Aronia Berry Quick Facts
Name:
Aronia Berry
Scientific Name:
Aronia melanocarpa
Origin
Eastern North America
Colors
Black, purple or red, glossy (Fruit)
Shapes
Diameter: 1/3-1/2 inch, pea sized (Fruit)
Taste
Distinctive
Calories
47 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients
Manganese (28.26%)
Vitamin C (23.33%)
Total dietary Fiber (13.95%)
Vitamin E (7.80%)
Iron (7.75%)
Health benefits
Lose weight, Assist digestion, Antioxidant properties, Prevents cancer, Cognitive ailments
More facts about Aronia Berry
Aronia melanocarpa, commonly called Black chokeberry, Chokeberry, Apfelbeer, svartaronia, kahle Apfelbeere, is native to Eastern North America. These are the perennial flowering plants with black, purple or red glossy berries from the family Rosaceae. The plant thrives best in well drained soils.
Aronia berry is a woody shrub growing to 4-8 feet tall. The glossy leaves are alternate, elliptic-obovate, dark green; 1-3 inches long and ¾-2 inches wide. The flower occurs from July to August. The hermaphrodite flowers are showy, white which have five petals. The fruits are about 1/3-1/2 inch in diameter of pea sized. Each fruit possess one to five small seeds of deep purple. The fruit have dry, sour and sharp flavor with distinctive taste. The fruiting season begins from Late August to Mid-September. The tree of Aronia berry has perennial lifecycle which has the lifespan of 40-60 years in wild. Thirty berries are contained in a bunch.
History
These berries are originated from East Canada and Eastern parts of North America. Around 1900, it was migrated to Europe and Germany to Russia. In the recent days, it is cultivated in Germany and East European countries.
Aronia berries are rich in antioxidants which prevents cells from the oxidation of free radicals. Anthocyanin provides dark purple color to the berry. The research made on the anthocyanin on aronia berries shows that in 100 foods only 24 included it. The study shows that in a serving about 2147 mg of anthocyanin was provided. The research also shows that Ariona berries have the ability to prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer, ulcers, diabetes, eye inflammation, joint pain, liver disease, flu, cold and allergies. It promotes the memory, slows down the ageing process and enhances the wellbeing.
Nutritional value
100 grams of Aronia fruit grants 26.26% of manganese, 23.33% of vitamin C, 13.95% of total dietary fiber, 7.80% of Vitamin E, 7.75% of Iron, 7.38% of carbohydrate, 6.25% of vitamin B9, 4.82% of zinc, 4.76% of magnesium, 3.45% of potassium, 3% of calcium, 2.80% of protein, 1.43% of total fat and 0.07% of sodium.
Health Benefits of Aronia Berry
The research shows that Aronia berry possess high antioxidant properties. In 100 g of Aronia berry about 1480 mg of anthocyanin is found and 1752 mg of polyphenol. These berries enhance the circulation of blood, enhance the blood vessels and restrain virus. The berry holds anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties which help to maintain overall health. It also prevents the formation of cardiovascular ailments as well as cancer. It has tart or bitter taste similar to blueberry.
Lose weight
Aronia berries have low amount of fat and calories along with dietary fiber and nutrients. These berries help to remain healthy without having extra pounds.
Assist digestion
Aronia berry is rich in dietary fiber which assists in digestion by passing the food easily through gut. Fiber helps to add bulk to the stool and eliminates diarrhea, constipation, bloating, cramping and stomach discomfort. These berries prevent the harmful bacteria in the gut due to the presence of antioxidant and immune enhancing properties. (1)
Antioxidant properties
There are various antioxidant properties packed in this berries. It possesses caffeic acid, quercetin, malvidin, epicatechin, carotene and zea-xanthin. The presence of antioxidant properties enhances the overall health by eradicating free radicals from eyes, skin, bloodstream, tissues and organs. The free radicals lead to the mutation of healthy cells. It is packed with impressive flavonoid and anthocyanin properties. (2)
Prevents cancer
The research shows that the presence of anthocyanin in Aronia berries helps to lower the chances of colon cancer. The berries have the ability to prevent various forms of cancer. (3)
Cognitive ailments
Free radicals damage the pathways of cognitive and brain. The presence of anthocyanins in Aronia berries are associated with the raise of activities of neural pathways and also lower oxidative stress in brain. It lowers the chances of dementia, Alzheimer’s and cognitive ailments. (4)
Immunity
Aronia berries are loaded with antioxidants due to the presence of adequate amount of Vitamin C which helps to regulate the activities of white blood cells. WBC is vital for the collagen production. Collagen is essential for the repair and growth of new organs, tissues, cells and blood vessels. (5)
Eye ailments
Aronia berry contains carotenes which help to lower oxidative stress in eye. It also prevents the chances of macular degeneration and prevents the cataract development. Carotene is an antioxidant which is found in meaningful amount in Aronia berry.
