What are the hawthorn berries's benefits？

Hawthorn berries are tiny fruits that grow on trees and shrubs belonging to the genus Crataegus. The genus includes hundreds of species commonly found in Europe, North America, and Asia. Their berries are rich in nutrients, have a sour taste, a full-bodied taste and moderate sweetness, and the color ranges from yellow to deep red to black. For centuries, hawthorn berries have been used as an herbal remedy for digestive problems, heart failure and high blood pressure. In fact, it is a key part of Chinese medicine.

1. Hawthorn fruit extract is rich in antioxidants

Hawthorn berries are a rich source of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants found in plants (.

Antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals. When these free radicals are present in high levels, they can harm your body. These molecules may come from poor diet and environmental toxins such as air pollution and cigarette smoke. Because polyphenols have antioxidant activity, they have many health benefits.

2. Hawthorn fruit extract may have anti-inflammatory properties

Hawthorn berries may have anti-inflammatory properties that can improve your health. Chronic inflammation is associated with many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, asthma and certain cancers. In a study of mice with liver disease, hawthorn berry extract significantly reduced the level of inflammatory compounds.

In addition, studies on asthmatic mice have shown that supplementation of hawthorn berry extract can reduce inflammation, thereby significantly reducing asthma symptoms.

Due to these encouraging results of animal and test-tube studies, scientists believe that this supplement may have anti-inflammatory effects in humans. However, more research is needed.

3. Hawthorn fruit extract may lower blood pressure

In traditional Chinese medicine, hawthorn berries are one of the most commonly used foods to help treat high blood pressure.

Some animal studies have shown that hawthorn can act as a vasodilator, which means it can relax and constrict blood vessels and ultimately lower blood pressure. In a 10-week study of 36 people with mildly elevated blood pressure, although people taking 500 mg of hawthorn extract per day showed a trend of lower diastolic blood pressure, their blood pressure did not decrease significantly. Another 16-week study of 79 patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension found that compared with the placebo group, those who took 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract per day had a greater improvement in blood pressure. Nevertheless, a similar study of 21 people with mildly elevated blood pressure indicated that there was no difference between the hawthorn extract group and the placebo group. Some evidence suggests that hawthorn berries can lower blood pressure by helping to dilate blood vessels. However, not all studies agree.