Aronia Berry Benefits and How to Use them

I am a Home Remedies For Pink EyeIn this article, I briefly mention a superfruit that is little known called the black chokeberry. While you may have noticed it on an ingredients list of a superfood blend, most people don’t know much about it. That’s unfortunate because it’s a powerful berry with many uses and health benefits. Let’s explore aronia berry…

What is Aronia Berry?

Aronia berry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a “superfood” berry that grows on a leafy shrub native to North America. It’s also known by its common name, black chokeberry, and belongs to the Rosaceae (rose) family. Many people mistakenly refer to aronia berries as chokeberriesChers. Although they look similar, chokecherries belong to a different species. Prunus virginiana.

It is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. It grows well in clay, sandy or boggy soil. As late spring arrives, usually in May, you’ll see the white flowers blossom. The berries mature over time. The summer and they’re ready to pick in late summer to early fall.

Potawatomi Native American in the Great Lakes Region would use dark berries. Cold symptoms. The dried berries were used to make tea as a immune booster. They’d also use them in pemmican, a storage food made of animal fat, dried meat, and sometimes dried berries.

The aronia berry can now be grown on farms dedicated to the cultivation of aronia. Iowa leads the United States in aronia berry cultivation. Poland produces about 80% all aronia berries that are sold worldwide.

What Does Aronia Berries Taste Like?

Its common name is enough to tell you! Chokeberries taste astringent but semi-sweet. They are similar to cranberries. The aronia berries’ pucker power can cause irritation or dry mouth. The juice is usually combined with other berries such as blackberries or raspberries. Aronia can be used as a jelly, jam or wine.

What’s in Aronia Berry?

Aronia berries are rich in a number of healthy components. The nutrients in berries can differ depending on whether they’re fresh, dried, or cooked. These include:

• Carbohydrates
• Antioxidants, such as flavonoids and polyphenols.
• Vitamin C
• Folate
• B-complex vitamins
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Zinc

How the berries are grown can affect their nutritional value. The soil, the climate, the maturity, harvesting and storage methods can all have an impact on a berry’s final nutritional value.

Aronia Berries: Health Benefits

The antioxidants in aronia berry can help with a number of health conditions.

Antioxidants

Aronia berry is considered a “super fruit” thanks to its powerful antioxidants. These compounds combat free radicals which damage cells and cause chronic diseases.

Aronia berries have a much higher anthocyanin content than blue-purple berries. Aronia beats out blueberries and blackberries as well as acai and elderberry.

In a 2014 Korean study, black chokeberry extract was compared to blueberry extraction. The extract of the chokeberry was higher in antioxidants such as flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. Chokeberry had a higher free radical scavenging capacity than blueberry.

Anti-Cancer Activity

Aronia berries can also protect against cancer. In a study conducted in vitro, the anthocyanins found in aronia prevented healthy cell mutation. Researchers have studied the use of aronia in both colon cancer and Breast cancer is a serious disease.

In a study on women with breast carcinoma, aronia extract decreased the harmful free radicals in their blood samples. Aronia was found to work directly on breast cancer cells in another study. They were protected from spreading and becoming damaged.

Research has so far been restricted to cell and animal studies. It is important to continue research in order to understand how this could be used for human cancer. Aronia’s anthocyanins seem to be the active constituent in protecting normal cells from cancer.

Immune System Support

Aronia berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which make them a great immune system booster. Animal studies suggest that aronia berry extract could also help to protect against flu.

Aronia helps the body to fight off other viruses and bacteria. Cell studies have shown that aronia berry berry extract can break down biofilms. E. coli The following are some examples of how to get started: Bacillus cereusBiofilms are used by bacteria to defend themselves. By breaking down the biofilm, the immune system is able to reach and destroy the bacteria.

Nursing Home ResidentsDaily doses of aronia juice were given to support the immune system. Those who drank their daily aronia juice had fewer urinary tract infections (UTIs) than those who didn’t.

Lowering Inflammation

Researchers have found that aronia can reduce inflammation by blocking certain cytokines. Aronia berries contain antioxidants that fight free radicals. lower inflammation. A European Journal of NutritionStudy showed that the extract inhibited inflammation of human heart cells.

While the research is preliminary, it’s encouraging. Aronia can help with inflammation in general and also protect the heart.

Type 1 Diabetes

Aronia berries are showing benefits in animal studies. In a mouse type 1 diabetes model, aronia berry reduced high blood sugar and protected the pancreas.

Cardiovascular Disease

Aronia berries can also help to protect the heart and cardiovascular system.

• Normalizing blood pressure – Animal studies show potential for aronia in addressing high blood pressure. A The study of 25 individualsAronia berry extract, taken three times daily by people with metabolic syndrome helped to reduce blood pressure.
• Balancing cholesterol – In another study of metabolic syndrome, 300 mg of aronia extract daily decreased LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. In a 2017 small study, aronia also helped lower LDL and Total cholesterol over 12 week.
• Lowering inflammation – Lowering overall inflammation is also crucial for a healthy The cardiovascular system.

Who Shouldn’t Use Aronia Berry

Aronia berries can be tolerated by the majority of people. Studies show they’re safe to eat and there weren’t any side effects in research spanning two months. But, like any food, it’s possible to be allergic to them.

Because they’re sour and astringent, they may be unpleasant to eat on their own. You can add them to a variety of foods and drinks.

Aronia Berry: Uses and Benefits

You may be able pick aronia berries fresh yourself if you live in a wooded area of North America. Aronia can be found in many different forms online and at health food shops. You can find aronia berry juice, dried berries, tea, jams & jellies, syrups, and wine.

Aronia Berry Juice

Aronia juice is delicious when blended with pineapple, apple or other juices. It is good with other juices such as pineapple, apple or any Berries juices are a great way to get your daily dose of fruit.

Aronia Fruit Tea

Tea can be made by steeping dried berries in hot, water. You can add honey, or whatever sweetener is your preference.

Jams & Jellies

As jams or jellies, aronia berries can be sweetened. Monk fruit, or any other natural sweetener can be used to make the jam healthier. In a Swedish meatball or side dish recipe, aronia jam can be substituted for lingonberries. (There’s one in My Cookbook).

Aronia Syrup

Aronia berry syrup is a great remedy for cold symptoms. Take it just like elderberry syrup. You can also substitute some elderberries in the recipe. elderberry syrup recipeWith aronia.

Smoothie Boost

Add aronia juice or powder to smoothies before blending. Here are some ideas:

Or, make your own! This would be great blended into a smoothie with pineapple. Try it in pina colada form!

Baking

Aronia berries can be easily incorporated into healthy baking. Add aronia berries to your favorite recipes. favorite muffinOr coffee cake recipes as you would with cranberries. You can also add them to apple, rhubarb and berry pies.

Aronia/Chokeberry Vine

Aronia berries also make an excellent wine – similar to cranberry wine. It’s also sometimes made into liqueurs and schnapps.

Aronia Supplements

Aronia is available in capsules, powders and extracts. Aronia is easy to include in your daily routine. Aronia might be just the antioxidant powerhouse for you!

Aronia Berry: The Bottom Line and Where to Buy It

These astringent super berries may make you pucker. They are worth it because of their nutritional value. Find ways to sneak them into your favorite drinks or condiments, and you’ll reap many benefits. Here’s where to get them:

Have you ever used aronia berry? What’s your favorite way to use it? Please share your thoughts with us!