Are Hawthorn Berries Good For Lowering Cholestrol – Written by Ariane Lang, BSc, MBA and SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD — Medically reviewed by Kathy Warwick, R.D., CDE, Nutrition — Updated December 13, 2021
These nutrient-rich fruits have a sour, bitter taste and mild sweetness. Their color ranges from yellow to dark red (
Table of Contents
Are Hawthorn Berries Good For Lowering Cholestrol
For hundreds of years, people have used hawthorn berries as an herb for digestive problems, heart disease, and high blood pressure. In fact, the fruit has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine since at least 659 AD (
Best Chinese Herbs To Lower Cholesterol
Antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals, which when present in high levels can damage your body.
Free radicals can come from certain foods. They can also be elevated due to exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution and cigarette smoke.
Polyphenols have many health benefits due to their antioxidant activity, including the following risks (
Although early studies in animals and cells are promising, human studies are needed to evaluate the effects of hawthorn berries on disease risk.
Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry
Summary Hawthorn berries contain plant polyphenols with antioxidant properties associated with many health benefits.
Research shows that chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, asthma and some cancers.
In a study of mice with liver disease, hawthorn berry extract significantly reduced levels of inflammatory compounds and reduced liver inflammation and injury (
In one study, researchers gave vitexin, a compound found in hawthorn leaves, to mice with respiratory problems. This treatment reduced the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and reduced the inflammatory response of leukocytes (
Hawthorne Berry Superfood Smoothie
These promising results from animal and test-tube studies suggest additional anti-inflammatory benefits for humans. However, more research is needed.
Summary Hawthorn berry extract has shown anti-inflammatory potential in both test tube and animal studies. However, research on humans is needed.
In traditional Chinese medicine, hawthorn is one of the most recommended foods for treating high blood pressure (
Animal studies have shown that hawthorn can act as a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes constricted blood vessels and lowers blood pressure (
Hawthorn Berry Supplement
A 10-week study looked at the effects of hawthorn extract in 36 people with mild high blood pressure.
Researchers found that those who took 500 mg of the extract per day had lower diastolic blood pressure—the lowest reading of blood pressure (
In a 2006 study, researchers gave 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract to 79 people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure for 16 weeks. People who received the extract had better blood pressure than those in the placebo group (
However, more research is needed to support these findings. It is important to note that using the extract is not the same as eating the fruit.
Mg Sport Supplements Hawthorn Berries 525 Leaf Extract Reduce Blood Pressure 1b 053722767447 For Sale Online
In summary, some research suggests that hawthorn berries may help dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. However, further studies are needed.
Some studies show that hawthorn extract improves blood cholesterol levels due to its flavonoid and pectin content. Pectin is a type of fiber involved in cholesterol metabolism (
Imbalanced levels of cholesterol in the blood — especially high levels of triglycerides and HDL (good) cholesterol — play a role in atherosclerosis, or the formation of plaque in your arteries (
If plaque continues to build up, it can completely block a blood vessel, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Amazing Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berries
In one animal study, mice that received two doses of hawthorn extract had 28-47% lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as liver triglycerides, compared to mice that did not receive the extract.
Similarly, a 6-week study in rats found that when rats were fed a hawthorn berry supplement, their fasting triglyceride and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels were significantly reduced.
Finally, a 6-month study of 64 people with atherosclerosis found that taking hawthorn extract at a dose of 2.3 mg per pound of body weight (5 mg per kg) significantly reduced the thickness of harmful plaques in the carotid arteries.
Although this study is promising, more human studies are needed to evaluate the effects of hawthorn extract on blood cholesterol.
Hawthorn Berry, Leaf, & Flower
Summary Animal and human studies suggest that taking hawthorn extract may help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, more human studies are needed.
