Elderberry supplementation found to reduce symptoms and severity of colds in air travelers

A study published in the journal Nutrients examined the effects of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) supplementation on the symptoms and severity of cold in air travelers, as well as their mental health. This study was conducted by researchers from Griffith University and the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

• In traditional medicine and in some observational and clinical studies, elderberries were used as supportive agents against the common cold and influenza.
• Researchers examined 312 economy class passengers traveling from Australia to an overseas destination. The participants consumed either elderberry extract or a placebo 10 days before their flight until five days after arriving at their destination.
• They noted in a daily diary their cold episodes, cold duration, and symptoms.
• They also three surveys containing questions regarding their upper respiratory symptoms and quality of life at the beginning of the study, just before travel, and four days after travel.
• The researchers found that participants who took a placebo had more cold episodes than those who consumed an elderberry extract.
• The placebo group had a significantly longer duration of cold episode days and more cold symptoms over these days than those in the elderberry group.
• However, the researchers did not find any changes in the mental health of the participants after elderberry intake.
• The intake of elderberry was also found to be safe as it did not cause any adverse effects.

Based on these results, the researchers concluded that elderberry supplementation could significantly reduce the duration and severity of cold among air travelers.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Read more studies about natural remedies for colds like elderberries at Remedies.news.

Journal Reference:

Tiralongo E, Wee S, Lea R. ELDERBERRY SUPPLEMENTATION REDUCES COLD DURATION AND SYMPTOMS IN AIR-TRAVELLERS: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL. Nutrients. 24 March 2016; 8(4): 182. DOI: 10.3390/nu8040182