Elderberry is touted as a natural cure for colds does it really work?

As Americans sniffle and sneeze through the cold and flu season, demand for elderberry has never been higher.These dark purple berries, packed with antioxidants and vitamins, have been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat everything from fever and infections to dental pain and sciatica.In medieval Europe, people even thought they could help you live longer.Today, elderberry is touted as a miracle cold and flu remedy, with wellness influencers claiming it can shorten symptoms and speed up recovery.

But before you race to the store, here’s the catch: the science behind its healing powers is shaky at best.“The few studies that exist are often industry-supported,” Thomas Russo, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, told Verywell Health.“People are spending a lot of money on an unproven supplement.”Last year alone, consumers spent a whopping $175 million on elderberry syrups, teas, capsules, and powders, according to an analysis by the Nutrition Business Journal, as first reported by The Washington Post. One industry-funded study found that international travelers who took elderberry supplements before, during, and after long-haul flights recovered faster and experienced fewer cold symptoms than those who did not. Another 2020 review of five studies concluded that elderberry could reduce the duration and severity of symptoms like fever, headache, runny nose, and congestion if taken within 48 hours of feeling sick. But it’s not all good news.

Several other studies have found “no evidence” that elderberry shortens the duration or severity of flu-like symptoms in children or adults.That said, experts agree elderberries may still offer some health perks, even if the science isn’t ironclad.“It’s very high in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants like phenolic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins,” Angel Planells, a registered dietitian nutritionist, told Real Simple. Vitamin C boosts the immune system,...