Edelberry is a 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 is commonly processed into supplements and teas.

Elderberries are 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:

Elderberry has long been trusted as a traditional remedy for colds and flu. Many studies have shown that consuming elderberry extract can speed up 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 have a 50% lower risk of developing colds.

There are studies showing that consumption of elderberry juice 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 health problems in the heart.

Consumption of elderberry can be a way to maintain digestive health. In 100 grams of fresh elderberry contained 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.

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.

Elderberry is rich in anthocyanin which can act 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, elderberry consumption can prevent various chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cancer.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, elderberry is believed to help treat sinus infections, joint and muscle pain, toothache, and kidney problems. In fact, skin care products enriched with elderberry extract are thought to protect the skin from sun exposure because they contain SPF.

However, these benefits still need to be studied further to ensure their effectiveness in humans.

Unripe fruit, seeds, leaves, roots, and stems of elderberry contain lectins that can cause stomach problems if consumed in excess. 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 revealed that eating elderberry in its raw state 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 is 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.

Elderberry is not recommended for consumption by children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as well as pregnant and lactating women. Although no side effects have been reported, the safety of elderberry consumption in this group has not been established.

The benefits of elderberry for health are quite promising. Even so, using elderberry as medicine is still not recommended, huh. If you are taking elderberry and experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other worrying symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.