Short-term intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improves sleep quality in elite female field hockey players after intermittent exhaustion exercise
A randomized controlled trial with 19 elite female field hockey players found that short-term consumption of tart cherry juice over 48 hours significantly improved sleep quality variables, including total time in bed (TTB, p=0.015), wake after sleep onset (WASO, p=0.044), and movement index (MI, p=0.031), compared to a placebo. However, no significant changes were observed in melatonin or cortisol levels.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Short-term intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improves sleep quality in elite female field hockey players after intermittent exhaustion exercise The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 42/100 (low).
The Claim
Short-term intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improves sleep quality in elite female field hockey players after intermittent exhaustion exercise
This conclusion is most relevant to: Elite female field hockey players (n=19).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Effects of Short-Term Intake of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice on Sleep Quality after Intermittent Exercise in Elite Female Field Hockey Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Tart cherry juice is consumed after intermittent exhaustion exercise
- ▸Bioactive compounds in tart cherry juice (e.g., melatonin precursors, anti-inflammatory agents) are absorbed
- ▸Sleep quality metrics (TTB, WASO, MI) improve, possibly via non-hormonal pathways
- ▸Result: Improved sleep quality without significant changes in melatonin or cortisol levels
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Elite female field hockey players (n=19)
Recommended Dose
Five servings of tart cherry juice over 48 hours (specific volume not reported in abstract)
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Small sample size (n=19) limits generalizability
- ▸No significant changes in melatonin or cortisol, leaving mechanism unclear
- ▸Short intervention duration (48 hours) may not reflect long-term effects
Frequently Asked Questions
Does tart cherry juice improve sleep quality in athletes?▼
Yes, this study found that short-term intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improved sleep quality metrics like total time in bed and wake after sleep onset in elite female field hockey players after exercise.
How does tart cherry juice affect melatonin and cortisol levels?▼
In this study, tart cherry juice did not significantly change melatonin or cortisol levels compared to placebo, suggesting the sleep benefits may occur through other mechanisms.
What sleep variables improved with tart cherry juice?▼
Significant improvements were seen in total time in bed (TTB), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and movement index (MI).
Was this study a randomized controlled trial?▼
Yes, it was a double-blind randomized controlled trial with 19 elite female field hockey players.
References
- 1.Chung J, Choi M, Lee K. “Effects of Short-Term Intake of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice on Sleep Quality after Intermittent Exercise in Elite Female Field Hockey Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial..” International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022. PMID: 36011907 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610272