Impact On Urinary Parameters
Research on the impact of some proprietary elder concentrate on the urinary electrolyte balance showed that 200ml of concentrate made from fresh berries, flower juice and dried flower extract, did not influence pH, hydrogen ion concentration and 24h hydrogen excretion in urine collected from 11 participants. Elderberry concentrate also had no impact on the solubility of stone-inducing ions, which suggests that it can be used in patients with idiopathic nephrolithiasis without any risk of harm . Elderberry as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules containing flower extract had no apparent inhibitory effect on uridine diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase . IC50 values were higher than 500µg/mL for all the five studied UGTs enzymes in vitro, such as UGT1A1, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 .
Berries Help In Reducing Inflammation Of The Joints
Gout is characterized by inflammation of the joints caused by urate deposits.
Though non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment, they have adverse effects on health. Thus, natural treatments offer a safer alternative.
Berries consist of phenolic compounds and flavonoids like resveratrol and anthocyanin which possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Resveratrol has been identified as a very potent anti-inflammatory agent, stronger than the commonly used drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin.
Its potential to treat chronic inflammation in various ailments including arthritis has been proved by numerous studies.
It inhibits the inflammatory pathways activated by TNF- which is the cause of many inflammatory diseases.
It inhibits interleukins and nuclear factor-kappa B , which are known to cause inflammation in the cells of cartilages.
Also, studies have shown that anthocyanins present in cherries can help with inflammation in arthritis cases.
In animal models, extracts from mulberry and cherry, which contain anthocyanins have been used for treating arthritis-related inflammations, by inhibiting the inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins and TNF- .
Extracts from other berries like barberry and raspberry have also revealed anti-inflammatory behaviour in studies.
What does this mean? Berries reduce joint swelling and pain by inhibiting various inflammatory pathways in the body.
My Elderberry And Gout Story
Ive never tried elderberry in any form. Except a taste of elderberry wine a long time ago. The memory doesnt tempt me to try again. Though looking at a few recipes in preparation for potential food articles, I might be tempted by elderberry jam.
But mainly, I will be writing the next chapters. Including some, all, or none of:
- General research into health properties of elderberries, anthocyanins, and quercetin.
- Uric acid and elderberry research.
- Food sources for anthocyanins and quercetin.
- Gout friendly elderberry recipes.
Also Check: Pictures Of Gout In Your Foot
Chemical Composition And Nutritional Value
With regard to vitamins present in S. nigra, several studies mention ascorbic acid, but the quantitative findings are pretty inconsistent. According to Kaack and Austed, the content of ascorbic acid ranges between 6 and 25mg/100g of elderberry fruit and depends on the cultivar. The highest content of this vitamin was found in Mammut and the lowestin Sambu and Haschberg . According to other studies, vitamin C content in wild elderberry is 1335mg/100g and 2834mg/100g, depending on the location . Still others report a vitamin C concentration between 32.7544.42mg/100g, with the highest content being found in the Samyl cultivar and the lowest amounts in wild elderberries . Furthermore, elderberry seed flour is a source of -Tocopherol , which has the highest vitamin E bioactivity, as well as -Tocopherol , which shows better antioxidant potential .
Results From This Study Demonstrated That Consumption Of Fresh Or Canned Cherries Prevented Attacks Of Arthritis And Restored Blood Concentration Of Uric Acid A Marker For Gout To Normal Levels In All 12 Patients
Is elderberry juice good for gout. Consuming elderberry juice can keep your heart in good condition. Be very careful with elderberries. Apple Juice comes highly recommended to manage excess uric acid found in your body.
The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. My Top 7 Berries for Natural Gout Relief. Many people assume that because elderberry is a fruit the liquid expressed through the extraction process is a juice and that it can be consumed just like a juice.
The possible benefits of cherry juice include fewer gout symptoms improved vision and a stronger immune system. Strawberry juice can replace other sweet carbohydrates in the persons diet that do not provide benefits in the prevention of gout attacks such as donuts and candy. Once your cholesterol level is under control your heart can be in good condition.
While everyone responds to elderberry differently some people are quite sensitive to the laxative properties of elderberry and report that a tablespoon of. Many people suffering from rheumatic condition appreciate elderberry because it supposedly reduces pain. Some people are so heavily affected by these.
They could help tame inflammation lessen stress and help protect your heart. The elderberry is a native North American. These shout NOT be eaten raw since their seeds contain cyanide.
The person needs to drink strawberry juice on a daily basis.
