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"More Blueberry Pie, Please"
Friday, April 1, 2005
Ever since I was
young I loved berries: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. There wasn’t a berry I didn’t like;
if you served it in pie, I liked it even more. Well, nowadays things haven’t changed, but
now I like berries for more than just their taste. I’m so please to read mounting evidence
about how beneficial berries are to our health.
Anyone who knows me
personally will agree, that at one time or another, I have talked (no, raved) about one very special
berry, the elderberry. Elderberry Extract
(Sambucusnigra) is a member of the honeysuckle family that has been used in foods and medicine for
thousands of years; in my family for about five years.
The plant’s
dark berries make delicious wines, jams and pies; however I’ve come to rely on Elderberry Extract
during the cold and flu season (or at the
first sign of a viral infection). Research indicates that elderberries have the ability to prevent and even treat a
virus...every time I tell someone that, they look at me in disbelief. I say, “don’t
take my word for it, see for yourself”. (Herbal Healing Secrets for Women, Laurel Vukovic–Prentice Hall,
2000)
Since the 1980’s,
Israeli virologist Madeleine
Mumcuoglu, PhD, of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical center in Jerusalem has studied the antiviral properties of elderberries.
In laboratory research, she discovered compounds in
elderberries that bind to spikes on the surface of virus cells,
preventing them from puncturing cell membranes. The high concentrations of flavonoids (supports
cardiovascular health) in elderberries inhibit the action of neuraminidase, the enzyme that helps
the flu virus attach to and penetrate new cells.
Mumcuoglu tested Sambucol, the proprietary elderberry extract she helped develop, against various strains of
influenza A and B inthe laboratory and found
the herb effective against all types of flu.
(Journal of
Alternative and Complementary Medicine,1995, vol. 1,no.4)
Proof in the pudding: In 1993, a
flu epidemicat an Israeli kibbutz provided the opportunity to test elderberry onpatients with
full-blown flu symptoms (half of the subjects were givena placebo).
- Within 24
hours, 20 percent of the patients receiving elderberry showed a dramatic reduction in flu
symptoms such as fever, cough and muscle pain.
- Within 48 hours, 75 percent
were greatly improved.
- Within 72 hours, 90 percent had completely
recovered from the flu.
- In contrast, only 8 percent of those taking the placebo
began to improve after 24 hours.
- The
remaining 92 percent took six days to improve
(Journalof Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 1995, vol.
1,no.4)
Even now my children
will say to me, “ Mommy, I feel sick, I need Elderberry”. So
far, we’ve had great success with Elderberry Extract; it makes me feel better knowing that
I’m giving my children something “natural” instead of over the counter medicines all of
the time.
Nowadays, many
herbalists recommend elderberry syrups and extracts for
preventing and treating upper-respiratory viral infections, including coughs and bronchitis. The berries are also a good source of phytonutrients and have cell-protective antioxidant properties.
Another all-star
berry: Growing up I remember the pure delight of homemade blueberry piea la mode.
My mom and I just couldn’t get enough of it. To this day, I still
love it. Is it the buttery crust or the plump berries?
Who knows? What I do know is that blueberries also carry quite a
nutritional punch.
There has certainly been
a lot of press lately on the antioxidant properties of blueberries. In a recent study, researchers with the Department of Agriculture at Tufts
University tested the effects of blueberry supplementation on older animals.
Their results stated,
“Our
data indicates for the first time that it may be possible to overcome genetic predisposition to
Alzheimer disease through diet.”
In another study, the USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA) lab, neuroscientists
discovered that
“Feeding blueberries to laboratory rats slowed age-related loss in
their mental capacity, a finding that has important implications for humans. The high antioxidant
activity of blueberries probably played a significant role.”
“Blueberries rank #1
in antioxidant activity when
compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help
neutralize harmful by-products of metabolism called"free radicals" that can lead to cancer
and other age related diseases. Anthocyanin -- the pigment that makes the blueberries blue -- is thought to be responsible for this major health
benefit.” (AmesBN, Shigenaga MK, HagenTM.
Oxidants antioxidants, and the degenerativediseases of aging. Proc.Natl. Acid. Sci. USA
90:7915-7922, 1993)
Research findings like
this continue to encourage me to add organic blueberries to anything I can, like smoothies, salads
and of course pies! This one simple dietary suggestion may have the power to
save thousands of individuals and their families the effects of terrible diseases.
It’s amazing what
these small, juicy packages from nature can do for us. They offer
flavor,fiber, fulfillment and so many health benefits. I’ll take some
elderberry juice with my blueberry pie
if you please! More bang for your berry!!
I
will definitely be on the lookout for future research like this; I’ll keep you posted!
"May all your arrows of true intent find their
perfect center"
author
unknown
All the
best,
Beth
Aldrich
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