Exceptional Elderberries
One of the most scrumptious fruits found on earth, elderberries are well-known for their nutritional properties. This purple juicy fruit also looks visually attractive and is loaded with enormous health and beauty benefits. Additionally, elderberries are powerhouse of essential minerals and vitamins that makes it one of the healthiest fruits to include in your diet.
Nutritional Value
A standard 100 grams serving of elderberries contains an ample amount of vitamin C almost 60 per cent, another 12 per cent of vitamin A, with 11 per cent of vitamin B6 and other elements like thiamin, riboflavin, iron, potassium, calcium etc. All these vitamins and minerals keep you healthy and maintain the smooth functioning of your body. Thus, elderberries can be a good addition to your diet and also helps boost your digestive system. It fulfills your daily requirement of fibre too. The blue and purple elderberries are gathered together and made into wine, jam, syrup and pies.
Properties
- Antioxidants
- Diaphoretic
- Diuretic
- Laxative
- Immune boosting
- Anti-inflammatory
Benefits
- This fruit keeps cholesterol under control
- Controls high blood sugar levels
- Maintains bone health
- Promotes clean, clear and youthful skin
- Prevents influenza successfully
- Keeps infections at bay
- Helps in relieving nasal congestion
- Reduces inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder
- Treats respiratory illnesses such as cold and flu
- It is anti-cancerous
- Its extract reduces oxidation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol
- Could also prove beneficial in healing bronchitis and bacterial sinus infections
- Might also be effective against H1N1 or swine flu
- The leaves, roots, bark and flowers of these berries can treat skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, boils, cuts, burns and wounds
- This fruit can even help in weight loss
- Treats tonsillitis too
Side Effects
Despite several health benefits you should be careful while consuming this fruit, as it also contains some poisonous properties.
- Raw elderberries and other parts of the elderberries tree are poisonous as they contain a chemical that produces cyanide which may cause nausea and vomiting
- Taking large amounts of elderberries may increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia
Caution
Elderberries should always be consumed in cooked form and always make sure the berries are fully ripe. Also, those suffering from any autoimmune disorders and expecting mothers should avoid the consumption of these berries.