Is Elderberry Good For Gout Your Gout Friend
Also Check: Signs And Symptoms Of Gout In Big Toe
May Act As A Diuretic
Elderberry may act as a diuretic, which means it may increase fluid loss through increased urine output. It’s crucial to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Talk to your doctor before taking Sambucol if you have a medical condition that increases your risk of dehydration. Use caution if you are currently prescribed a diuretic medication such as hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide, furosemide, amiloride or metolazone. Taking Sambucol in addition to diuretic medications may increase your risk of dehydration.
Eating To Prevent Gout
Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by an excess of uric acid. This is a waste product made by the body. It builds up in the body and forms crystals that collect in the joints, causing a gout attack. Alcohol and certain foods can trigger a gout attack. Below are some guidelines for changing your diet to help you manage gout. Your healthcare provider can work with you to determine the best eating plan for you. You can learn which foods affect your gout more than others. Reactions to different foods can vary from person to person. Know that diet is only one part of managing gout. Take your medicines as prescribed and follow the other guidelines your healthcare provider has given you.
You May Like: Top Foods To Avoid With Gout
Citations For Elderberry Benefits
How To Include Berries In Diet
Berries could be included in different forms in the diet.
In fact, a number of tasty preparations and recipes could be tried to add the benefits of berries as a natural remedy for gout. Some of these methods have been listed below:
- Berries could be consumed raw when in the season.
- Many berries are found in the form of juice. Fresh berry juice can thus be used to enjoy the same health benefits.
- Some of the berry extracts like bilberry are available in the form of health supplements.
- Fresh berry jams or fruit wines are also available in some places.
- Berries could also be consumed as smoothies to avail their health benefits.
- Berries can also be frozen at home to be consumed later. It is of importance as berries are seasonal fruits and thus cannot be available all year round. In such cases, freezing them could be the best way to maintain their regular supply to treat your symptoms of gout!
Recommended Reading: Is Salsa Bad For Gout
Berries Help In Weight Loss
As gout is more common in obese persons, weight loss is recommended for preventing recurrent gout attacks.
Berries consist of resveratrol and anthocyanins which not only help in treating gout symptoms but also are beneficial for weight loss.
Both these compounds assist in regulating energy metabolism and fat storage, thus preventing the occurrence of obesity and related disorders.
Resveratrol can help in decreasing the number of fat cells and prevent weight gain in menopausal women, who are at a higher risk of developing gout.
It reduces the body fat by aiding in the metabolism of lipids and fatty acids in the body.
In a study conducted on 161 persons, resveratrol, along with another compound called orlistat helped in decreasing body weight by reducing the BMI, waist circumference, and body fats and lipids.
What does this mean? People with gout can also lose weight by consuming berries.
Nutrition Facts About Elderberry
Elderberry is poisonous when consumed raw, Knoblock-Hahn points out. That means you’re going to be consuming elderberry as a syrup, juice, jam/jelly, or lozenge. The nutrition facts will vary widely depending on the product. Here’s a look at what’s in one tablespoon of 100 percent elderberry juice:
- Calories: 10
- Calcium: 5 mg
- Iron: 0.2 mg
- Vitamin C: 5 mg
Don’t Miss: Gin And Tonic For Gout
Elderberry Gout And Uric Acid
I tried to turn the discussion towards uric acid, but failed. I can see that my efforts were too vague. So I plan to improve the facts pages with better reviews of appropriate studies. In fact, Ill split that into two projects:
Elderberry Benefits: Elderflowers For The Skin
While elderflowers are most commonly used for fevers, they also offer many benefits for the skin. One mechanism of this action could be elderflowers effects on the periphery of the body. Because a warm tea of elderflowers promotes diaphoresis, or sweating, this action moves stagnancy and can be a gentle form of natural detoxification for the skin. Elderflowers historically were often used as external preparations as a tea wash or infused in oil for a cream or salve. Elderflower washes or lotions are perfect for red and inflamed skin conditions, such as irritated rashes, sunburn, and rosacea. Elderflower water used to be a very common beauty regimen.
Recent in vitro research has shown that elderflower preparations used topically have the potential for broad spectrum UV protection.2
Elder flowers are diaphoretic and sudorific in proportion to the quantity administered, but find their principal employment in external applications, as for fomentations and poultices to swellings, and in the earlier stages of gatherings, boils, and abscesses, to discuss any collection of lymph an ointment, also, is prepared from them, which is suitable in those cases where a cooling and emollient application is desired, as for cracks and chaps in the hands, lips, nipples of the breasts, and for similar purposes.– John G. Hatfield, Botanic Pharmacopoeia, 1886
Don’t Miss: Is Popcorn Good For Gout
May Improve Cold And Flu Symptoms
Black elderberry extracts and flower infusions have been shown to help reduce the severity and length of influenza .
Commercial preparations of elderberry for the treatment of colds come in various forms, including liquids, capsules, lozenges, and gummies.
