MOOD FOOD

Cherries to help you sleep

NUTRITIONIST Amanda Hamilton shows how to manage your mood with food . . .

IT’S cherry season, so there’s no better time to enjoy this delicious fruit. They are one of the only natural food sources of melatonin, a chemical that helps to regulate our sleep cycles — so we wake up feeling happier and more refreshed. Some studies have found that drinking tart cherry juice —especially one hour before bed — can help insomnia sufferers and generally improve sleep quality.

Plus, they are a rich source of antioxidants including vitamin C, which helps to support brain health as we age. A portion of 14 cherries counts as one of your five a day.