The Surprising Health Benefits Of Elderberry

Help With Constipation

Some of the compounds found in elderberries may help with constipation. There haven't been specific studies done regarding the link between elderberries and constipation, but several of the components that make up elderberries have been proven to reduce constipation. Experts recommend brewing a tea with dried elderberries if they want to use the plant as a laxative. The main compound that causes laxative effects is anthraquinone. This substance can also be found in plants like senna and rhubarb. It inhibits the intestines from absorbing water in the same manner the digestive system usually does. The increased amount of fluid in the digestive system causes pressure in the intestines to increase. As an individual's body recognizes it needs to relieve the pressure, it will undergo abdominal muscle contractions to help clear the bowel. This is an unconventional laxative method, as most other laxatives aim to increase the bulk of stool or to redirect water to the bowel. Stimulating muscle contractions may cause more discomfort. But this method does appear to be safe to use for up to five days.

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Lower Cholesterol

There are a few helpful effects elderberries can have on cardiovascular health, including the health of an individual's blood vessels and heart. Several research studies have gathered links showing juice from elderberries can reduce fat levels in the blood and lead to a reduction in cholesterol. On top of this, the flavonoids have been proven in other independent studies to help lower an individual's risk of developing heart disease. With that said, there have been studies that didn't show a strong correlation between elderberries and heart health, so it might not work for everyone. Thirty-four study participants took four hundred milligrams of elderberry extract for two weeks, with each dose occurring three times per day. There wasn't a significant reduction found in the average cholesterol levels of the participants. One study done on mice did find adding black elderberry to a diet did reduce cholesterol in the aorta and liver, but there wasn't a significant reduction in cholesterol in the blood.

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