Elderberry Declared Superfood for Ninth Consecutive Year by Person Who Sells Elderberry Products

For the ninth consecutive year, the elderberry has been declared 'the undisputed superfood of the year' by Cynthia Sambucus, founder and sole proprietor of Sambucus Wellness, a company that sells exclusively elderberry-based products. The announcement, made at a press conference attended by four people (three of whom work for Sambucus Wellness), cited 'groundbreaking new research confirming what traditional foragers have known for centuries: that the elderberry is the most powerful natural health intervention available to modern humans.' The research in question was identified by journalists as a 2016 meta-analysis from the University of Sydney that examined elderberry's effect on cold duration. It is the same study Sambucus has cited in every annual announcement since 2018. 'It's still groundbreaking,' Sambucus said when asked about the repetition. 'Good science doesn't expire.' Sambucus Wellness offers 47 elderberry products, including elderberry syrup, elderberry capsules, elderberry tea, elderberry gummies, elderberry-infused socks, and a product called 'Elderberry Essence for Pets' whose label includes the disclaimer 'This product does not treat, cure, or prevent any disease in any species.' Competing superfood advocates have expressed frustration. 'Last year the acai lobby, the turmeric council, and the spirulina caucus all submitted stronger candidates,' said food trend analyst Derek Antioxidant. 'But Sambucus holds the press conference before anyone else. She announced it on January 3rd. The turmeric people didn't even have their deck ready.' Sambucus has already reserved the press conference venue for next January. When asked if the 2027 superfood will also be elderberry, she replied: 'I think we all know the answer to that.'