Why I Drink Tart Cherry Juice Before Bed

For a long time, I struggled to fall asleep at night. Between training, coaching, and a schedule that can be all over the place, I’d get into bed tired but have a hard time winding down. I wanted to try something that wouldn’t leave me feeling groggy the next morning.

While reading about sleep, I came across tart cherry juice. Tart cherries contain melatonin and polyphenols, and some small studies suggest the juice may help with sleep. The findings are mixed, though, so I didn’t expect it to be a magic fix. I was curious enough to give it a try.

Now, before bed, I mix a splash of R.W. Knudsen tart cherry juice with blood orange tangerine Spindrift. I genuinely like the taste, and making it has become a little signal that my day is winding down.

I can’t tell you whether the juice itself has changed my sleep. What I can tell you is that I enjoy the routine. It gets me to pause for a moment instead of going straight from my to-do list to bed.

If you’re curious about trying tart cherry juice, check the label: some bottles are 100% juice, some are sweetened drinks, and some are concentrates meant to be diluted. Find an amount you enjoy and that agrees with your stomach. It doesn’t need to become another wellness rule.

For me, it’s a small, easy way to make bedtime feel like time to slow down.