Did You Know…that an amazing “super berry” shows great promise as a weight-loss food, anti-cancer agent, diabetes treatment, and heart protector?
Everything deserves a fresh start in life… even berries. The chokeberry, a fruit native to North America, is shedding its less than flattering old name and being rebranded as the aronia berry—a name derived from its scientific moniker Aronia melancorpa.
Whatever you call it, this berry has some serious health benefits. According to a 2012 report published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, the aronia berry has the highest antioxidant content of any other noted fruit, including the trendy goji and acai berries. Most exciting of all, the aronia berry has shown great promise as a weight-loss food, anti-cancer agent, diabetes treatment, and cardiovascular custodian.
Aronia’s Super Powers
According to a 2005 study published in European Research and Technology, the aronia berry is rich in two types of phenolic compounds: anthocyanins and procyanidins (the same type of antioxidants found in tea and red wine). Aronia berry is also highly concentrated with vitamin C, and together these nutrients help protect against radical damage and oxidative stress and related health problems such as cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis, and even neurological disorders.
Naturally low in fat and calories, aronia berries have been shown to deter against fat storage, particularly in the belly. Aronia berries help treat the other markers of Metabolic Syndrome, including high cholesterol, inflammation, and high blood pressure.A 2010 study made up of 25 people with Metabolic Syndrome indicated that 100 mg of aronia berry extract taken three times daily dramatically reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In terms of diabetes treatment, 200 ml of sugar-free chokeberry juice taken three times a day for three months lowered blood sugar levels, according to a 2005 study. |
Adding Aronia to Your Diet
If you’re interested in aronia berries in their whole form, you can choose from red or black. Red varieties tend to be sweeter, while black aronia berries are bitter and more astringent. You can also add aronia berry as a powder or extract to smoothies and protein shakes.
