Elderberry It has long been used in traditional medicine. This blue-black fruit contains many nutrients with a variety of benefits, ranging from overcoming colds to heart health.
Edelberry is one type of berry that belongs to the family Adoxaceae. This fruit has a small size with a distinctive soft aroma. It tastes quite sour and usually has to be cooked before eating. Elderberry commonly processed into supplements and tea.
Benefit Elderberry for health
Elderberry classified as low in calories and rich in fiber. This fruit is also a source of vitamin C and is rich in antioxidant compounds, such as flavonols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Thanks to its nutritional content, it's no wonder that elderberry has the potential to bring many health benefits, such as:
1. Relieve cold and flu symptoms
Elderberry has long been trusted as a traditional medicine to treat colds and flu. Many studies have proven that consumption of extracts elderberry able to accelerate the relief of cold and flu symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and nasal congestion.
In another study, it was also stated that people who regularly consume elderberry had a 50% lower risk of catching a cold.
2. Maintain heart health
There are studies showing that consumption of juice elderberry It can lower cholesterol and blood fat levels. Consumption of foods high in flavonoids, such as elderberry, has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
In addition, in several other studies it is known that this fruit can keep blood sugar levels normal. Controlled blood sugar levels are very important to prevent various heart health problems.
3. Healthy digestion
Consumption elderberry can be a way to maintain digestive health. In 100 grams elderberry Fresh contains about 7 grams of fiber. The presence of fiber in food can maintain the balance of good bacteria in your intestines. You will also avoid various digestive problems, such as constipation.
4. Maintain endurance
In addition to healthy digestion, fiber can make the intestines work in absorbing nutrients more optimally. If balanced with the consumption of other nutritious foods, these properties can support your immune system to be stronger.
Not only that, elderberry is also a fruit that is rich in vitamin C. Well, vitamin C is an important component for the body's immune system. This vitamin is known to support the work of the immune system in fighting viruses and bacteria that cause disease.
5. Prevent chronic diseases
Elderberry It is rich in anthocyanin which acts as an antioxidant. In fact, anthocyanins are known to have 3.5 times more antioxidant effects than vitamin E.
Thanks to the content of anthocyanins and other antioxidant compounds, consumption of elderberry can prevent various chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Apart from the benefits mentioned above, elderberry It is believed to help treat sinus infections, joint and muscle pain, toothache, and kidney problems. In fact, extract-enriched skin care products elderberry allegedly can protect the skin from sun exposure because it contains SPF.
However, these benefits still need to be studied further to ensure their effectiveness in humans.
Pay attention to this before consuming Elderberry
Unripe fruit, seeds, leaves, roots and stems elderberry contains lectins which can cause stomach problems if consumed too much. This plant also contains cyanogenic glycosides which can release cyanide in the body under certain conditions. This is of course very dangerous for your health.
There is a study which reveals that eating elderberry in its raw state it can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, numbness in the body, and loss of consciousness.
The good news, the above dangerous risks can be lost if elderberry cooked before consumption. However, remember, you can only eat the flesh of the fruit. Make sure not to include the leaves, stems, roots, or seeds, OK?
Elderberry not recommended for consumption by children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as well as pregnant and lactating women. Although there are actually no reported side effects, the safety of consumption elderberry in this group has not been determined.
Benefit elderberry for health is quite promising. Even so, making elderberry as a drug is still not recommended, yes. If you consume elderberry and experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other worrying symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
