Travel is a real-life stress test for seasonal routines: long flights, crowded places, irregular sleep and changes in daily habits can all make people feel more exposed and less in balance. Similar travel stresses could include daily commuting via public transport such as buses and trains. In a 2016 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of long-distance air travelers, participants taking a standardized elderberry extract experienced fewer total days of cold symptoms and lower average symptom scores than those taking placebo. The researchers reported that the elderberry group had 57 total cold-duration days compared with 117 days in the placebo group. Further research was recommended to confirm these findings. The key takeaway is this: a standardized elderberry extract can make a difference when routines are disrupted and the body faces extra demands.

Reference: Tiralongo et al., 2016, Nutrients.

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Your microbiome is a living ecosystem. The more diverse it is, the better it can do what it’s meant to do: process, balance and respond. There are trillions of living bacteria in your gut, and the good ones need the right kind of food to thrive. That is where plant polyphenols come in. They don’t just pass through unnoticed; they can interact with the microbiome and help shape the balance of bacteria inside the gut. This study provides evidence of the prebiotic properties of ElderCraft®, with specific and individualized changes in the gut microbiome observed during supplementation.

In human research, ElderCraft® was linked to increases in selected bacteria such as Akkermansia, Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus - names you may not see on a label, but bacteria that are often discussed in connection with a well-balanced microbiome.

Reference: Reider et al., 2022, Journal of Personalized Medicine.

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This study looked at ElderCraft® Black Elderberry extract together with iota-carrageenan in a lozenge concept, a delivery format designed to act directly where many seasonal challenges begin: in the throat and mouth area. Researchers tested the combination in the lab against relevant respiratory viruses, including RSV and SARS-CoV-2. For consumers, this means a smart lozenge concept for high-contact moments, from buses, trains and flights to crowded offices or meetings. ElderCraft® and iota-carrageenan were shown in laboratory testing to work better together, making the combination an exciting option for short-term seasonal support on the go.

Reference: Setz et al., 2026, Nutrients..

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