You hear
about antioxidant this and antioxidant that. You know antioxidants are good.
But why are they good and how do they work? Relative to antioxidants, you hear
a lot about free radicals. Here’s why:
Antioxidants
are natural substances that may slow or even prevent damage to the body’s
cells. Our bodies contain natural antioxidants in the form of vitamins,
minerals and hormones. Our immune system uses these natural antioxidants to
fight “threats” such as pollutants, toxins, radiation and UV light. Importantly,
antioxidants fight and work to reverse the damage caused by free radicals that
wreak havoc in our bodies and are the leading cause of premature aging.1
Free
radicals are bad cells that are unstable and reactive. They enter our bodies as
we breathe in polluted air and cigarette smoke; they creep in from unclean
water; they’re generated when we’re under prolonged stress or suffering from
illness; they even come in the form of unhealthy diets. Every metabolic
reaction that involves oxygen has the potential to generate free radicals and
if nothing is done, inflammation and arterial wall damage are the end results.2
Even
though our bodies contain natural antioxidants, we obviously need more support
to maintain Active Wellness in our increasingly polluted world. That's where
the elderberry can play a starring role.
The
elderberry is generally traced back to Hippocrates, the Greek known as the
“father of medicine.” He described it as his “medicine chest” for its wide
variety of health benefits. Over the centuries, elderberry has been used to
treat colds, flu, fever, burns, cuts and more than 70 other maladies. 3
In the
year 2007, the US Department of Agriculture looked at the oxygen radical
absorbance capacity (ORAC) or overall antioxidant capability of various berries.
That is, which berries were the most effective at attacking damaging free
radicals? Elderberry had higher ORAC values than blackberry, blueberry,
cranberry, raspberry and strawberry, which also are relatively high in
antioxidants.4
With
such a high ORAC, it’s no wonder that elderberries are known as excellent
immune system boosters. Your local drugstore in the US, Canada and Europe are
likely to have an array of elderberry syrups or tablets. Numerous studies have
demonstrated that elderberry extract is highly effective in mitigating flu-like
symptoms and shortening the duration of colds.5
Research
published in the Journal of Nutrition
show that elderberry extract helps
expedite the process of clearing excess sugar from the bloodstream and into
muscles and the liver, thereby helping to maintain normal levels of blood
sugar.6 Studies also show that Sambucu
s (the scientific name
for elderberry) has natural diuretic and laxative effects, which helps the body
decrease fluid retention and constipation.7
Kenzen
Super Ciaga®
contains a mighty medley of berries with the
powerful maqui berry having the highest ORAC value at 27,600 per 100g serving
of fresh fruit. Elderberry, which is an excellent source of vitamins A, B and
C, provides substantial support with an ORAC value of 14,500 per 100g serving
of fresh fruit. Blueberry, blackberry and raspberry add to the overall ORAC
value as well as enhancing flavor with their natural sweetness. Kenzen
Super Ciaga®
is a delicious way to ingest some powerful antioxidants!
In the
next three months, the Wellness
Working Facebook page
will be posting 10 winning Kenzen Super Ciaga®
recipes. Check it out and why not do a little experimentation of your own— Kenzen
Super Ciaga®
tastes like a treat and acts like bodyguard!
1, 2 http://www.blackelderberry.info/understanding-antioxidants/
3 http://www.blackelderberry.info/elderberry-history/
4 http://www.blackelderberry.info/sources-of-antioxidants-and-orac/
5, 6, 7 https://draxe.com/elderberry/
