(NaturalHealth365)  Think your metabolism is just about the genes you inherited?  New research suggests otherwise.

Scientists at Washington State University recently published findings in Nutrients that challenge this common belief.  Their study points to something interesting: elderberry juice might help rev up your metabolism.

While it might sound surprising, this dark purple juice does more than just taste good – it seems to boost your metabolism and could even help you maintain a healthy body weight.

The research behind the surprising benefits of elderberry juice

This wasn’t just any quick study – researchers at Washington State University conducted a carefully controlled, 5-week crossover trial to understand what elderberry juice could do.  The findings are particularly interesting because obesity affects over 70% of adults in the United States, and we’re always looking for natural ways to help.

Here’s how they did it: They gathered 18 adults with higher BMIs (over 25 kg/m²) who were otherwise healthy and had them drink either elderberry juice or a matching placebo for a week, took a break, and then switched drinks.  What makes this study solid is that they controlled participants’ diets (40% fat diet) for 4 days during each test period to ensure accurate comparisons.

Each participant drank about 12 ounces (177.5 grams) of elderberry juice daily, which delivered about 720 mg of beneficial compounds called cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents.

How elderberry juice improves your metabolism

The study revealed some fascinating changes in participants’ bodies.  At the most basic level, the juice shifted their gut bacteria, increasing helpful bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium while reducing less beneficial types.  This matters because gut bacteria are crucial in how the body processes nutrients.

Most notably, the elderberry juice improved how participants’ bodies handled sugar and fat.  When testing blood sugar levels after meals, researchers saw significant improvements in glucose control.  Participants’ insulin levels dropped by nearly 10%, suggesting their bodies were becoming more efficient at processing sugar.

Perhaps most impressively, the juice enhanced participants’ ability to burn fat – a process called fat oxidation after meals and during exercise.  The data showed a remarkable 27% increase in fat burning among those drinking elderberry juice.

Tips to implement elderberry juice into your daily meals

While elderberry juice, native to Europe, might not be available at your local store, you can likely find it at a nearby health food store.  You can also purchase it online.

Many enjoy elderberry juice “straight” in a glass or mixed with water, seltzer, or tonic.  It also works well blended into smoothies for a metabolic boost.

Sources for this article include:

MDPI.com
Medicalxpress.com