American elderberry plants are cultivating quite a reputation among researchers when compared to European elderberry plants. Organic elderberries have been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for the immune system and upper respiratory conditions. In recent years, products like organic elderberry syrup and other organic remedies from  elderberry plants have held true to the berry’s historical use, as studies have proven the efficacy – especially of American elderberry.

Here’s where the American elderberry versus European elderberry debate gets interesting. In looking at the anthocyanins in the Sambucus nigra (European) varieties compared to the Sambucus canadensis (American) varieties, this study posted on USDA.gov found the following:

Additional anthocyanins in the American elderberry weren’t detectable in the European elderberry. But most importantly, the anthocyanins in the American elderberry varieties are acylated. Acylated anthocyanins are important to note when looking for elderberry products on store shelves because that means they are stable during the manufacturing process and won’t break down easily. Unlike the European elderberry where anthocyanins are known to break down when heated or stored over periods of time and products are likely to lose their purple-black pigment.