New Research Confirms Elderberry Is an Antioxidant Powerhouse

A recent study published in the International Journal of Food Science compared the antioxidant potential of 60 commercial fruit powders and grits. The researchers measured polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity across a wide range of fruits.

The results showed that black fruits had the highest overall antioxidant potential, with elderberry consistently ranking among the top performers. In fact, elderberry had the highest antioxidant activity in the study's ABTS and DPPH tests, outperforming blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, and several other popular fruits.

The study also highlighted an important difference in processing. One hot-air dried elderberry powder had significantly lower antioxidant levels than a freeze-dried sample. The researchers noted that freeze drying is more effective at preserving antioxidants than traditional hot-air drying.

The takeaway? If you're choosing elderberry products, the quality of the fruit—and how it's processed—matters. Freeze-dried elderberries help retain more of the naturally occurring compounds that make elderberries such a remarkable fruit.

Link to full article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42282872/