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Gastroenterologist Says This Is the #1 Drink to Protect Your Gut Health

This juice can reduce inflammation, leading to a healthier gut.

Cherry juice in a glass

Of course, no one wants to deal with an upset stomach. But aside from avoiding gas or nausea, people are paying more attention to gut health these days due to the alarming rise in colon cancer cases among young people. So, when gastroenterologist Joseph Salhab, MD, recently shared the beverage he drinks everyday for gut health, our ears perked up. Ahead, learn all about the benefits of this juice.

RELATED: Colon Cancer Risk Drops With This 1 Simple Snack, Groundbreaking New Study Finds.


Tart cherry juice can reduce gut inflammation.

In a recent TikTok video, Salhab boasted the health benefits of tart cherry juice.

"This juice is really unique because, even as a juice, it has a really high anthocyanin and polyphenol content," he explains. "In fact, it might the most out of any juice. And gut bacteria can use this to produce anti-inflammatory compounds in the gut."

Salhab points to a 2019 study published in the journal Nutrients, which found that tart cherry juice's "anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties" helped to lower the levels of systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults aged 65 to 80.

He also references research that is looking into how tart cherry juice can help bring down inflammation in those who suffer from inflammatory gut conditions. One such study, published this year in the journal Life, found that in people suffering from ulcerative colitis, twice-daily tart cherry juice supplementation resulted in a 40 percent reduction in calprotectin, which is produced due to gut inflammation.

But perhaps most exciting is a 2023 study published in the journal Cancer Letters that sought to understand how tart cherry juice's anthocyanins could inhibit intestinal tumor development in mice and the growth of human colon cancer cell lines. Their results suggest that tart cherry juice may reduce the risk of colon cancer, though further research in humans in necessary.

RELATED: Gastroenterologist Says These 5 Drinks Will Help You Poop Everyday.

A specific type of cherry works best.

Salhab shared that he drinks pure tart cherry juice from Montmorency cherries, which is not made from concentrate and has no added sugar. He typically mixes about a quarter cup of tart cherry juice with a half cup of ice water.

And science shows that his recipe is probably the healthiest choice. The Life study specifically gave participants a Montmorency tart cherry beverage.

And this is welcome news since these cherries are the most commonly grown tart cherries in the U.S. and Canada. In fact, "more than 94 percent of Montmorency tart cherries consumed in the U.S. are grown in the U.S.," most of which come from Michigan, according to the Cherry Industry Administrative Board.

RELATED: This "Underappreciated" Juice Can Improve Metabolism and Help You Lose Weight, New Study Says.

Tart cherry juice may also aid with sleep.

If tart cherry juice sounds familiar to you, it's likely because it made the rounds on social media as part of the "sleepy girl mocktail." This viral beverage is made of tart cherry juice, magnesium powder, and sparkling water.

Salhab says he drinks tart cherry juice at night to help with sleep, but he notes that the juice alone is a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that's well known to regulate sleep.

To that point, a 2018 pilot study tested the efficacy of Montmorency tart cherry juice to treat insomnia in adults over 50. The researchers found that the juice increased tryptophan (an amino acid that affects brain chemicals related to sleep) and reduced inflammation, thereby improving participants' sleep time by an average of 84 minutes.

We offer the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.

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Sources referenced in this article

Nutrients: Effects of Tart Cherry Juice on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Older Adults

Life: Health Benefits of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Supplementation in Adults with Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis

Cancer Letters: Tart cherry anthocyanins inhibit tumor development in Apc(Min) mice and reduce proliferation of human colon cancer cells

American Journal of Therapeutics: Pilot Study of the Tart Cherry Juice for the Treatment of Insomnia and Investigation of Mechanisms

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