This common berry could revolutionize your health

A new clinical trial published in Nutrients found that drinking 12 ounces of cooked black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) juice daily for one week led to several health benefits. It boosted levels of beneficial gut bacteria, improved glucose control, and increased fat oxidation. Elderberry has long been known in folk remedies for its immune-supporting properties, which are linked to its high anthocyanin content.

In this placebo-controlled study, participants who drank elderberry juice experienced a 24% drop in blood glucose and a 9% decline in insulin levels. Researchers say anthocyanins may be responsible for these metabolic improvements, and they also suggest elderberry could help inhibit viral replication. Participants likewise showed increased fat oxidation, indicating a potential role in managing weight.

To meet growing U.S. demand, researchers have filed for a provisional patent for elderberry-based supplements. However, it's crucial to cook elderberries thoroughly, as raw berries contain a cyanide-producing compound. Overall, this study underscores the idea that certain foods can act as powerful medicine for both metabolic and immune health.

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By Dr Joseph Mercola / Physician and author

Dr. Joseph Mercola has been passionate about health and technology for most of his life. As a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), he treated thousands of patients for over 20 years.

Dr. Mercola finished his family practice residency in 1985. Because he was trained under the conventional medical model, he treated patients using prescription drugs during his first years of private practice and was actually a paid speaker for drug companies.

But as he began to experience the failures of the conventional model in his practice, he embraced natural medicine and found great success with time-tested holistic approaches. He founded The Natural Health Center (formerly The Optimal Wellness Center), which became well-known for its whole-body approach to medicine.

In 1997, Dr. Mercola integrated his passion for natural health with modern technology via the Internet. He founded the website Mercola.com to share his own health experiences and spread the word about natural ways to achieve optimal health. Mercola.com is now the world’s most visited natural health website, averaging 14 million visitors monthly and with over one million subscribers.

Dr. Mercola aims to ignite a transformation of the fatally flawed health care system in the United States, and to inspire people to take control of their health. He has made significant milestones in his mission to bring safe and practical solutions to people’s health problems.

Dr. Mercola authored two New York Times Bestsellers, The Great Bird Flu Hoax and The No-Grain Diet. He was also voted the 2009 Ultimate Wellness Game Changer by the Huffington Post, and has been featured in TIME magazine, LA Times, CNN, Fox News, ABC News with Peter Jennings, Today Show, CBS’s Washington Unplugged with Sharyl Attkisson, and other major media resources.

Stay connected with Dr. Mercola by following him on Twitter. You can also check out his Facebook page for more timely natural health updates.

(Source: mercola.com; January 9, 2025; https://tinyurl.com/wsne4jx7)
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