Elderberries Benefits, Risks, And Precautions
Learn how elderberries can help enhance your immune system, lower cholesterol level, and prevent diseases like fever, flu, and even cancer.
Remarkable for their nutritional benefits, elderberries are also great for medical benefits.
Besides, these kinds of berries can be found in cosmetic products too; they are great for all skin types and have a soothing effect when applied.
You can drink elderberry syrup which will aid your sore throat and help with fever and even coughing. Moreover, you can use it for headaches, body aches, and fatigue.
There is just one important thing you must never forget: don’t eat raw elderberry.
Make sure that you always cook them because they can be toxic. So always cook elderberries before eating or using them in any shape or form.
That is pretty much the most important thing you need to remember about elderberries.
Now I will surprise you with all of its health and nutrition benefits that will make you include this kind of berry into your diet.
Surprising Benefits Of Elderberries
In this particular berry, you will find lots of antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins that are what you need to boost your immune system.
Here are all the real benefits you can look for when consuming elderberries:
1. Help Boost The Immune System
Because the berries are filled with a high nutrient concentration, it will get your immunity system going. Your body will increase its immunity against various illnesses like the flu, headache, or fewer.
All this is possible because this plant will increase your white blood cells, which are essential in the fight against germs.
Besides being filled with vitamin C, you will also get a good dose of vitamins A and B. And you need these vitamins to boost your immunity.
2. Have Lots Of Nutrients
As I was saying before, they are packed with vitamin C. The daily recommended dose of elderberry is equivalent to 57% of your daily vitamin C needs. You can also satisfy 35% of your daily fiber needs.
Another thing that elderberries are rich in is antioxidants. These are great in the fight against diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Get a helping hand by consuming these berries, which are also recommended for obese people, because they are low in calories.
3. Filled With Antioxidants
Antioxidants can help your body fight and prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cancer. So make sure that your daily diet includes lots of antioxidants.
You can find antioxidants in other kinds of berries too, but the highest amount can be found in elderberries.
Elderberries contain antioxidants not just in the fruit but in the flowers and the leaves too.
4. Good For Heart Health
When consuming elderberries, your cholesterol levels get lower and the fats in your blood are reduced.
It is what you need to increase blood flow and it can even improve blood vessel health by reducing inflammation.
You can also take elderberry supplements which are great for regulating your blood pressure.
We all know that high blood pressure can play a major role in deadly illnesses like sudden heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.
If you have a bad diet, uric acid (which is a waste product found in the blood) can gather improperly in the body. This, in turn, can cause high blood pressure and gallstones.
So you can consume some elderberry syrup to lower the uric acid levels to normal. Elderberry flowers can also be used in lowering blood sugar levels.
The Negative Health Effects Of The Elderberry
Not everything about this berry is perfect. It has certain aspects that are not beneficial to your health.
So if you made it this far, make sure to check all that is bad about the elderberry here:
1. Stay Away From Unripped Elderberries
Unripped elderberries contain lectins, and if you consume too much of them, you can end up with stomach issues.
2. Do Not Consume Them Uncooked
Eating uncooked berries can lead to certain health issues like nausea, vomiting, and even diarrhea. This happens because of certain toxic substances found in the plant.
All of these toxins can be easily removed by cooking the plant before you eat it.
3. Harmful For Children And Pregnant Women
It is not recommended for children under the age of 18 or pregnant women. People included in this category should try to avoid or at least restrict consumption.
The Takeaway
That is everything you need to know about elderberries. So now that you have all the knowledge, you can consume them without any negative consequences.
To stay on the safe side, try to get your elderberry from trusted companies rather than cook it by yourself.
And make sure that you are only consuming the recommended amount of it.
Get an immunity boost, better heart health, and be headache free just by consuming elderberries.
