A Natural Way to Fight Jet Lag

Try adding cherries to your diet.

It takes mere seconds to reset our watch to a different time zone after an international flight, but it takes longer for our body’s internal time clocks to adjust.  Frequent travelers often stash a bottle of melatonin in their carry-on bag to help fight jet lag, but now they may have a more natural and tasty way to prepare for the trip: cherries.

Cherries are one of the few known food sources of melatonin, a potent antioxidant produced naturally by the body's pineal gland that helps regulate biorhythm and natural sleep patterns.  Scientists have found melatonin-rich tart cherries (commonly enjoyed as dried, frozen, juice or concentrate) contain more of this powerful antioxidant than what is normally produced by the body.  Eating cherries can be a natural way to boost your body’s melatonin levels to hasten sleep and ease jet lag.

According to Russel J. Reiter, PhD, a nutrition researcher at the University of Texas Health and Science Center and one of the world’s leading authorities on melatonin, try eating dried cherries one hour before desired sleep time on the plane.  After arrival, consume cherries one hour before desired sleep each night for at least three consecutive evenings.

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What’s more, a new study conducted by Russel J. Reiter, PhD, one of the world's leading authorities on melatonin, found that melatonin may play a role in delaying the effects of aging.  Reiter and colleagues at the University of Granada in Spain revealed that melatonin neutralizes the oxidative and inflammation process caused by aging, thereby suggesting that melatonin can slow the aging process.  Based on the findings of this study, the authors suggest that daily melatonin intake in humans from the age of 30 or 40 could potentially help delay illnesses related to aging. 

For tips on how to incorporate more cherries in your routine, click here.

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