I love it when the stuff I've been banging on about for ages is suddenly across all the newspapers ! In the last couple of weeks we've seen Cherry Juice hit the headlines for anyone wanting a decent nights sleep 'Those of us seeking a better night's sleep may need to look no further than tart cherry juice, according to a new study in the European Journal of Nutrition.(1) An international team of researchers found that when adults had two daily glasses of tart cherry juice, they slept 39 minutes longer, on average, and had up to 6 percent increase in overall sleep efficiency (significantly less non-sleep time in bed), compared to when they drank a non-cherry, fruit cocktail.
In a study conducted at Northumbria University, twenty healthy adults drank two servings of tart cherry juice concentrate (30mL of 100% pure Montmorency juice concentrate per serving, diluted in a half pint of water; provided by CherryActive, Sunbury, UK) or a non-cherry fruit drink for seven consecutive days at a time - one serving when they woke up, and another before bed. The researchers tracked participant's sleep habits, and after drinking the cherry juice, they found significant improvements in sleep behaviors, most notably longer sleep time, less daytime napping and increased overall sleep efficiency (the ratio of time spent in bed to time spent sleeping) compared to when they drank the non-cherry juice drink.
The researchers attribute the sleep benefits to the melatonin content of the red Super Fruit - a powerful antioxidant critical for sleep-wake cycle regulation. Each serving of the tart cherry juice concentrate was estimated to contain the equivalent of 90 - 100 tart cherries, providing a significant level of melatonin in the juice and ultimately in the bodies of the participants.
Previous research has supported the benefits of tart cherries as a sleep aid - a potentially wide-reaching benefit since nearly one-third of all Americans suffer from sleep disturbances affecting their health and wellbeing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.(2,3) Currently, Americans spend more than $84 million on over-the-counter sleep aids each year, leaving many searching for cost-effective ways to help manage their conditions.(4) While more research is necessary before medical professionals turn to cherries as a sole treatment for sleep disorders, the scientists conclude that tart cherry juice concentrate could be a viable "adjunct intervention for disturbed sleep across a number of scenarios."
The Sunshine Pill ?Its recently hit the UK headlines in relation to obese children.
TUESDAY, Dec. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Low levels of vitamin D are much more common in obese children than in those who aren't obese and are associated with insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, researchers have found.
The study included 411 obese children and 87 children who weren't overweight. Researchers measured the children's vitamin D levels, blood sugar levels, serum insulin, body mass index and blood pressure.
The children were also asked about their daily consumption of soda, juice, milk, fruits and vegetables, and whether or not they routinely skipped breakfast.
The findings are slated for publication in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
"Our study found that obese children with lower vitamin D levels had higher degrees of insulin resistance," lead author Dr. Micah Olson, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said in a news release from the Endocrine Society. "Although our study cannot prove causation, it does suggest that low vitamin D levels may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes."
Obese kids who had poor dietary habits, such as skipping breakfast and drinking lots of soda and juice, also tended to have lower vitamin D levels, the study found.
Future research should look at whether making sure obese kids get adequate vitamin D could also help with insulin resistance, Olson added.
Past studies have linked low vitamin D levels with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It's not fully known how obesity and associated conditions are related to vitamin D deficiency.
A recent study also said that pregnant women should ensure they have decent levels. You can be tested by your doctor or independently and I highly recommend the Vitamin D capsules from Viridian and the excellent Oral Spray from Better you who also offer tests to determine your levels. www.betteryou.co.uk.com
