Elderberry’s Immune-Boosting Benefits
Elderberries have been shown to carry antiviral properties that help fight off infections. A study from the University of Sydney, led by researcher Golnoosh Torabian, Ph.D., revealed that elderberry has a strong and direct effect against flu viruses.
The fruit works by interfering with the early stages of infection. It blocks viral proteins that are needed for viruses to latch onto and enter human cells.
How Elderberry Fights Viruses: Study Highlights
Scientists used elderberry serum on the flu virus and found it had a mild blocking effect before the virus entered cells but was much more effective at stopping the virus from spreading once cells were infected. Co-author Dr. Peter Valtchev described the results as surprising and encouraging, highlighting that targeting multiple stages of a virus’s life cycle could improve chances of stopping infection.
The study also showed elderberry boosts the immune response by increasing cytokine production, which helps the body fight infections more effectively. The key compounds behind these effects are anthocyanidins, plant pigments known for their antiviral and antioxidant properties.
