Looking for a gut-healthy drink to add to your routine? Gastroenterologist Joseph Salhab, D.O. shared his favorite juice on Instagram, which has been shown to provide ample health benefits, including a positive impact on gut health.

“I am not a fan of most fruit juices. Most juices remove the beneficial compounds that fruit normally gives,” Salhab writes in his post. “However, one exception for me is juices high in antioxidants and polyphenols,” referring to tart cherry, cranberry and blueberry juice.

The doctor especially loves tart cherry juice because according to recent research, the juice was shown to help decrease inflammatory markers for people with inflammatory gut conditions, likely due to its high levels of anthocyanins and chlorogenic acids.

“Gut bacteria can use [polyphenols] to produce anti-inflammatory compounds in the gut,” Salhab explains in the video. 

And its gut-friendly formula isn’t the only reason you should try the juice, says the doctor: “I’ll also drink it at night because it’s a natural source of melatonin.” Salhab recommends diluting the juice with ice water for a hydrating drink to help you sleep.

You can drink tart cherry juice as-is or diluted to reap the benefits, or you can dress it up in a mocktail, like our highly-rated Tart Cherry Nighttime Mocktail. Either way, be sure to buy 100% juice and not juice concentrate, per the doctor’s recommendation.

“Juices can often be high in calories, so there’s no need to overdo it—make it yourself or choose one without added sugar,” he states. While high added sugar intake can cause symptoms like chronic fatigue, excessive thirst and weight gain, sources of natural sugar like fruit can have the opposite effects due to their nutrient density. So don’t fear natural sugar; by avoiding it, you could be missing out on essential healthy nutrients in your diet.