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Effects of tart cherry juice consumption on sleep, mental health and emotional well-being in postmenopausal women
Date
2025
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Background: The menopausal transition is often accompanied by challenging symptoms such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression, frequently exacerbated by hormonal changes and vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Tart cherries are rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and melatonin, which may contribute to improved sleep quality, mental and emotional well-being. However, limited research has examined these potential benefits in postmenopausal women. ☐ Objective: This ongoing study investigated the effects of daily tart cherry juice consumption on sleep, mental health and emotional well-being in postmenopausal women. ☐ Methods: A 12-week, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 35 postmenopausal women (45-60 years), randomized into an intervention group (n=19) consuming 480mls of tart cherry juice daily or a control group (n=16) receiving a cherry-flavored placebo drink. Control beverages were matched for energy and sugar content. Sleep was assessed using actigraphy and self-reported using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Mental health and emotional well-being were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ), respectively. Mixed-model ANOVA was used to examine the effects of group, time, and the interaction between group and time on sleep, mental health, and emotional well-being outcomes. Outcome variables were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of tart cherry juice or control drink. ☐ Results: Participants had a combined mean age of 55.8 ± 2.6 years and mean BMI of 26.9 ± 4.9 kg/m², most were White and college-educated. No significant differences were observed between groups for actigraphy or self-reported measured sleep. While no statistically significant effects were found for mental health and emotional well-being outcomes, trends toward improvement were observed in anxiety (P = 0.09) and vasomotor symptoms (P = 0.05) over time. Both groups exhibited reductions in anxiety scores (tart cherry: -19%, control: -20%), and the tart cherry group reported a 69% reduction in vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) compared to 43% in the control group. Improvements in the control group may reflect placebo effects or natural variability over time. ☐ Conclusion: While tart cherry juice consumption did not significantly improve sleep quality, mental health, or emotional well-being outcomes in this small cohort, trends suggest potential benefits in reducing vasomotor symptoms and anxiety. The study is ongoing, and a larger sample size is needed to confirm the findings.
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Keywords
Mental health outcomes, Postmenopausal women, Sleep quality, Tart cherry juice, Emotional well-being outcomes