The aronia berry (also known as the choke berry or the Black Chokeberry (Aronia melancarpa/Aronia melanocarpa)), a close cousin of the blueberry, is known for its powerful antioxidant properties and benefits of those properties. They are dark pigmented berries that are extremely high in antioxidants. Higher than blueberries, higher than cranberries, higher, even, than pomegranates. Although native to the Americas, it is far more popular in Eastern Europe where its juice has been known to help people with heart conditions.

It has high levels of proanthocyanins and quinic acid (ten times more than cranberries). Quinic acid prevents urinary infection.

Some nutritional benefits are:

• Polyphenols
• Anthocyanins
• Quinic Acid
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Flavonols

In 2006, Nutrition and Cancer published a study done by the University of Maryland. The study on the choke berry found that this antioxidant berry may provide protection against colon cancer.

The fruit was commonly used by the Native Americans for the color as well as for fresh consumption. It is used in jelly making, candies, pie and cookie fillings, yogurt, sorbet and flavored milk.

The berry’s juice is extremely tart, so the natural juice is best sweetened. When sweetened it is a cross between a blueberry and a blackberry. The actual juice has a very dark purple color.

It can help with:

• Diabetes
• Inflamation
• Cardiovascular Ailments
• Circulatory Problems
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Influenza (Flu)
• Cancer

The author of The Aronia Berry Blog, mentioned that he found this statement about the berry’s bush:

“This shrub is so beautiful, easy to grow and so productive that it will become a staple in American backyards, as it has in Eastern Europe. In Europe and recently in the U.S. it is being widely used in delicious juices, soft drinks, jams and wine. It’s not an “aronia’s conclusion” that this, and the seabuckthorn, are the most productive fruiting bushes in captivity. The fruit is tart eaten fresh even when fully ripe. It is very high in Vitamin C. It is native to the U.S., but the best varieties were bred in Europe.”

It has a high ORAC Value, due to the high concentration of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, both of which contribute to it’s dark, almost black, color.

Probably the best source of this wonderful berry, other than the actual aronia berry itself is in a drink, which you can buy online is the Aronia Berry supplement.

Learn more about the Berry and its benefits, uses and availability:

• Plant Description
• The Berry and Cancer
• Berry Uses
• Berry More Information
• Berry Recipes
• Choke Berry

admin Antioxidant Fruits, Antioxidant Juice, Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Health, Uses of Fruit aronia berries, aronia berry, aronia berry juice, black chokeberry, choke berry