Maintaining a healthy gut directly impacts your immune health — elderberries may be the boost your body is craving!

Elderberries are incredibly powerful — they’re bursting with vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and antioxidants. It’s no wonder they can build not only your immune health but also your gut health!

What Is Gut Health?

Let’s dive into what exactly gut health is to begin.

When you hear the term gut health, you might immediately think of digestion. But that’s not always the case. Yes, your digestive system is a part of your gut, but it’s not the entire picture. 

Your gut health affects your overall health and well-being, from the hair on your head to the circulation in your toes.

Numerous studies have shown that your gut microbiome is linked to your immune and mental health. Wow!

That means stress, anxiety, and panic attacks can all be rooted in an unhealthy gut. 

So what does our gut actually do?

In simple terms, your gut breaks down the food & drinks you consume so the nutrients and vitamins can enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body. This supplies your body with energy and helps it function as it should.

How does it break down the food?

With a balanced gut microbiome.

You need a very delicate balance of good and bad bacteria for everything to run as it should. You also need your gut wall to be tight and intact. This happens when you avoid processed and sugary foods and choose to eat gut-healthy foods instead.

So what happens when your gut is struggling because it’s out of balance?

The breakdown process takes a hit — your body no longer receives what it needs, when it needs it, or the right amount. This increases inflammation throughout your body, leading to various health issues.

What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

A leaky gut is when the lining inside your gut is damaged. Typically holes and tears will form and allow substances meant to stay in your gut to leak into your body, creating inflammation. 

In fact, most diseases and illnesses today can be linked directly to leaky gut syndrome. 

Hippocrates, the same man who said, “Elderberries are my medicine chest,” also said, “all disease begins in the gut.”

Evidence now suggests that he was definitely on to something all those years ago. 

Some Symptoms of Leaky Gut:

• Gastric ulcers
• Joint pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome 
• Crohn’s disease 
• Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Celiac disease
• Allergies
• Respiratory infections
• Arthritis
• Eczema & skin issues
• Thyroid disorders
• Heart Disease
• Type 1 & 2 diabetes
• Lupus
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Autoimmune conditions
• Parkinson’s disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Anxiety & depression
• Panic attacks
• Food sensitivities 
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Mood problems

It’s important to note that your gut may not directly lead to these issues — it’s more about how people who have chronic gut issues are more likely to struggle with these health issues.

The good news: You can take steps today to start improving your gut health, which in turn can improve your overall health and immune system quicker than you can even imagine.

Worst Foods for Your Gut 

Certain foods are horrible for your gut health, tearing down the lining and triggering inflammation.

If you’re trying to rebuild your gut health, stay away from these foods:

• Fried foods: french fries, fried chicken, hushpuppies, tater tots
• Seed oils: canola, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, safflower, sunflower, soy
• Sugar: donuts, granola bars, cereals, muffins, even pasta sauce
• Processed foods: microwavable meals, ready meals, chips, pastries, fruit snacks
• Gluten: breads, pasta noodles, soups
• Dairy: cows milk, processed, with added hormones

Nutrition is powerful and these types of foods impact your health negatively.

There’s no way around it. Ask yourself, “Is what I’m about to eat going to hurt or nourish me?” If you aren’t sure, it’s probably not the best choice.

Best Foods for Your Gut 

Food is medicine — it has the power to heal, nourish, and restore.

It’s incredible how many health issues actually disappear when someone decides to cut the junk and eat healthy day in and day out.

It’s a lifestyle. Not a diet. 

When you push through the withdrawals (yes, from sugar and additives), your palate actually changes. You’ll find yourself turning your nose up at that donut and choosing a smoothie or a plate of fluffy eggs without missing a beat.

Here are the best foods for a healthy gut:

• Fermented foods: kimchi, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, kefir and kombucha
• Leafy greens: kale, bok choy, romaine, spinach, broccoli sprouts, arugula
• Berries: elderberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, mulberries
• Veggies: onion, garlic, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower
• Teas: green, black and herbal

TOP HEALING TIPS: 

Choose organic. Pesticides and herbicides are one of the bad guys when it comes to an unhealthy gut, inflammation and sickness. When choosing organic, you’re skipping all those harmful toxic chemicals.

Avoid cold foods. If you’re already experiencing gut and digestive problems, warm foods and drinks are the way to go. Warm foods and drinks are soothing and restorative. Choose hot teas and cooked warm veggies. Eventually, you can go back to cold foods, but if your body is in severe distress, this is a tip to get that healing process going faster

How to Improve Gut Health Naturally

There are several ways you can improve your gut health naturally. The two main goals here should be to: 

1. Restore your gut lining.  
2. Support your gut flora.

Here’s how to do that.

Eat Healthy Foods

Take this seriously! Nutrition is powerful.

Cut Inflammatory Foods

Avoid cow's milk, gluten, sugar and processed foods.

Exercise Daily

The key is to get moving (even if it’s just an evening walk).

Manage Stress

Find a healthy way to manage your stress, like prayers, essential oils and gratitude journaling. 

How Elderberry Affects Gut & Immune Health

Elderberry is a medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years. It’s been used to treat infection, cough, cold, congestion, skin irritation, and even gut health.

Flavonoids are abundant in plants, especially in elderberries. Did you know that a higher intake of these gorgeous gems is associated with good cardiovascular health, glucose control, and even cognitive health?

It’s no wonder elderberries can also affect your gut health!

When you consume elderberries, your large intestine breaks down the flavonoids and modifies the structure so that they have the ability to slow down bad bacteria in your gut.

A little elderberry army in your intestines fights off those bad guys that cause inflammation and severe health issues. That’s incredible!

Ways to Take Elderberry 

Here are three ways we suggest to get your elderberry intake.

Organic Elderberry Syrup: made with just seven simple and organic ingredients designed to empower your whole-body health.

Elderberry Gummies: a powerful punch of antioxidants, vitamin C & Zinc and great for on-the-go.

Soothing Elderberry Tea: warming blend of elderberries, hibiscus, ginger, cinnamon and a hint of lemon.

Of course there are many other ways to get your intake of Elderberry. Like baking with it! We have some delicious recipes on our recipe blog here. 

Whichever you prefer, we’re sure you and your family are going to love it.

Final Thoughts on Gut Health

Gut health is complex, but one thing has been proven: your gut microbiome affects whole-body health. 

A healthy gut means:

• A strong immune system
• A healthy heart
• A healthy brain
• Healthy sleeping
• Improved mood
• Potential to prevent disease and sickness

There’s no better time to start taking your health seriously.

💜 Start with this simple step: a daily dose of elderberry syrup. It gives your gut the boost it needs to get healthy and stay healthy, no matter what!