According to a short piece in The New York Times, dried cherries can help reduce the symptoms of jet lag for travelers. Dr. Russel Reiter, a melatonin expert, says “Tart cherries contain melatonin, which is then absorbed into the blood stream, influencing your biological clock.” (Melatonin is a hormone which may help to tell our bodies when to go to sleep and when to wake up.) Dr. Reiter recommends -- when flying east-- that you eat a handful of dried cherries about 30 minutes before trying to sleep. Once you have arrived at your destination, eat a handful of cherries 30 minutes before going to bed every night for the same number of nights as the time change you have just experienced. When heading west, do the same regime, only eat the cherries the night before departure.
By Teresa K. Flatley