Do you experience difficulty falling asleep at night? The frustrations of not getting a good night's sleep can affect every aspect of your life. Lying in bed, tossing and turning, can take its toll on your body as well as your mind. You may be tempted to try prescription medications but have legitimate concerns about the side effects. Wouldn't it be nice if there were a natural way to get to sleep without using drugs? A recent discovery at The University of Texas Health Science Center could make getting a good night's sleep a little easier. Their research suggests that you may be able to sleep better by eating tart cherries.

Why could eating tart cherries help you get better sleep at night? These cherries, particularly the Montmorency type of tart cherry, are a rich source of melatonin, a natural hormone that's important for promoting sleep. This hormone, produced by the pineal gland, has been lauded not only for its role in promoting better sleep but also as a treatment for jet lag. Melatonin is important for regulating the natural circadian rhythms in humans and is a powerful antioxidant that could play a role in the protection of cells. Research even suggests that low melatonin levels at night may play a role in the development of certain types of cancer such as breast cancer.

While you can get better sleep at night by taking a melatonin supplement, tart cherries provide a natural source of this hormone which is a way to get better sleep without taking pills. Although all tart cherries are good sources of melatonin, the Montmorency variety of tart cherry has six times the amount of melatonin as most other tart varieties. This makes it a natural choice for better sleep. Montmorency cherries are also an excellent source of anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory and, possibly, anti-cancer properties. This makes it a good choice for overall health as well as for better sleep at night.

Another advantage to eating tart cherries as opposed to taking melatonin as a supplement is that most melatonin supplements are sold as three milligram tablets. Studies have shown that 0.3 mg. is the optimal dose for better sleep. Taking too much melatonin may actually inhibit sleep and can cause nightmares. By eating between twenty and twenty-five tart cherries each day, you can give your body the melatonin it needs for better sleep at night naturally.

The next time you're at the grocery store, look for cans of tart cherries and make it a practice to eat a serving or two each day. It's important to choose tart cherries if you want to get the benefits of better sleep at night. Eat them on a regular basis and you may find your sleep improving. Plus, you'll be giving your body the health benefits of all of the anthocyanins this amazing fruit has to offer.