One 2004 study of 60 people with influenza found that those who took 15 mL of elderberry syrup four times per day showed symptom improvement in 2 to 4 days, while the control group took 7 to 8 days to improve .
Furthermore, a study of 312 air travelers taking capsules containing 300 mg of elderberry extract three times per day found that those who got sick experienced a shorter duration of illness and less severe symptoms .
Further large-scale studies are required to confirm these results and determine if elderberry may also play a role in preventing influenza .
Note that most research has only been performed on commercial products. Thereâs little information about the safety or efficacy of homemade remedies .
Summary
Elderberry extract has been found to help reduce the length and severity of symptoms caused by the influenza virus. While these results are promising, further large-scale human studies are needed.
Berries As Natures Remedy For Gout
Berries are bright coloured and juicy fruits which can be either sweet or sour in taste and do not have a stone or a pit.
They are seasonal fruits and are extremely rich in nutrients.
Owing to this they are considered to be a home remedy for a number of different diseases.
Most of the berries are considered to be useful for the patients with gout owing to the high content of antioxidants and vitamin C., in fact, Blackberry was also known as gout berry owing to its use as a treatment for gout in ancient Greek culture.
The flavonoid profile of berries is similar to that of cherries which is well-known for its gout preventing properties.
Thus consumption of berries lowers the level of uric acid in the body of the patient thus alleviating the disease symptoms and improving the general health of the patient.
Berries contain several active components like resveratrol and anthocyanins which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help in the treatment of gout.
These compounds are found in a variety of berries including blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, mulberries, and gooseberries to name a few.
Also Check: How To Stop Gout From Recurring
My Top 7 Berries For Natural Gout Relief
My top 7 berries for gout in terms of their anthocyanins, quercetin and vitamin c content, along with their ease of availability are:
- black / red currants
Stick to these and you cant go wrong.
Of these, cherries are probably the most studied in terms of their suitability as a gout home remedy. Several studies have shown that they can both relieve inflammation and reduce blood uric acid levels. So not only are they great during a gout flare-up they are also effective in helping to prevent future attacks by first lowering, then maintaining, healthy uric acid levels.
Note: Although cranberries are high in quercetin and vitamin c, on balance, Id advise against taking these if you have gout. Cranberries appear, in studies, to lower urine pH which is bad for gout since it can result in less uric acid being excreted, resulting in higher uric acid levels in the blood.
So there you have it a daily serving of fresh berries isnt only very beneficial for overall health, they also make for a very effective natural home remedy for gout.
Elderberry Benefits: Elder Berries For Colds And The Influenza
Elderberries are renowned for their ability to prevent upper respiratory infections, as well as to shorten the duration of a cold or influenza. Using elderberries this way has stood the test of time, as many historical books record this use and modern day herbalists continue this tradition. Read my article about using elderberry for colds here.
Starting in the 1990s, this popular folkloric use caught the attention of Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu. She began human clinical trials testing this use with astounding results. In one placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 93.3% of those taking the elderberry preparation saw a significant improvement in symptoms within two days as compared to those taking the placebo, who didnt see improvement until six days.5
Since then a handful of studies have affirmed the benefits of elderberries against cold and influenza symptoms. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Norway, researchers gave 60 patients with influenza-like symptoms of less than 48 hours either 15 mL of elderberry four times a day or a placebo syrup. On average, those receiving the elderberry syrup reported that their symptoms were relieved four days earlier than those taking the placebo. As an additional benefit, those taking the elderberry syrup reported using significantly less over-the-counter medication to relieve their symptoms.6
How does it work?
You May Like: Is Carrot Juice Good For Gout
Elderberry Benefits: Harvesting Elder Berries And Elder Flowers
Elder flowers can be harvested anytime they are in their prime. All the flowers should be a creamy white color some may be just about to open while others in the umbel are fully opened.
Whenever I harvest elder flowers I also seem to take home a large number of small bugs. In order to encourage these bugs to find a new home, I place the freshly harvested corymbs in an open box or basket and leave them outside for a couple of hours. By the time I am ready to process the flowers into food or medicine, the bugs have flown off.
Keep in mind that every flower bunch that you harvest means that many fewer berries in the fall! Because the flowers are the reproductive organs of the plant, the berries follow after the flowers are pollinated.
Unripe berries can be harvested and made into a caper-like preparation.
The ripe berries can be harvested whenever they have turned a deep blue, purple, or black color . If you live in an area with early frosts, you could wait until the first frost to enjoy slightly sweeter berries. I harvest the berries anywhere from mid-August to mid-September. If I waited any longer the birds would be off with all of them!
Speaking of the birds, when I harvest the berries, I harvest only what I can naturally reach. This leaves many more bunches of berries for the birds and other animals to feast upon.
Both the flowers and berries can be used fresh or dried for later use.