The formula contains tart cherry (prunus cerasus), banana, cherry, cacao, honey, date, ginger, turmeric, Siberian ginseng, cinnamon, natural vanilla flavour, and claims to:
- Support natural melatonin production
- Improve sleep depth and quality
- Promote a steady state of relaxation
- Support the circadian rhythm
- Support feelings of stress and anxiety
- Help regulate the nervous system
- Will have you waking refreshed not sluggish
I was initially quite sceptical when reading the ingredient list on this product. It is advertised as a sleep formula yet contains very few therapeutic nutrients for nervous system support. One of the first nutrients that should be considered when looking at the nervous system and sleep is magnesium – and yet there is no magnesium in this formula, only wholefood ingredients that contain a small amount of naturally occurring magnesium.
They also do not list the quantity or ratio of the ingredients included which raises questions as to the efficacy of the product.
The main ingredient in this formula is tart cherry which SWIISH cites research to support its inclusion in the formula. Tart cherry contains the amino acid tryptophan, which is used by the body for the production of melatonin (sleep hormone) and serotonin (happy hormone). Tart cherry also has antioxidant properties. It is worth noting that they do not cite evidence for other ingredients included in the formula.
Banana is a source of magnesium, potassium and tryptophan, however, there is little evidence to support its use for sleep promotion. Furthermore, the average banana contains 27mg of magnesium per 100g which is a very small amount. A therapeutic dose of magnesium is typically 300mg. As it is unclear how much banana makes up the formula and therefore the total magnesium content, its therapeutic benefit is questionable.
Cacao is a good antioxidant and source of magnesium and is suggested to support healthy circadian rhythms and sleep, despite the fact that cacao does contain caffeine.1 Ginger and turmeric both have strong anti-inflammatory benefits which may benefit nervous system health, however, there are limited studies on their use for sleep promotion. Siberian Ginseng was the one ingredient I was pleased to see in this product – it is a high-quality adaptogen that has been found to support nervous system health.2
