Is this elderberry study legit or just hype?
Hey everyone, I just came across this study on elderberry and immune support (PMID: 34567890). It's saying that elderberry extract significantly reduces cold duration and severity. Sounds almost too good to be true. I'm a caffeine addict but also into nootropics, and I'm always skeptical about these supplement claims. Do you guys think this is legit or just another marketing ploy?
Noah, I feel you. Most of these studies are funded by the supplement companies themselves, so I always take them with a grain of salt. But elderberry has been used for centuries, so there might be something to it. I've tried it myself, honestly can't say if it works or not, but I don't get sick as often? Placebo effect maybe. But for the price, might as well just take vitamin C.
I actually read that study too! It was a randomized controlled trial, which is the gold standard, I think. But the sample size was small (like 100 people), and the funding came from an elderberry extract company. So there's definitely bias potential. Still, I take elderberry gummies during winter and I swear I haven't had a cold in two years. Even if it's placebo, I'm happy lol.
Ha, I'm a digital nomad, I can't afford to get sick because I'm always traveling. So I've been on the elderberry train for a while. But I usually get the gummies from a brand that posts third-party lab results on their site. That gives me some trust. Also, I saw a meta-analysis that showed some benefit but not huge. So it's not a miracle, but it might help a bit. Just don't expect to never get sick again.
Thanks for the input, guys. I'll probably give it a try, but I'll do some more research. Seems like it's not completely bogus, but I'll keep my expectations in check. Maybe I'll start with a small bottle. Appreciate the thoughts!