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Elderberry: Why you want to be taking elderberry this cold and flu season!

15 Nov Elderberry: Why you want to be taking elderberry this cold and flu season!

Posted at 09:00h in FITTEAM Nutrition by

Elderberry (Sanbusus nigra L.) is a medicinal herb that originated from Brazil, Its fruits are very small in size with a dark violet to black color.

Nutrition Profile

These tiny berries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Here is a quick summary of their nutritional components:

    1. High amount of antioxidants such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids
    2. Contains a wide variety of dietary fiber: pectin, pectic acid, protopectin, Ca-pectate, and cellulose
    3. Whole protein (9 Essential amino acids are present)
    4. Rich with PUFA and MUFA
    5. High amount of Vitamin C – comparable with oranges
    6. High amounts of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and Zinc

 

The most common famous function of elderberries is how they can make our immune system stronger. Here are the reasons why:

Anti-inflammation

Elderberry contains numerous antioxidants such as vitamins A, B, C, and other polyphenols such as phenolic compounds (anthocyanins) and flavonoids that can help in protecting the body from oxidative stress. Moreover, it inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines and increases lymphocyte numbers so you have more protectors

Elderberry also lessens other inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular diseases due to lower lipid peroxidation and lower uric acid and diabetes due to lowered fasting blood glucose and reduced insulin resistance. It was also found that long-term inflammation in chronic diseases that may lead to organ damage decreased by 50% under the influence of elderberry.

Antibacterial and Antiviral

Elderberry increases the level of antibodies in response to any foreign bodies in the body such as bacteria. Elderberry also helps coat the cells to prevent these foreign bodies from penetrating the cell and possibly infect the cells. Thus, the body has a faster response to the disease which can give faster relief. This amazing fruit also inhibits the activity and growth of other bacterias.

 

You should always discuss with your doctor your health and wellness needs and there were numerous levels/ doses that were used in the research noted so this article is not intending to make any specific health claims about elderberry’s abilities to treat any illnesses. It is however exciting to see all of the positive research surrounding elderberry, which is an ingredient found in FITTEAM IMMUNE!

 

Maryann Walsh, MFN, RD, CDE
Registered Dietitian/ Nutrition Communications Specialist

 

 

References

  1. 1 Vlachojannis, J. E., Cameron, M., & Chrubasik, S. (2010). A systematic review on the sambuci fructus effect and efficacy profiles. Phytotherapy Research, 24(1), 1–8. doi:10.1002/ptr.2729
  2. url to share this paper:
  3. Młynarczyk, K., Walkowiak-Tomczak, D., & Łysiak, G. P. (2018). Bioactive properties of Sambucus nigra L. as a functional ingredient for food and pharmaceutical industry. Journal of functional foods, 40, 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.11.025
  5. Benevides Bahiense, J., Marques, F. M., Figueira, M. M., Vargas, T. S., Kondratyuk, T. P., Endringer, D. C., Scherer, R., & Fronza, M. (2017). Potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Sambucus australis. Pharmaceutical Biology, 55(1), 991–997. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2017.1285324
  6. Sidor, A., & Gramza-Michałowska, A. (2015). Advanced research on the antioxidant and health benefit of elderberry (Sambucus nigra) in food – a review. Journal of Functional Foods, 18, 941–958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2014.07.012
  7. M. Groza, D. Jiltaru, L Badescu, M. Ciocoiu. 2011. Evaluation of the immune defense in diabetes mellitus using an experimental model. Romanian Biotechnology Letters, 16, 5971-5979
  8. M. Ciocoiu, L. Badescu, O. Badulescu, D. Tutunaru, M. Badescu. 2012b. Protective intervention of Sambucus nigrapolyphenols in the diabetic heart. Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology, 17 (2012), pp. 312-317
  9. Farrell, N. J., Norris, G. H., Ryan, J., Porter, C. M., Jiang, C., & Blesso, C. N. (2015). Black elderberry extract attenuates inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in diet-induced obese mice. The British journal of nutrition, 114(8), 1123–1131. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114515002962
  10. C. Hearst, G. McCollum, D. Nelson, L.M. Ballard, B.C. Millar, C.E. Goldsmith, et al. 2010.Anti-bacterial activity of elder (Sambucus nigra L) flower or berry against Pathogens. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 4(17)(2010), pp. 1805-1809