Do Hawthorn Berries Cause Liver Inflammation – Written by Ariane Lang, BSc, MBA and SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD — Clinical Review by Kathy W. Warwick, R.D., CDE, Nutrition — Updated December 13, 2021.
These nutrient-rich fruits are roasted, tangy, and mildly sweet. Their color ranges from yellow to dark red (
Table of Contents
Do Hawthorn Berries Cause Liver Inflammation
For centuries, people have used hawthorn as an herbal remedy for digestive problems, heart disease, and high blood pressure. In fact, this fruit has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine since at least 659 AD (
Hawthorn Berry Health Benefits And How To Use
Antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals, which can harm your body when they are present in high levels.
Free radicals are produced by certain foods. You may also have higher levels of them as a result of exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution and secondhand smoke (
Polyphenols are associated with many health benefits due to their antioxidant activity, including the following:
Although initial research in animals and cells is promising, more human studies are needed to evaluate hawthorn’s effects on disease risk.
Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry
Summary Hawthorn berries contain plant polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties and have many health benefits.
Research has shown that chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, asthma, and some cancers.
In a study in mice with liver disease, hawthorn extract significantly reduced levels of inflammatory compounds, leading to reduced inflammation and damage to the liver.
In one study, researchers gave vitexin, a substance found in hawthorn leaves, to mice with respiratory disease. The treatment reduced the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and reduced the response of white blood cells to inflammation.
Hawthorn: Heart Health & Antioxidant Activity
These promising results from animal and test-tube studies suggest that the supplement may have anti-inflammatory effects in humans. However, more research is needed.
Summary Hawthorn berry extract has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in test tube and animal studies. However, human studies are needed.
In traditional Chinese medicine, hawthorn is one of the most common foods used to treat high blood pressure.
Animal studies have shown that hawthorn acts as a vasodilator, which relaxes narrowed arteries and thus lowers blood pressure (
Pdf) Hawthorn Herbal Preparation From Crataegus Oxyacantha Attenuates In Vivo Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatic Fibrosis Via Modulating Oxidative Stress And Inflammation
A 10-week study looked at the effects of hawthorn extract in 36 people with mild hypertension.
Researchers found that people taking 500 mg of the extract daily had lower diastolic blood pressure.
In a 2006 study, researchers gave 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract daily for 16 weeks to 79 people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. People who took the extract improved their blood pressure more than the placebo group (
However, more research is needed to confirm these results. It is also important to note that consuming the extract is not the same as eating the fruit.
Why Should You Add Goji Berries To Your Daily Diet?
Summary Some studies show that hawthorn can lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. However, further research is needed.
Hawthorn extract contains flavonoids and pectin, and some studies have shown that it improves blood cholesterol levels. Pectin is a type of fiber involved in cholesterol metabolism.
Imbalanced levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially high triglycerides and low HDL (good) cholesterol, can contribute to atherosclerosis, or plaque formation in the blood vessels.
If plaque continues to build up, it can completely block a blood vessel, causing a heart attack or stroke.
Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berries
In one animal study, mice that received two doses of hawthorn extract had 28-47% lower levels of 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 showed significant reductions in fasting triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol when rats were fed a hawthorn supplement.
Finally, a 6-month study in 64 people with atherosclerosis found that taking hawthorn extract at a dose of 2.3 mg (5 mg per kg) of body weight significantly reduced the thickness of toxic plaque in the carotid arteries.
Although this research is promising, more human studies are needed to evaluate the effects of hawthorn extract on blood cholesterol.
Impressive Hawthorn Berry Benefits, Dosage, & Side Effects
Summary Animal and human studies show that taking hawthorn extract can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, more human studies are needed.
People have used hawthorn berries and extracts for centuries to treat digestive problems, especially indigestion and stomach pain (
Fruits contain fiber that reduces constipation and acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are foods that feed and support healthy gut bacteria and are important for normal digestion (
One observational study in people with slow digestion found that every additional gram of dietary fiber people consumed reduced the time between bowel movements by 30 minutes.
Emerald Labs Blood Pressure Health With Ginkgo Biloba And Hawthorne Berry To Support Healthy Circulation And Gi Health, Help Support Anti Inflammation And Decrease Stress
In addition, a study conducted on rats found that hawthorn extract significantly reduced the transit time of food in the digestive system.
Furthermore, rodent studies have shown that compounds in hawthorn improve the production and function of digestive enzymes, such as those needed to digest foods high in fat and protein.
Summary People have used hawthorn for centuries as a digestive aid. Helps relieve constipation and improve the production of enzymes needed to digest foods high in fat and protein.
Hawthorn berries help prevent premature aging of the skin due to collagen degradation caused by excessive exposure to the sun and UV rays.
Gaia Herbs Hawthorn Supreme, Vegan Liquid Capsules, 60 Count
One pilot study found that a combination of hawthorn and ginseng extracts prevented the appearance of wrinkles and the signs of aging by increasing skin moisture.
Research suggests that this effect may be related to the antioxidant content of hawthorn. However, research in this area is limited and human studies are needed.
Summary Some studies suggest that hawthorn may help reduce the signs of aging as a result of its antioxidant content.
In an older study of 264 people with anxiety, a combination of hawthorn extract, magnesium, and California poppy significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to a placebo. However, it is unclear what role hawthorn played (
Hawthorn (shan Zha)
Hawthorn has fewer side effects than traditional antidepressants. This is one reason scientists continue to study it as a potential treatment for central nervous system disorders such as anxiety and depression (
However, these studies used different types of hawthorn products, not berries. More research is needed.
If you want to try hawthorn supplements for anxiety, don’t stop your current medication and talk to your health care professional first to make sure it’s safe for you.
Summary Scientists are investigating hawthorn supplementation as a potential treatment for anxiety. However, so far not much research has been done on them for this purpose. More research is needed on the effects of hawthorn berries on anxiety.
Nature’s Sunshine Hawthorn Berry 100c
Along with other traditional medicines, hawthorn berries are known for their traditional use in the treatment of heart failure. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood properly.
Numerous studies have shown that hawthorn has beneficial effects on people with heart failure without serious adverse effects.
Studies have shown that heart function improves and symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath and fatigue, improve.
However, some evidence suggests that hawthorn may be harmful in some cases of heart failure. One study found that using it along with conventional treatments may increase the risk of heart failure (
Hawthorn Berry Whole Or Cut
Conclusion In some traditional medical practices, people use hawthorn along with other traditional medicines for heart failure. However, it can be harmful when used in combination with traditional heart failure medications.
Hawthorn berries may be difficult to find in 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 just the leaves and flowers.
Different brands and forms of hawthorn supplements have different dosage recommendations. The usual dose is 250-500 mg three times a day. However, studies have not established an optimal effective dose (
The Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry & Leaf Extract
Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements like hawthorn more strictly than over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
Look for products approved by independent organizations that evaluate the effectiveness and quality of supplements, such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International, or ConsumerLab.
Summary You can eat hawthorn in many ways or take it as a supplement. However, the appropriate dose remains unclear and more research is needed.
Hawthorn fruit has not had many side effects. These range from mild to moderate.
Unheard Of Benefits Of The Hawthorn Berry Tree
The most common things people report are sweating, headache, drowsiness, palpitations, mild rash, irritation, and gastrointestinal effects.
These are not life-threatening, but be sure to talk to a healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms.
Summary Side effects from hawthorn consumption are mild. They usually present with sweating, headache, drowsiness, palpitations, mild rash, irritation, and gastrointestinal effects.
Medicinal plants are increasingly being used as alternative treatments for a number of ailments