A Little-Known Berry Packs a Big Antioxidant Punch
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 | Updated 10:18 PM CST
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Black elderberries are thought to be good for the immune system because of their high levels of antioxidants.
NOTTINGHAM, England - A little known berry called black elderberry, or Sambucus nigra L for the brainiacs among us, is about to become more prevalent in the US. Sambucol® is a dietary supplement that contains black elderberry extract and, starting this month, it will be more widely available via chains such as CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.
Why is this good news?
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), elderberries have twice the antioxidant capacity of blueberries and significantly more than the capacity of cranberries. Antioxidants are considered extremely valuable for the immune system. “They play a very important role in preventing and treating infectious diseases," according to Claire Wheeler, M.D., an instructor at Portland State University's School of Public Health and a former Associate Fellow in the Andrew Weil, M.D. training program for physicians at the University of Arizona.
Black elderberries have been used to treat colds, flu, fever, burns, cuts and more for ages. In fact, black elderberry use has been found dating back to the Stone Ages and Ancient Egypt. One 4-ounce bottle of Sambucol(R) contains the equivalent of up to 1,000 black elderberries, which is a bit easier to swallow.
Copyright Associated Press
Posted Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 - 10:18 PM CST
