elderberries help block flu virus -- i didn't know this

[PatSeg]

17. The article is based on a recent study

at the University of Sydney by a professor and two doctors. Just because something does not come from a pharmaceutical company, does not mean it is "woo".

Conducted by Professor Fariba Deghani, Dr Golnoosh Torabian and Dr Peter Valtchev as part of the ARC Training Centre for the Australian Food Processing Industry that was established in the Faculty of Engineering and IT, the study showed that compounds from elderberries can directly inhibit the virus's entry and replication in human cells, and can help strengthen a person's immune response to the virus.

Although elderberry's flu-fighting properties have long been observed, the group performed a comprehensive examination of the mechanism by which phytochemicals from elderberries combat influenza infections.

"What our study has shown is that the common elderberry has a potent direct antiviral effect against the flu virus," said Dr Golnoosh Torabian.

"It inhibits the early stages of an infection by blocking key viral proteins responsible for both the viral attachment and entry into the host cells."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190423133644.htm

By the way, the effectiveness of flu vaccines is variable. The last season's vaccine was only 29% effective. If you happen to be one of the people it doesn't help, it would be nice to have alternatives.

I guess I was one of the two DUers who went on Google. I happened to find the premise interesting and wanted to see if it was credible.