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This might make me sound like I’m a ten-year-old kid, but one of my favorite discoveries of the past few years has been elderberry supplements.
And I don’t mean big and bulky tablets.
I’m talking about small and tasty elderberry gummies that seem to have given me an immune system boost that helped me get through two cold and flu seasons without a sniffle.
Now, before you just pick the first gummies you find, or start using elderberry syrup, keep in mind that there is a specific type of extract you need to get.
As an expert athlete, I joined for 30 days with a nutritionist and made intensive research to help us find the best elderberry supplements.
Our Top Elderberry Supplements (September 2023)
1 - Viva Naturals Elderberry Vitamin C + Zinc (Editor's Choice)
If you tend to get every cold and sniffle going, then you may want to consider a stronger dose of black elderberry extract.
Viva Naturals have filled that need, and they have also added some vitamin D, which is something you could quickly become deficient in during the dark winter months.
Aside from elderberry, this supplement also contains ginger and a diverse mix of immune-supporting ingredients such as zinc and vitamin C.
While not technically a gummy, we couldn't let this one from Viva Naturals pass. It's in capsule form, but it's as easy to take as a gummy anyway.
- Dosage : 1,000 mg
- One of the stronger options available
- Contains some added vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc
- Available in a larger bottle for a 2-month supply
- Positive reports on helping with allergic reactions and boosting immunity
- Due to the higher dose, some stomach reaction may be possible
- Not certified organic
2 - Nature's Truth Sambucus Black Elderberry
This is another good option for anyone looking for maximum immune support. If you’ve had a regular or long-lasting cold, then this could be a good choice.
We also like that it doesn’t have any added sugar, which often makes these elderberry supplements a bit less healthy.
It is also free of milk, lactose, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, and preservatives, so you won't have to worry about ingesting unnecessary ingredients.
- Dosage : 2,000 mg
- May suit people who suffer more often from colds
- Non-GMO and gluten-free
- Doesn’t have any added sugar
- Comes in a large bulk order bottle
- Capsules don’t make it easy to reduce the dosage
3 - Garden of Life Elderberry Immune Gummy
This is the only one of all the elderberry supplements we tested that combines the extract and juice, which might explain why they seem to be the most natural tasting gummies (since it's also naturally sweetened with fruits).
Aside from being certified organic and gluten-free, it contains extracts from different plants like aronia berry, guava, and rosemary that are proven to help boost the immune system.
It’s also a good option for any of our vegan readers, as it only uses plant-based ingredients.
- Dosage : 355 mg
- Claims to combine elderberry extract and juice as well as other plant extracts
- Seems to have a tasty flavor liked by kids
- Suitable for vegans with only plant-based ingredients
- Certified organic, gluten-free, and free from refined sugars
- It’s a bit high in fruit sugars
4 - Horbaach Sambucus Black Elderberry Capsules
Here’s another good option for anyone looking for maximum strength products to help with detox and preparation for the cold season.
This particular supplement claims to support antioxidant health and immune function.
You should notice good results within a few weeks. And with an allergen-free and non-GMO formula, there shouldn't be any risks of side effects.
- Dosage : 2,000 mg
- Capsule option for those looking for a high dose
- Seems to be fast-absorbing
- Free from allergens, GMO, and artificial flavors and sweeteners
- Capsules might not work well for kids
5 - BioSchwartz Sambucus Elderberry
What we liked about this BioSchwartz product is that every batch is tested for purity and quality. This should ensure that you receive consistent benefits.
Some of these benefits include bright skin and healthy immune system which will keep you from going to the doctor for a great deal of time.
Online reviews also highlight that it may be one of the better options for its antioxidant properties.
- Dosage : 500 mg
- Seems to be a powerful vitamin C option for detox
- Free from common allergens and artificial sweeteners
- Independently tested for purity
- Uses veggie capsules
- It’s not the strongest zinc option
6 - BeLive Elderberry + Vitamin C
This is one of the elderberry supplements that has added herbal ingredients that may provide some added immune support.
It has a ton of other immune-supporting ingredients in the mix which could supplement your diet.
With 200 mg of elderberry fruit extract per serving, this supplement is suited for both kids and adults. Some online reviews say that it tastes great so much that their kids sometimes take it as dessert (why not?).
We also noted that it’s not as sweet as most of the other options, which means you may notice more of the natural berry flavors.
- Dosage : 200 mg
- Claims to contain extra Echinacea, Propolis, and vitamin C
- Contains a significant amount of vitamins and minerals
- Seems to be low in sugar content
- The flavor doesn’t seem to be too sweet
- It seems to be missing some zinc
7 - Zhou Nutrition Elder-Mune Gummies
These black elderberry extract gummies have an added boost of zinc and vitamin C, which should help your body to better remove free radicals.
It's equally great for kids and adults at 125 mg of elderberry extract per serving. Most users appeal to its natural and pleasant flavor that almost tastes like a candy.
Online reviews also seem to suggest that it’s a favored option for elderly people who like to take it in preparation of the regular cold season.
- Dosage : 125 mg
- Should work well for detox with a strong dose of vitamin C
- Seems to be popular with elderly people during cold and flu season
- Has a nice flavor that kids may like as well
- Might be a bit sweet for some people
- A bottle is only good for a month's supply
8 - Nature's Bounty Elderberry Gummies
This one stood out for us as it may provide you and your kids some additional benefits from vitamins A, C, D, and E.
