Hawthorn Berries Benefts – Hawthorn berries are small fruits that can be found on shrubs or trees that belong to the Crataegus family. This category of plants includes more than 100 trees and shrubs found throughout Europe, Asia and North America.
A distinctive feature of the hawthorn is the high content of nutrients, the tart taste and relatively little sweetness. Color of hawthorn berries can vary from pale yellow to black.
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Hawthorn Berries Benefts
For a long time, hawthorn has been used as a medicinal plant that helps normalize digestion, heart muscle function and blood pressure levels. For the same reasons, hawthorn fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Let’s take a closer look at what hawthorn is and how to use it properly.
Impressive Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry
As we know, hawthorn berries contain a large amount of polyphenols, which are among the powerful antioxidants of plant origin. When ingested by the human body, they allow to neutralize the negative effects of free radicals – unstable molecules that lead to the destruction of some cells. Concentrations of unwanted molecules can increase as a result of improper diet, negative environmental effects in the form of polluted air, and bad habits such as smoking.
Due to their high antioxidant activity, scientists have linked the inclusion of polyphenols in the diet with a reduced risk of diseases such as:
And while initial studies in the above areas showed encouraging results, scientists insist that more experiments are needed to determine the effect of hawthorn on various diseases.
Adding hawthorn berries to your diet can reduce inflammation, which can improve your body’s condition. According to research, chronic inflammation causes a number of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, asthma and many others.
Healths Harmony Hawthorn Berry 4:1 Extract (120 Capsules) Supports Healthy Blood Pressure, Circulation, Heart Health & Immune System
In one experiment, it was found that in mice with liver disease, hawthorn was able to reduce inflammatory compounds. At the same time, in another group of rodents suffering from asthma, a product eliminated disease symptoms.
Corresponding results of animal studies have shown that the supplement can have anti-inflammatory effects, including in humans. But more research is needed to confirm this property.
Hawthorn has been used for many years in Chinese medicine to lower blood pressure. Scientists attribute this use to the berries’ ability to widen blood vessels, which leads to the normalization of blood pressure.
In a 10-week study on people with high blood pressure, scientists found that regular consumption of 500 milligrams of hawthorn extract reduced diastolic blood pressure, but had no effect on blood pressure.
Unheard Of Benefits Of The Hawthorn Berry Tree
In another experiment involving 79 people with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that 1, 200 milligrams of Hawthorn extract was more effective in normalizing blood pressure than moderate amounts. In those with normal blood pressure, however, taking this substance did not result in any changes for the worse or better.
It is not uncommon to find hawthorn as one of the ingredients in cosmetic products designed to protect against hair loss or to stimulate hair growth. For example, one of the experiments on rats showed that the addition of Hawthorn extract to the diet increases the size and number of hair follicles, which improves the quality of the hair and ensures t -its enhanced growth.
According to scientists, the effect described above is due to a high content of polyphenols. Despite this, the number of studies in this area of the use of hawthorn is relatively small. Therefore, a number of additional experiments are needed to confirm this effect.
Certain studies show that the inclusion of hawthorn fruit in the diet can normalize the levels of fat in the blood, namely triglycerides and cholesterol. These trace elements are responsible for the transport of nutrients and hormones throughout the body. However, this function is respected only if their levels are within normal limits.
Hawthorn Fruit: Great For Digestion And Heart Health!
Elevated levels of triglycerides and cholesterol with a parallel decrease in HDL (good cholesterol) can lead to the development of atherosclerosis and the accumulation of cholesterol plaques on the vessel walls. This last process can cause a complete blockage of the veins and, consequently, lead to a stroke or heart attack.
During one of the studies, scientists found that in mice with hawthorn extract in their diet, the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) decreased by 28-47 percent, and with it, the -amount of triglycerides decreased. At the same time, another study showed that the effectiveness of plants is comparable to special drugs for normalizing cholesterol levels. However, unlike the drug, the fruit extract was more effective in reducing LDL levels.
Hawthorn fruit has been used in folk medicine for several hundred years to normalize gastrointestinal function. They can eliminate abdominal pain and upset stomach. Researchers attribute a corresponding property to a high fiber content, which eliminates constipation, improves digestion and acts on the body as a probiotic.
