The aronia berry, also known as the “chokeberry” due to the astringency of the fruit which makes it quite unpleasant to eat raw, is the name of the fruit of two species of shrubs found in wet woods and swamps.  Due to the numerous health benefits of aronia berries, they have been named the healthiest fruits in the world!

The aronia berry is native to North America and grows during autumn and winter, usually turning up in time for Christmas markets in jams and syrups. It is also sold across the US and parts of Eastern Europe and Russia in all shapes and forms, for example juices, pie fillings, yoghurts and jellies.

The black aronia berry, also known as Aronia Melanocarpa, contains the highest amounts of anthocyanin, whereas the red aronia berry, Aronia Arbutifolia, with its bleaker colour contains less antioxidants. This, however, makes it great for juices and jams as it is not quite as bitter as Aronia Melanocarpa.

 

 

The numerous health benefits of aronia berries stem mostly from their antioxidant qualities.  The aronia berry contains what may be the world’s highest concentration of anthocyanins (the powerful antioxidant flavinoids which give berries and red grapes their deep colour). It also contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6 and Folic acid. Tests have shown that this berry can have positive impacts on health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, liver failure, DNA degradation, broken bones and cancer (colon cancer in particular, according to studies from the University of Maryland, USA). It can also suppress viruses, strengthen your arteries and improve circulation.

 

Did you know about these health benefits of aronia berries?

• Aronia berries contain quinic acid, a substance which prevents urinary tract infections.

• Due to the high antioxidant levels, aronia berries help rid the body of free radicals, which helps improve the blood circulation.  This also makes the body’s blood vessels stronger, which helps prevent heart diseases.

• A study was done on the effects of black aronia berries on cancer.  Mice with cancer in their oesophagus were given an aronia berry formulation which was shown to stop caner by thirty to sixty percent.  Another study was done on mice with colon cancer, in which the aronia berry proved to be very effective, stopping cancer by as much as eighty percent.