You’re standing in the juice aisle. It's overwhelming. There are plastic jugs filled with "cocktails" that are basically just high-fructose corn syrup with a red dye job. Then you see it—the heavy glass bottle. Lakewood Tart Cherry Juice doesn't look like the others. It’s dark. It’s expensive. Honestly, it looks a bit intimidating if you’re used to sugary apple juice. But there is a reason athletes, insomniacs, and people with achy joints treat this stuff like liquid gold.
It’s not just juice. It’s a cold-pressed, organic powerhouse that actually does what the label implies.
Most people buy it because they heard it helps with sleep or gout. That’s true, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Lakewood isn't messin' around with fillers. When you twist that cap, you're getting the juice of about 3 lbs of fresh organic cherries in every 32-ounce bottle. That’s a lot of fruit. It’s tart—pucker-your-lips tart—but that’s exactly where the magic happens.
What's actually inside Lakewood Tart Cherry Juice?
We need to talk about the "Not from Concentrate" label. Most juices are boiled down into a syrup, shipped across the world, and then rehydrated with local tap water. Lakewood does it differently. They press the fruit, pasteurize it quickly to kill bacteria, and bottle it. That’s it. No added sugars. No preservatives. No weird "natural flavors" that are actually made in a lab in New Jersey.
The specific cherry used here is the Montmorency tart cherry. Unlike the sweet Bing cherries you eat by the bowlful in July, Montmorency cherries are medicinal. They are loaded with anthocyanins. These are the pigments that give the juice its deep, almost blood-red color. They are also incredibly potent antioxidants.
The sleep connection: Melatonin in a bottle
If you can’t sleep, you’ve probably tried everything. Tea. White noise. Putting your phone in another room. But have you tried drinking a glass of Lakewood Tart Cherry Juice about an hour before bed?
It sounds like a tall tale, but the science is there. Tart cherries are one of the few natural food sources of melatonin. This is the hormone your brain produces to tell your body it’s time to clock out. A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that people who drank tart cherry juice concentrate for seven days had significantly higher systemic melatonin levels. They slept longer. They slept better.
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It isn’t a sedative. It won’t knock you out like a pill. Instead, it sort of gently nudges your circadian rhythm back into place. If you've been traveling or working night shifts, this stuff is a lifesaver. You’ll wake up feeling less like a zombie and more like a human being.
Why athletes are obsessed with the red stuff
Walk into any professional locker room and you might see these glass bottles. Why? Inflammation.
When you work out hard, you tear muscle fibers. This causes inflammation and oxidative stress. That’s why you’re sore two days after a leg workout. The anthocyanins in Lakewood Tart Cherry Juice act like a natural version of ibuprofen. They inhibit the enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) that cause pain and swelling.
- Recovery happens faster.
- The "burn" fades sooner.
- You can get back to the gym without feeling like you’re made of glass.
A 2010 study involving runners in the Oregon Hood to Coast Relay showed that those who drank tart cherry juice twice daily for a week before the race reported significantly less post-race muscle pain. This isn't just marketing hype. It’s chemistry.
Let’s talk about the Gout "Cure"
Gout is miserable. If you’ve had it, you know. It’s like having shards of glass in your big toe. It’s caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood.
For years, folk medicine suggested cherries for gout. Doctors used to roll their eyes. Now? They’re recommending it. Drinking Lakewood Tart Cherry Juice can help lower uric acid levels in the body. It helps the kidneys flush out the excess. While it’s not a replacement for medical advice or prescription meds during a severe flare-up, many people swear by a daily maintenance dose to keep the "gout monster" at bay.
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The flavor profile: It’s an acquired taste
Look, I’m gonna be real with you. If you’re expecting a Sweet Tart or a cherry Slurpee, you’re in for a shock. This juice is acidic. It’s sharp. It has a complex, earthy undertone that almost reminds you of a dry red wine.
Some people drink it straight in a 2-ounce shot. Others find that too intense. If you’re a beginner, try mixing it.
- The Spritzer: 4 oz of Lakewood, 8 oz of sparkling water, and a squeeze of lime.
- The Smoothie Booster: Toss half a cup into your morning protein shake. The tartness cuts through the chalky taste of protein powder.
- The Nightcap: Mix it with warm water and a little cinnamon before bed.
Is the glass bottle really that important?
Yes. Lakewood uses glass for a reason. Plastic bottles can leach chemicals like BPA or phthalates into the juice, especially if they sit in a hot warehouse. Because tart cherry juice is naturally acidic, it’s even more prone to picking up those "plastic" flavors. Glass is inert. It keeps the juice tasting exactly like cherries and nothing else. Plus, it’s infinitely recyclable.
Addressing the sugar myth
You’ll see about 25g of sugar on the label. Don't panic. This is "intrinsic" sugar. It’s the sugar that was naturally inside the cherry when it was hanging on the tree. Because Lakewood doesn't filter out all the fiber and sediment—you’ll see the "sludge" at the bottom, which is the good stuff—it doesn't spike your blood sugar as aggressively as a soda would. Still, if you’re diabetic, you gotta account for those carbs. It’s potent stuff. Treat it like a supplement, not a beverage you chug by the liter while watching TV.
Common misconceptions about Lakewood
People often ask if the "Organic" version is worth the extra two bucks. Honestly? In this case, probably. Cherries are often heavily sprayed with pesticides because birds and bugs love them as much as we do. Going organic with Lakewood ensures you aren't getting a side of fungicides with your antioxidants.
Another big one: "Can I just eat the cherries?" Sure, if you can find them. Fresh Montmorency cherries have a very short shelf life. They’re usually only available for a few weeks in mid-summer in places like Michigan. For the other 48 weeks of the year, this juice is your best bet.
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Actionable steps for your first bottle
Don't just buy it and let it sit in the back of the fridge until it turns into vinegar. Here is how to actually use it to see results.
Step 1: The Shake Test.
Since Lakewood is cold-pressed and unfiltered, the nutrients settle at the bottom. Shake it like it owes you money. You want that dark sediment mixed back in.
Step 2: Start Small.
Try 4 ounces a day for the first week. See how your stomach handles the acidity. Some people with sensitive guts might find it a bit much at first.
Step 3: Timing Matters.
If you want sleep benefits, drink it 60 to 90 minutes before your head hits the pillow. If you're using it for exercise recovery, drink it within 30 minutes of finishing your workout.
Step 4: Storage.
Once you open that vacuum seal, the clock starts ticking. Because there are zero preservatives, it will start to ferment or mold after about 7 to 10 days in the fridge. Drink it up.
Lakewood Tart Cherry Juice is a rare example of a "health food" that actually lives up to the reputation. It’s simple, it’s transparent, and it’s backed by enough clinical data to satisfy the skeptics. It’s a small investment in feeling a little less inflamed and sleeping a little more soundly. Grab a bottle, check for the safety pop on the cap, and start with a small glass tonight. Your joints and your sleep cycle will likely thank you by morning.