People have been using hawthorn berries and extracts for centuries to treat digestive problems, especially stomach and stomach ailments (
Fruits contain fiber, which has been shown to reduce constipation and aid digestion by acting as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are foods that nourish and promote healthy bacteria in the gut, which are essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system (
In one observational study of slow-digesting humans, each additional gram of dietary fiber people consumed was associated with a 30-minute reduction in the time between bowel movements (
Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berries
Additionally, a study in rats found that hawthorn extract dramatically reduced the transit time of food in the digestive system.
In addition, rodent studies show that compounds in hawthorn berries can increase the production and activity of digestive enzymes, particularly those needed to digest foods rich in fat and protein.
Summary Hawthorn has been used by humans for centuries as a digestive aid. It helps relieve constipation and increase the production of enzymes needed to digest foods rich in fat and protein.
Hawthorn berries help prevent premature aging of the skin due to collagen degradation caused by excessive sun or UV exposure.
Amazon.com: Heart Health
One test-tube study found that a mixture of hawthorn and ginseng extracts prevented the signs of aging by inhibiting the formation of wrinkles and increasing skin moisture (
Research suggests that this effect may be due to the antioxidant content of hawthorn berries. However, research in this area is limited and human studies are needed.
Conclusion Some studies suggest that hawthorn berries may help reduce the signs of aging due to their antioxidant content.
In an older study of 264 people with anxiety, a combination of hawthorn extract, magnesium, and California poppy flower significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to a placebo. However, it is unclear what role hawthorn played (
Hawthorn Medicine — Herbs & Hands
Hawthorn has fewer side effects than traditional anti-anxiety medications. This is one reason scientists continue to research treatments for central nervous system disorders such as anxiety and depression.
However, these studies used different types of hawthorn products, not necessarily the fruit itself. More research is needed.
If you want to try a hawthorn supplement for anxiety management, don’t stop taking your current medications and be sure to discuss it with your healthcare professional first to make sure it’s safe for you.
Summary Researchers are investigating hawthorn supplements as a possible treatment for anxiety. However, there is not much research on them for this purpose. More research is needed on the effects of hawthorn berries on anxiety.
With A Friend Like Hawthorn
Hawthorn berries are known for their traditional use in the treatment of heart disease along with other traditional medicines. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood properly.
Many studies suggest that hawthorn berries may have beneficial effects without severe adverse effects in people with heart failure (
Studies often show improvements in heart function and symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath and fatigue (
However, some evidence suggests that hawthorn may be harmful in some cases of heart failure. One study found that taking it along with conventional treatment may increase the risk of worsening heart failure (
Impressive Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry
Briefly in some traditional medicine, people often use hawthorn berries along with other traditional medicines for heart disease. However, it can be harmful when combined with conventional heart disease medications.
Hawthorn berries can be hard to find at your local grocery store. However, you can find it at farmers markets and specialty health food stores.
Hawthorn fruit supplements usually contain the fruit along with the leaves and flowers, but some contain only the leaves and flowers.
Different brands and forms of hawthorn supplements have different dosage recommendations. Typical doses are 250-500 mg three times a day. However, research has not determined the optimal effective dose (
How Healthy Is Hawthorn?
Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements like hawthorn somewhat more strictly than over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
Look for products that have received the seal of approval from independent organizations that evaluate the effectiveness and quality of supplements, such as the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), NSF International, or ConsumerLab.
Summary Hawthorn berries can be eaten in a variety of ways or taken as a supplement. However, appropriate doses are still undetermined and more research is needed.
Many side effects from taking hawthorn have not been reported. Those present range from mild to moderate.
Hawthorn For A Healthy Heart: The Beat Goes On!
People often experience sweating, headaches, drowsiness, palpitations, mild rashes, agitation, and gastrointestinal disturbances (
Although these are not life-threatening events, be sure to talk to a healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms.
Summary Side effects of consuming hawthorn berries are mild. They often affect sweating, headaches, drowsiness, palpitations, mild rashes, nervousness, and gastrointestinal problems.
The use of medicinal herbs as an alternative treatment for several diseases has increased