Aronia berry
"Discover Black Aronia berry /Chokeberry, Unlock a New Era of Health"
Aronia berries are a small, round fruit native to North America. Their sharp taste dries out the mouth, earning them the nickname "chokeberries." Don't let the name fool you though, chokeberries are safe to eat and have numerous health benefits.
If you live in North America, you may notice aronia berries growing in the wild. They look a bit like small cranberries, though they can be red or black, and grow on shrubs throughout the continent. Historically, they've been used by Native American tribes to make teas and treat colds as well as to eat.
Today, these berries are eaten all over the world. You can get them fresh, dried, or as a juice.
Health Benefits
A number of laboratory studies have been done on mice and rats exploring the health benefits of aronia berries. While these results need to be confirmed in human studies, early results indicate that these berries may be able to help with conditions like cancer, diabetes, and organ damage.
Cancer-Fighting Properties
Aronia berries may reduce cancer cell growth in people with certain types of cancer. One study showed that aronia berry extract was effective in preventing colon cancer growth in rats. Studies are still in the early stages, however, and it’s too soon to say if the extract will have the same effect in humans.
A more recent study on the cancer-fighting properties of aronia berries showed that aronia extracts reduced cell damage in people with breast cancer.
Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Early studies on rats have shown that aronia berries may fight insulin resistance. More research is needed to see whether those results are true for humans as well.
Organ Health
Recent studies have looked at how aronia juice could help improve liver function. In mice with liver damage, aronia fruit juice was able to lessen the symptoms and improve liver health. While this research shows promise, further studies are needed to find out if aronia juice would have the same effect on humans.
While research into the health benefits of aronia berries is still in its early stages, results so far have been encouraging. In addition to being a tasty treat, early tests suggest that aronia berries may be able to help improve organ function and fight disease.
Nutrients Per Serving
The exact nutrition value of aronia berries depends on how the berries were grown and prepared. In general though, 1/4 cup of dried aronia berries contains approximately:
Calories: 45
Carbohydrates: 10 grams
Fat: Less than 1 gram
Sugar: 3 grams
Aronia berries are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including:
Vitamin C
Folate
B Complex Vitamins
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Iron
Zinc
Possible health benefits of Aronia berries include:
Help reduce the risk of cancer:
Studies have shown that Aronia berries have the strongest potential of reducing cancer risk.
The antioxidants present in the berry, especially anthocyanins, help stop colon cancer cells from proliferating and growing, thereby reducing their growth by up to 60 percent.
When the extracts are taken by women with breast cancer, it reduces oxidative stress on the body and reduces the generation of free radicals into the blood.
Prevent or reduce the risk of chronic diseases:
They are high in polyphenol antioxidants, which are known to maintain good health and have the potent ability to prevent chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.
Help lower blood pressure:
Aronia extracts have been shown to relax the tissue on the walls of blood vessels and help improve blood flow, thereby reducing the possibility of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Many cardiovascular diseases reduce the ability of the blood vessels to relax, resulting in the hardening of arterial walls. They help reduce blood pressure and may help combat high blood pressure in the arteries.
Improve heart health:
Rich in antioxidants, Aronia berries help lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol and improve heart function.
Intake of Aronia berry juice, about 250 mL daily, decreases the bad cholesterol levels (low-density lipoprotein).
Help manage diabetes:
Aronia berries, as well as their juice and extract, are widely consumed to manage diabetes.
Studies suggest that these berries can improve glucose metabolism and regulate sugar levels by reducing insulin resistance.
Improve Immune function:
Aronia berries possess immunomodulatory properties that can support and strengthen the immune system.
Extracts from the berries have been shown to help prevent harmful bacterial activity by decreasing its protective biofilm production and viral diseases.
The berry extract exhibited strong antibacterial activity against harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus.
Ellagic acid and myricetin in Aronia berry extract may protect against the influenza virus.
Reduce the risk of urinary tract infections:
Studies show a strong reduction in urinary tract infections in patients who had Aronia berry juice regularly.
The berries inhibit the body's release of inflammatory substances, such as cytokines and interleukins, and reduce the inflammatory response.