiency [1].

• Increased Melatonin Levels: A study from the Journal of Medicinal Food noted that participants who consumed tart cherry juice concentrate saw a notable increase in their melatonin levels, which correlated with improved sleep duration and quality[2].

• Reduced Insomnia Severity: A pilot study in 2010 indicated that tart cherry juice can reduce the severity of insomnia, allowing participants to sleep more efficiently and for longer periods.[3]

How to Use Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice for Better Sleep

Consistency is key when it comes to experiencing sleep benefits.
Here’s how to use Traverse Bay Farms Montmorency Cherry Juice Concentrate effectively:

• Serving Size: 1 oz (2 tablespoons) daily
• Dilution: Mix with 8 oz of water or your favorite beverage
• Timing: Drink about 1–2 hours before bedtime
• Storage: Refrigerate after opening
• Use Within: 60 days
• Optional Tips: Mix with sparkling water, herbal tea, or a light smoothie for a relaxing nighttime drink

Each bottle of Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate is sediment-free, award-winning, and made with 100% USA-grown Montmorency cherries — never imported from Turkey, China, or Poland.

Other Natural Health Benefits

While sleep is one of the most studied effects, tart cherry juice delivers additional science-backed wellness benefits:

• Anti-Inflammatory Support: Anthocyanins and flavonoids help the body manage inflammation and maintain healthy joint comfort.*

• Heart Health: Regular use may support healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and circulation.*

• Muscle Recovery: Athletes often use tart cherry juice post-workout to reduce soreness and accelerate muscle repair.*

(These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.)

Precautions

• Tart cherry juice is generally recognized as safe for most adults when consumed in moderation.
• If you are currently taking medications or have chronic health conditions, consult your healthcare provider before adding new dietary supplements or functional foods to your regimen.

Summary: The Natural Path to Restful Sleep

Tart cherry juice offers a simple, evidence-based way to help your body relax and prepare for deep sleep. By combining natural melatonin with inflammation-reducing anthocyanins, Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate supports both your nightly rest and your overall well-being.

Shipped directly to you from our family-owned facility located in the cherry-growing region of Northern Michigan, our concentrate is trusted by athletes, healthcare professionals, and wellness-minded customers nationwide.

Experience the Benefits

Ready to experience a more restful night’s sleep?
Try Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate — the only sediment-free guarantee in the entire cherry industry.
Shop Now → TraverseBayFarms.com/tart-cherry-juice-concentrate

FAQs

Q: How long before bed should I drink tart cherry juice?
Most people find it most effective 1–2 hours before bedtime.

Q: Can tart cherry juice replace melatonin supplements?
It provides natural melatonin, offering a food-based option for gentle sleep support.

Q: How much tart cherry juice should I drink for sleep?
Studies used about 8 oz of juice or 1 oz of concentrate (7:1) diluted in water twice daily.

Q: Does tart cherry juice have side effects?
It’s well tolerated for most adults; however, check with your doctor if you’re on medication.

Q: Why choose Traverse Bay Farms?
We’re America’s #1 award-winning superfruit brand, using only USA-grown cherries and offering the only sediment-free guarantee in the industry.

Check out these other posts:

• Cherry Juice - The Journey from Blossom to Bottle
• Personalized Food Choices for Targeted Natural Remedies
• Benefits of Low Sugar Cherry Juice

References

(Note: This article provides a general overview, and while efforts are made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to consult primary sources and professionals for detailed information.)

Footnotes

(1) Pigeon, W. R., Carr, M., Gorman, C., & Perlis, M. L. (2012). Effects of a tart cherry juice beverage on the sleep of older adults with insomnia: a pilot study. European Journal of Nutrition, 51(6), 909-916.

(2)   Howatson, G., Bell, P. G., Tallent, J., Middleton, B., McHugh, M. P., & Ellis, J. (2012). Effect of tart cherry juice (Prunus cerasus) on melatonin levels and enhanced sleep quality. Journal of Medicinal Food, 15(10), 909-913.

(3)     Pigeon, W. R., Carr, M., Gorman, C., & Perlis, M. L. (2010). Effects of tart cherry juice beverage on the sleep of older adults with insomnia: a pilot study. Journal of Medicinal Food, 13(3), 579-583.

 (4)    Kelley, D. S., Adkins, Y., & Laugero, K. D. (2018). A Review of the Health Benefits of Cherries. Nutrients, 10(3), 368.

(5)     Keane, K. M., George, T. W., Constantinou, C. L., Brown, M. A., Clifford, T., & Howatson, G. (2016). Effects of Montmorency tart cherry (L. Prunus cerasus) consumption on vascular function in men with early hypertension. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 103(6), 1531-1539.

(6)     Bell, P. G., Stevenson, E., Davison, G. W., & Howatson, G. (2016). The effects of Montmorency tart cherry concentrate supplementation on recovery following prolonged, intermittent exercise. Nutrients, 8(7), 441.