Probiotics are substances that are needed to promote healthy gut bacteria and normalize digestion. One study found that in individuals with delayed digestion, regular intake of fiber shortened the period between defecation by an average of 30 minutes.
Benefits Of Using Siberian Hawthorn Berries
In addition, scientists have found that hawthorn extract can shorten the time it takes for food to pass through the GI tract. This helps to speed up a number of processes and eliminate symptoms of an upset stomach in a shorter period of time. In addition, this product was able to protect the stomach from damage in participants suffering from ulcers.
One of the distinctive properties of hawthorn is its mild sedative effect on the body, which allows you to reduce feelings of anxiety. Despite this, research on the effect of hawthorn on blood pressure has shown that this product has a negligible effect on anxiety levels. In another experiment, however, the combination of the berries of this plant with magnesium and maca led to a significant reduction in feelings of anxiety and worry.
Based on the fact that taking hawthorn has minimal side effects compared to anti-anxiety drugs, scientists continue to study its effects on the central nervous system. In addition, researchers suggest that this product can be used to treat CNS disorders and depression.
If you wish to use hawthorn extract or the fruits of this plant to reduce anxiety, restlessness, or treat depression, you should stop taking other medicines first and consult your doctor.
Hawthorn (crataegus Oxycantha)
Often the benefits of hawthorn are compared to traditional medicines for the treatment of heart failure. An analysis of 14 different experiments carried out on different age groups showed that the use of hawthorn together with medication for heart failure improved the function of the heart and its ability to withstand high physical activity . At the same time, the participants of the experiment had a reduction in breathlessness and an increase in endurance.
One two-year study, which included about 950 people with heart failure, found that hawthorn berries can normalize heart rhythm and relieve dyspnea more effectively than placebo. In addition, a group that grew needed less medication to treat heart disease.
Another study involving more than 2,600 people with symptoms of heart failure showed that hawthorn extract can reduce the risk of death caused by heart disease.
Due to the health benefits of hawthorn described above, doctors strongly recommend the use of this product together with medicines for the treatment of heart failure. They also note that the supplement is not dangerous for human health and has minimal side effects.
Health Benefits Of Hawthorn Berry
Hawthorn berries are extremely rare to find in grocery stores. However, they can be purchased effortlessly in specialized online stores.
As a rule, hawthorn tablets contain not only plant berries, but also leaves and flowers. This is due to the fact that the concentration of useful substances in the last two products is much higher than in the fruit.
Recommendations for the use of hawthorn may vary depending on the form. So, for example, for the treatment of heart failure, an extract should be used in the amount of 300 milligrams per day, while in natural form, the recommended amount of consumption is from 250 to 500 milligrams.
It is worth noting that the composition of dietary supplements in most cases is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, it is impossible to know the effectiveness or safety of a particular supplement.
Benefits Of Hawthorn Juice
When purchasing supplements, you should look for products that have been quality assured by independent sources such as U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab or NSF International.
Although the number of side effects when taking Hawthorn is relatively low, doctors recommend that this product be included in the diet with extreme caution. This is due to the fact that some people experienced dizziness and nausea when they consumed an extract of this plant.
Also, scientists have noted that due to its strong effect on the heart muscle, hawthorn can somehow affect the effect of some medicines. Therefore, before including it in the diet, you should definitely consult with your doctor.
Doctors often attribute useful properties of hawthorn to the high content of antioxidants. Their inclusion in the diet can have a positive effect on the health and function of the heart muscles. Studies show that this product, among other things, can normalize blood pressure, reduce triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol in the blood. Also, taking it can improve hair growth and eliminate inflammatory processes that lead to the development of dangerous diseases.
Hawthorn Berry Capsules
If you wish to include hawthorn fruit or supplements of the same name in your diet, consult your doctor beforehand.
In our Blog: You will find posts from Vietnamese doctors and our editors about a variety of news and health issues. Hawthorn is often called “the herb of the heart” for its various cardio-protective abilities. Prized for its ability to uplift and strengthen the heart both emotionally and physically, the hawthorn berry has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for all kinds of serious heart concerns. These include angina, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, irregular heartbeat and even