A Promising New Era of Health & American Elderberries

We know at River Hills Harvest, if you are reading about elderberries, you are interested in your health. Traditionally elderberries have been used as a home medicine for hundreds of years, used to help with colds and flus, inflammation, to boost the immune system and more.

There is a lot of research done on our European counterpart elderberry, the Sambucus nigra. But those of us using elderberries native to the USA, American Black Elderberries or Sambucus nigra (spp. canadensis), there's not as much research that's been done in regard to our health.

We believe our American elderberries are superior to others found across the globe. Today we want to present you with a few promising studies being done with our American elderberries and let you know what leads us to believe ours are the best.

Commercial elderberry farming has only been around in the USA for about 25 years. These farms are growing elderberries that were at one point selected from the wild from across the country. This is why us and other American elderberry growers have started using the wording American elderberries as opposed to just elderberries. We want our consumers to understand the origin of their elderberries and the differences in them as opposed to what is imported from across the globe.

The University of Missouri received a 5.4-million-dollar grant to research many aspects of our American elderberries from growing them and what effects they have on our health. We are beginning to see some of their studies and findings unfold and it's pretty exciting! This is a start for American elderberry farmers and product makers.

Here is an article on Morning Ag Clips where Andrew Thomas talks about what they'll do with the grant, University of Missouri researcher receives $5.4M grant for elderberry research. You can also visit Mizzou's Advancing American Elderberry website where they cover what's happening. Now let's talk health...

Cyanogenic Glycoside Levels

One important aspect that has set our black American elderberries apart from others is the fact that they do not need to be boiled to consume. This is why our grandparents often spoke of eating them right off the plant. Most elderberry recipes you find will instruct you to cook your berries to a certain point, with our American elderberries you do not need to do this (unless of course the actual recipe itself requires a level of cooking). In fact, our Premium American Elderberry Juice is only ever heated to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Here is an article about the study of cyanogenic glycoside levels in American elderberries, Cyanogenic Glycoside Analysis in American Elderberry.

Antioxidants

In addition, our black American elderberries contain at least 4 more known antioxidants than Sambucus nigra berries. Why does this matter? First, it allows our juice to stay a beautiful red color when bottled as opposed to a brown liquid with green film sticking to the sides of the bottle. Second and most important, is it makes our juice actually taste good! Here is a paper on the findings when compared, Total phenolic, anthocyanin contents and antioxidant capacity of selected elderberry (Sambucus canadensis L.) accessions.

Brain Health

Perhaps the most exciting study being conducted is with our very own River Hills Harvest Premium American Elderberry Juice. This study looks at the effects of our juice and how it may be able to help with mild cognitive impairment (Alzheimer's disease and dementia). Patients/participants are given our juice three times a day. You can read the article here, Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of American Elderberry Juice for Improving Cognition and Inflammation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. This same study also just released a follow up paper, here are the findings: Preliminary Effects of American Elderberry Juice on Cognitive Functioning in Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients: A Secondary Analysis of Cognitive Composite Scores in a Randomized Clinical Trial. If you are consuming our American elderberry juice, the recommended daily dose is 1-2 TBSP per day.

What we have presented today is what we hope to just be the beginning of new research to come. Stay tuned for more information about elderberries and your gut health, weight loss and more! We believe in American elderberries here at River Hills Harvest and we think our consumers do too. There are a number of products available in the USA that are made with American elderberries but it's a slim amount compared to those made with imported elderberries. We hope you are conscious when choosing your elderberry products and choose only those that are being made with American elderberries that support American farms.

Ways to stay up to date on the most recent American elderberry developments:

• Follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

• Subscribe to our newsletter.

• Visit the Health page on our website.

• Follow Advancing American Elderberry.

Until next time, cheers to your health!

Heather

I am Heather Wilson, of the River Hills Harvest crew. By being part of the company, I am blessed to have access to American elderberries in all forms. I enjoy experimenting with new ways to incorporate them into my diet, as well as other natural plants, berries and more. I have a background in greenhouse management as well as floral design and am involved in the art community as an artist, when time allows. I enjoy playing guitar and writing songs. I also enjoy wandering in nature with no real purpose, because a purpose always presents itself. It’s a busy life, but one that I love and feel lucky to be a part of.