From breakfast to dessert, there’s always a ‘go-to’ berry bursting with antioxidants tempting your palate and supporting your health.

• Dried Goji berries mixed with rice or a trail mix will give your body more beta-carotene than carrots while nourishing your liver;
• Adding Blueberries to your winter porridge or summer smoothie delivers a healthy dose of resveratrol to help protect your eyes;
• While Blackberry jam on your toast provides vitamins C and E plus heart friendly soluble fibre.

And the darker the berry, the better its health benefits, especially for fighting colds and flu.

When it comes to flu season, the Elderberry is perhaps the greatest berry of them all

Hailing from the honeysuckle family, the Elderberry tree is the legendary ‘medicine chest’ of the great healer Hippocrates. I In fact, Elderberry medicine recipes date back to Ancient Egypt and Greece and millennia later, the tiny fruit, which turns black when ripe, is still a revered source of flavonoids – rich in vitamins A, B6 and infection-fighting C. It also boasts powerful punches of potassium, iron, fibre and beta-carotene.

In Australia, the flu causes over 18,000 hospitalisations and 300,000 GP visits every year

However, there’s a tiny natural warrior fighting this ongoing winter nemesis. Global studies reveal that Elderberry extract is effective in shortening the duration of colds and flus, and it also has a more potent antiviral effect than one of the most popular natural cold and flu fighters, echinacea.

3 great reasons to consider trying Elderberries this flu season

1. They’re packed with antioxidants that your immune system loves Elderberries are one of the richest sources anthocyanins – potent antioxidants that support immune function by helping produce immune cells targeting inflammation and infection. In addition, the Elderberry helps to prevent the replication of the viruses, which are responsible for colds and flus.
2. Your body will crave them as a flu buster As a natural remedy to reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu, antiviral Elderberries are the trick. The flu can have a debilitating effect on the entire body and can often leave you bed bound. Elderberries can help to reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu symptoms such as aches, pains and fever.
3. This small and humble berry is very child friendly The good news is that Elderberries are suitable for kids too. Children can be vulnerable and much more likely to contract the flu than adults. As the flu is highly contagious, it can be easily spread from coughing and sneezing. The Elderberry is a good choice as both a preventative measure, and to speed up the recovery of your little ones.
4. You can also get the benefits of Elderberries as a supplement

Ripe, cooked Elderberries make for delicious jams, pies and syrup to add to drinks and desserts; however, raw, unripe berries contain cyanide, so it’s best to source from a trusted supplier and only consume as recommended. Therefore, an Elderberry supplement may be a better choice in some instances. To give this super berry a chance to support your health, try an Elderberry extract under guidance from your healthcare practitioner,

Mr Vitamins recommends

Elderberry from Eagle

Eagle’s Elderberry Viral Protect that combines the mighty Elderberry with zinc and vitamin C – two other important antioxidants for immune system support. Eagle is a Practitioner only brand so please 'ask a Naturopath' to help you   Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare practitioner. Vitamin and mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet. ‘Ask a Naturopath’ for more information about boosting your immunity for winter http://www.healthylivingmagazine.us/Articles/5113/ http://www.blackElderberry.info http://foodfacts.mercola.com/elderberries.html, http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/Elderberry-nutrition-facts http://www.flusmart.org.au/articles/flu-facts/ http://www.blackElderberry.info/clinical-summary/ http://www.blackElderberry.info/black-Elderberry-facts/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2950382/, http://www.blackElderberry.info/understanding-flavonoids/ http://www.flusmart.org.au/articles/flu-facts/