This superfood berry is a highly valued medicinal herb in the lead for most antioxidants out of all other berries that assist to relieve colds, the flu virus and boosts the immune system.
Native to Europe, historical medicine practices use the berries or syrup to treat the flu, various infections, nerve pain, migraines, and chest pain. It was believed that elderflowers and leaves relieved pain, inflammation and induce a detoxification process like sweating. The bark was used to promote normal bodily functions such as production of urine, induced vomiting and as a natural laxative.
The Many Benefits Of Elderberry
1. Nutrient Dense
Elderberries contain vitamin A & C potassium, folate, calcium, iron, and fibre.
2. Immune Booster
Elderberry extract has been found to reduce the length and severity of symptoms caused by the influenza virus. Commercial preparations of Elderberry for the treatment of colds come in various forms, including liquids, capsules, lozenges and gummies.
Phenolic acids: These compounds are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce damage from oxidative stress in the body.
Flavonols: Elderberry contains the antioxidant flavonols quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin. Elderflowers contain up to 10 times more flavonoids than other berries.
Anthocyanins: These compounds give the fruit its characteristic dark black-purple color and are a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Eliminates Constipation
The high fiber content of Elderberries can help to eliminate constipation, reduce excess gas and generally increase the health of the gastrointestinal system. The dietary fiber contained in these berries can also increase nutrient uptake efficiency, especially in the gut, helping you to get more out of the food that you eat.
4. Reduces Blood Pressure
Elderberries may reduce levels of uric acid in the blood. Elevated uric acid is linked to increased blood pressure and negative effects on heart health. Due to the high antioxidant levels, taking elderberry could potentially increase buoyancy in the blood vessels and capillaries over time, helping blood move through the body and possibly even stabilizing blood pressure.
5. Helps Weight Loss
Elderberry's fiber addresses many health issues. Interestingly the one that seems to be most powerful is the connection to weight loss. Because it speeds up metabolism, many people choose to drink teas or juices with elderberry. It has the effect of making you feel full so that you are not fighting hunger pangs, and it has a low-calorie count. Overall, with elderberry, not only will you slim down, but also adopt a few healthy habits.
6. Reduces appearance of wrinkles and age spots
Due to its high Vitamin A ,elderberries may soothe the skin, help ease the appearance of age spots, and prevent or lessen wrinkles. Elderberries can help the skin regenerate new healthy cells forming new healthy tissue that may result in the reduction and even prevention of premature wrinkles in an individual.
7. Alleviates Respiratory Conditions
If you suffer from sinus infections, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidants in elderberry syrup can help clear it up. Elderberry has also been known to reduce duration of upper respiratory symptoms like cough, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and sore throat,
The syrup has also been used for fighting upper respiratory infections. Elderberries boost immunity by increasing the production of inflammatory cytokines. And this way, they also help treat upper respiratory tract infections and other respiratory ailments.
8. Helps to Managing Diabetes
Elderberry can increase insulin secretion and improve blood sugar levels. People with diabetes have benefited from the antioxidants in elderberry because they regulate insulin and glucose levels in the pancreas. As a natural remedy elderberry helps stabilize those who have been diagnosed with diabetes and helps prevent the full-blown disease in others.
Based on research using both the flower and the berry of elderberry for diabetes, extracts can stimulate glucose metabolism. This helps to lower blood sugar levels. The pancreas moves towards an optimal function in diabetics. During this process, called glycogenesis, excess sugar is removed from the bloodstream and into the muscles and liver.
9. Promotes Bone Health
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in elderberries alleviate joint pain and soreness. Amazingly they could also help people with autoimmune diseases like lupus. Often, the use of elderberry is a measure to counter the effects of osteoporosis, which causes a loss of bone density. Elderberry helps promote bone strength and develops new bone tissue, so it is best to use it earlier rather than later in life. It could give osteoporosis a considerable delay.
10. Aids in Eliminating Excess Cholesterol
Elderberries help eliminate excess cholesterol from the system and make room for HDL (good) cholesterol that the body needs. This can help eliminate the chances of developing atherosclerosis and other cardiovascularissues. Additionally, a diet rich in flavonoids like anthocyanins has been found to reduce the risk of heartdisease. The high level of potassium in the berries also protects the heart by relaxing the tension of blood vessels and arteries. As a vasodilator, potassium can significantly reduce blood pressure and keep your heart healthy!
11. May Clear Acne
Elderberry may help fight acne because of its antiseptic effects. Elderberries have shown to support skin health thanks to its anthocyanin content, or the compound that gifts berries’ vibrant color. Anthocyanins have shown to combat the internal consequences of natural aging, therefore improving the external appearance of skin tone and glow. Elderberry is also a rich source of vitamins A and C, each showing to moisture the skin and maintain its integrity.
12. Allergy Relief
Elderberry has an immune stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a great natural remedy for allergy symptoms. As to the immune stimulating property of Elderberry, it helps the person to reduce the duration and severity of the illness. One of the biggest immune system boosters of all is the vitamin C. In fact, a lack of vitamin C can even make you more prone to getting sick.
Elderflower’s anti-catarrhal action is also effective in clearing congestion and runny noses caused by seasonal allergies. Inflammation of the sinuses, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, swelling and a runny or stuffy nose can all benefit from this potent herb. It is thought to be particularly good for hay fever and strengthening the upper respiratory tract.
13. May Assist in Fighting Cancer
The anthocyanins in elderberry make them anti-carcinogenic and give them the properties to help fight cancer. In fact, some studies have shown that elderberry can inhibit, delay or reverse cancer. In most cases, the European elderberry plant is the one used for fighting cancer. American elderberry has not grown in a way that makes it chemopreventive. However, the success of European studies points to elderberry as a potential natural cure for the disease.
14. Can Boost Vision Health
Being rich in vitamins A and B6, elderberries can help prevent serious vision ailments like glaucoma and macular degeneration. The antioxidant activity of elderberries also helps ensure vision health in the long run.
15. Improve Brain Health
One study talks about how the anthocyanins in berries (including elderberries) can help treat cognitive impairment and the resultant conditions like Alzheimer’s. Elderberries are also replete with quercetin, which is an important flavonoid critical for brain health. Quercetin reduces the harmful inflammation at a cellular level. It also activates the mitochondria in your cells – which are powerhouses that boost cell health.
Although elderberry shows many promising benefits, there’s no one-size-fits-all remedy for illness. Supporters of elderberry say the fruit is one of nature’s most versatile solutions for what ails you, though much more research needs to be done. Needless to say, by incorporating elderberries into your diet you will be adding many beneficial nutrients while also improving your overall health.