5 Reasons To Have A Cup Of Elderberry Tea On Your Health

With their tart and tangy flavor, elderberries are a real treat whether baked into pies, crumbles, or simmered into jams and liqueurs. But here's something exciting for all you tea lovers out there: elderberries are just as fantastic in a cup of tea! The elderberry plant, also known as Sambucus nigra, has a rich history in traditional medicine, dating back through the ages.

While you can find different types of elderberries across North America and Europe, it's the ones with black or blue berries that are cherished for their medicinal properties, unlike their red berry cousins. According to experts at the University of Michigan, brewing up a pot of elderberry tea with dried berries or flowers is not only a breeze but also brings a host of health benefits. Let's explore what this wonderful brew has in store for you!

# Gives You A Shot Of Protective Antioxidants

Elderberry fruits (berries) and flowers are a rich source of antioxidants like anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, and proanthocyanidins and can increase your body’s antioxidant capacity thanks to these polyphenols.And why is this important? Antioxidants counter free radicals that damage your DNA and cells and contribute to aging as well as many diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, vision loss etc.

All of us grapple with them on a daily basis – not only does your body produce free radicals during the process of converting food to energy, these damaging chemicals are also a reality when we eat refined and processed foods in excess, smoke and drink, expose ourselves to environmental pollutants, grapple with stress etc. Besides a balanced lifestyle, a healthy dose of antioxidants via diet can work well to fend off free radicals. So enjoy the strong dose of antioxidants that your elderberry tea provides.

# Bolsters Your Immune System And Fights Viruses

We may be constantly exposed to dangerous pathogens but our immune system is, thankfully, always standing guard, protecting us from infections and diseases. If you want to give your immune system a helping hand, think elderberries. A cuppa may be just what the doctor ordered to strengthen this defense system.

# Fights Respiratory Illnesses Like Cold And Flu

A sore, painful throat, constant sneezing, and a runny nose – the common cold may be comparatively harmless but its symptoms can sure wear you thin. If a cold is something you’ve come to dread, a cup of elderberry tea may be just what you need to fight this common scourge.

Air travelers often bear the brunt of colds and other respiratory illnesses because of cabin climate conditions, fatigue, and lowered immunity from travel. But one study that looked at overseas air travelers found that elderberry fruit extract helped protect them against respiratory symptoms. People who took it – starting 10 days before they the trip and continuing to have them till 4–5 days after – experienced a reduction in the duration as well as the severity of cold if they did get one.

# Eases Aches And Pains

Animal studies show that elderberry has a reasonable analgesic effect, so if aches, pains, or muscle soreness is making you miserable, having a cup of elderberry tea may be a good idea. It has even been suggested as a supplementary painkiller for medical conditions such as sciatica, migraine, or neuralgic pain.

# Helps Manage Your Blood Sugar Levels

Unmanaged diabetes can lead to serious conditions such as nerve damage, heart disease, kidney disease, and eye problems. If you have been on the lookout for alternative complementary remedies for controlling diabetes, elderberry tea is worth a shot.

Normally, the hormone insulin helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells where it is converted into energy. But in people with insulin resistance, liver, fat, and muscle cells don’t respond as they should to insulin and therefore are unable to absorb glucose easily from the blood. This can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.