It can also supplement your diet with added minerals like phosphorus and zinc to give an overall immune protection.
We also found that it seemed to be one of the more popular options for kids. And this makes sense because of its great taste and chewy texture.
Aside from the added nutrients and well-rounded taste, a smaller dose of 100 mg of elderberry per serving makes it perfect for kids and teens.
- Dosage : 100 mg
- Contains some added vitamin A, D, and E
- Claims to avoid most of the common allergens
- The gelatin-free gummies are soft and easy to chew
- We’d like to see a higher dose of zinc
9 - Havasu Nutrition Premium Elderberry Gummies
What we liked most about this elderberry supplement is the authentic berry flavor, which isn’t too overpowering.
This product also has a version for kids which has less amounts of vitamins, minerals, and elderberry extract.
It also has a good dose of elderberry fruit extract with many positive comments that it seems to provide an immune boost within just a few weeks of taking it.
- Dosage : 100 mg
- Claims to have been designed for higher bioavailability
- Doesn’t use gelatin or fructose corn syrup
- Seems to have a very natural flavor
- We’d prefer them with no added sugar
10 - Nature's Way Sambucus Elderberry Gummies
Our last recommendation for the best elderberry supplements is this Nature’s Way elderberry gummies. It claims to provide the best immune support, thanks to a unique process to create the extract.
Apparently, this process keeps more of the micronutrients undamaged for easier absorption.
They also taste great, which should help to convince kids to take them. But some online reviews mention that the gummies are quite hard to chew.
- Dosage : 50 mg
- Claims to use a unique process for the black elderberry extract
- Animal gelatin and gluten-free option
- Taste is great, which should help for kids
- Contains a small amount of added sugar
Buyer’s Guide - How to Pick the Best Elderberry Supplements?
There are tons of brands of elderberry supplements in the market but not all are created equal. Here are some pointers for picking the best one.
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1 - Always Check The Source
Many people don’t consider the source and processing of the elderberries in their supplements [1]. But some research suggests that purity may have a significant impact on the benefits.
The cheaper products often use high temperatures to purify the extract but those processes may also break down the micronutrients.
The result would be a supplement that might not work as well.
It's best to choose a USDA organic elderberry supplement to ensure that you're getting the most from high-quality ingredients.
And since we're talking about elderberry supplements, make sure that the top ingredient is actually elderberry which may be in the form of black elderberry extract, elderberry juice, or elderberry syrup.
In terms of dosage, there has been no guidelines establishing how much elderberry you should be taking every day to provide a sufficient immune support. Just follow the recommended dosage on your chosen supplement and it will be pretty much risk-free.
But like any other supplements, it's always a good idea to consult with your doctor before adding any product to your supplement stack.
2 - Other Ingredients
The main benefits of elderberry extract are the boost in zinc and vitamin C, which may provide some immune support.
But we also like to see products that add a few more vitamins, especially D and E [2]. These could all add to your defenses by removing more toxins and helping with faster immune responses.
“Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight and is often lauded for its health benefits. Researchers found it also affects key cells of the immune system.”
- sciencedaily.com
If robust immunity is your main focus, targeting vitamin D by itself could provide some added benefits. See our recommended vitamin D supplements.
You should also consider the amounts of added sugars, artificial flavors and sweeteners, and fillers, which can slow down your progress in having a stronger and healthier immune system.
FAQs
What Are the Benefits of Elderberry?
The benefits of elderberry are less cold and flu symptoms, healthier skin, reduced swelling and inflammation, and a boosted immunity to prevent future illness.
There are based on the fact that it contains lots of natural antioxidants which can help boost immunity by reducing swelling and inflammation and preventing infections like colds and flu. It also has added nutrients like dietary fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.
How Much Elderberry Should I Take per Day?
There are no established guidelines on how much elderberry you should take per day. It's important to check the label of your chosen elderberry supplement and follow the instructions indicated.
Make sure that it's also appropriate for your age since some elderberry supplements can contain as high as 2,000 mg or as low as 100 mg per serving.
Do Elderberry Supplements Have Side Effects?
No, elderberry supplements don't have side effects. They are generally considered safe to use. However, taking any supplement that uses raw elderberry fruit or leaves is not advisable as they contain a harmful substance that produces cyanide.
People with a specific or related allergy to elder pollen should also avoid these supplements. It's best to check with your doctor before taking elderberry supplements and similar ones.
Our #1 Recommended Elderberry Supplement
It took a fair bit of taste testing and debating with adults and kids to get to a final conclusion for our list of best elderberry supplements.
But the majority of us all agreed that Viva Naturals just seems to have produced the right balance of health benefits with a tasty flavor and texture.
Order yours today to be prepared for the sniffles that might be coming your way.
Our #1 Recommendation
Viva Naturals Elderberry Vitamin C + Zinc
- One of the stronger options available
- Contains some added vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc
- Available in a larger bottle for a 2-month supply
- Positive reports on helping with allergic reactions and boosting immunity
- Due to the higher dose, some stomach reaction may be possible
- Not certified organic
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