I’m always on the lookout for new natural supplements to supplement my sleep. I prefer pills to drinks, but with the mounting research lauding the benefits of tart cherry for both inflammation-induced pain, brought on by physical activity and improved sleep quality, Food for Sleep seemed worth the try. I recently joined a 30-day pushup challenge, and my triceps would not mind the added recovery bonus.
Stated Use
Created for people who want the benefits of better sleep and who prefer non-drug solutions, Food for Sleep helps people fall asleep sooner, stay asleep, and enjoy improved sleep quality.
Active Ingredients
- Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate and tart cherry juice powder — Originally used as a recovery-aid post exercise, participants of this study also reported improved sleep quality.
- Whey peptides (L-Tryptophan) — This amino acid plays a part in the synthesis of both melatonin and serotonin hormones involved with mood and stress response and sleep/wake cycles.
In addition to the above, the supplement contains natural cherry pomegranate flavor, citric acid, xanthan gum, and stevia extract.
My Experience
With that as a caveat, I did have a superb night’s sleep. I fell asleep much quicker than usual, and according to my sleep tracker I went straight into deep sleep. I did wake up once after a few hours to use the bathroom, but I think that had more to do with me drinking those two extra glasses of water before bed than anything else. I got right back to sleep once in bed, deep and restorative sleep. I woke up a couple of minutes before my alarm went off, feeling refreshed, and less sore than I expected to be after CrossFit and the extra pushups from the challenge.
Pros
- Greatly reduced time to fall asleep
- Induced basically uninterrupted deep sleep lasting 8+ hours
- Improved muscle recovery (observationally)
- TSA-friendly bottle size, good for redeye flights
Cons
- It is literally tough to swallow
The Final Word
Food for Sleep works. I will try putting the vial in the fridge next time I take it to see if it makes the flavor any better. If you are looking for an effective sleep supplement that will induce, deep and restful sleep, and also help you recover after tough workouts, this is a great option for you. I will keep taking it, especially after hard workout days. I would be interested to taste this product without Stevia.