Sambucol And Other Sambucus (Elderberry) Extracts - Reviews And Recommendations
Sambucol and other sambucus (Elderberry) extracts in the form of syrups and tablets are marketed as being able to boost immune system, improve overall health and help fight many health issues. But are they as effective as their manufacturers claim?
In article My Reviews - Berry Thin, Raspberry Ketones, Acai Berry Thin, we have shown that many claims regarding effects of 'miracle' supplements for weight loss is simply not correct - after all, 'certain' doctors and celebrities have confessed that their claims regarding effectiveness of such supplements are not based on scientific or any other study.
So, what about Sambucol and other sambucus (Elderberry) extracts? Do they really work?
Nutritional value of 100g of black elderberries - 0.7g of protein, 18g of carbohydrates, 0.5g of fats, 7g of fibers, for a total of 73 kcal. Elderberries are rich in vitamin C (36 mg - 43%), vitamin B6 (0.23mg - 18%) and iron (1.6mg - 12%). They contain many other vitamins and minerals in lower amounts, and they contain no cholesterol and negligible amount of sodium.
Fully ripe fruits of Black elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) are edible, but fruits of all other elderberries should be considered NON EDIBLE. After cooking and processing, they are safe!
Amounts of vitamins and minerals are not as high as some want to suggest, but there are many other beneficial compounds present that do their job well.
If you are not able to grow your own elderberries, there are elderberry based products on the market in the form of tablets, syrups and various extracts. Be sure to always read descriptions, but also reviews and recommendations carefully - if they are marketed as 'miracle' supplements or anything similar, stay away from them. Marketing is one thing, real life something else.
Elderberries have been used for centuries and they have passed the test of time. Then and today, they are used to boost immune system, help relieve nasal congestion, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, help fight various cancers, treat respiratory illnesses like cold and flu, help heal the wounds (applied to the skin), help with arthritis etc.
For more info on this topic, feel free to check these external links (links open in the new windows):
- A comparative evaluation of the anticancer properties of European and American elderberry fruits, PubMed 17201636
- Randomized Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Elderberry Extract in the Treatment of Influenza A and B Virus Infections, SAGE Journals
- The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines, PubMed 11399518
- The immunomodulatory effect of Sambucol on leishmanial and malarial infections, PubMed 19214946
- The effect of herbal remedies on the production of human inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, PubMed 12455180
Recommended Elderberry Products
Note: author of this text never consumed any of these products - I prefer to grow my own berries, elderberries included.
No supplement in any form can substitute balanced, healthy diet, but some of them can make a difference, regardless if you live and eat healthy or prefer 'fast food' type of nutrition.
Anyway, here are several elderberry products in various forms that have been tested by many people in many situations. They have passed the test many times, but they also fail from time to time - there is no universal remedy for every illness and/or every person.
All links are Amazon links and they open in the new window.
Before buying any of these or any other similar products, read what other people have to say about them - IMHO, these products are good and we wouldn't recommended them for no reason.
But that is just our opinion ... :)