Skin ailments
Aronia berries enhance the skin health as well as appearance. Due to the presence of oxidative stress, the skin ages such as age spots, wrinkles and appearance of scars and blemishes. Antioxidants found in Aronia berries prevent the age symptoms. It helps to tighten the skin. (6)
Heart health and blood pressure
Aronia berries are high in potassium which is healthy for the heart. Potassium acts as a vasodilator that provides relief from the stress on cardiovascular system. It helps to relax arteries, blood vessels, drops of blood pressure, increase in blood flow and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Antioxidants and dietary fiber is essential to lower the level of cholesterol and eliminates free radicals. (7)
Antibacterial properties
The research shows that Aronia berries have a direct effect on gut infections, common flu and respiratory tract infections. (8)
Prevents diabetes
Dietary fiber found in Aronia berries are associated to raise in the regulation of insulin that helps to normalize the level of blood sugar, prevents drops and spikes which could be harmful for the diabetic patients. These berries help to prevent diseases. (9)
Types of Aronia Berry
There are various types of Aronia berry such as:
1. Aronia red:
It reaches up to a height of 2 to 4 m which rarely reaches to 6 m. Foliage is about 5 to 8 cm broad. The flowers are white to pale pink and measures 1 cm broad. Fruits are 4-10 mm wide and red.
2. Aronia black:
It reaches up to the height of 1-3 m. The foliage is small and has the width of 6 cm. The flower is white and fruits are black of about 6-9 mm wide.
3. Aronia violet (purple):
It is the mixture of above two kinds of Aronia berry. Fruits are about 7-10 mm wide and is dark purple to black.
3 Ways to Add Aronia Berry to Your Diet
a) Eat Them Straight
The intake of 100 gm of berries provides about 35% of Vitamin C. It is consumed with oatmeal, yogurt, baked goodies and smoothies.
b) Drink Aronia Juice
A glass of Aronia juice provides 21.7 g of total carbohydrates, 25 mg of sodium, 250 mg of potassium and 33.3 mg of calcium.
c) Take Aronia Supplements
Aronia could be included in the meals by taking natural supplements of Aronia. The supplements benefits the various components such as probiotics.
Traditional uses
Ariona berries assist in the circulation of blood supply to the essential organs and tissues.
It helps to purify blood, lower blood sugar levels, blood pressure.
It helps to deal with vein inflammation and atherosclerosis.
It helps to promote the function of endocrine glands and regulates the hormone secretion.
It assists in the digestion of food.
Ariona berries helps to lower stomach pain, inflammation and also treats gastritis and stomach ulcer.
It enhances the liver function, bile secretion and eliminates toxins from liver.
It is an aid for inflammation, liver problems, gallbladder inflammation, jaundice and bile stones.
The juice and tea made from Aronia berries helps to strengthen immunity and infections.
It is helpful for anemia as well.
Precautions
Due to the presence of oxalic acid in Ariona berry, it may crystallize as oxalate stones in urinary tract.
The people with oxalate urinary tract stones should not consume it in huge amounts.
Oxalic acid interferes with magnesium and calcium absorption.
The excessive consumption of Ariona berries results in gastrointestinal discomfort.
The pregnant and breast feeding women should not consume Ariona berries.
How to Eat
Ripened fruits are consumed fresh.
It is used to make jelly and dried to make pemmican.
The fruits are used for various culinary purposes.
It is also used to make juice, compote, wine and pickles.
In Europe, it is used to make alcoholic beverages and also used as a food colorant.
The berries can be canned, made into candies, jelly, pie, sorbet, yogurt and flavored milk.
It is also used as tea, food coloring, syrup and coloring for fruit spread.
In Europe, juice is blended with apple juice to enhance a blush.
In Russia, apple juices and aronia berries are fermented to make red wine.
In Lithuania, the juice of Aronia is used to make dessert wines.
The berries are used as tops for ice cream and fruit salads.
They are used in cakes, tarts, juice, muffins and pies.
The dried berries are added to the baby food preparations.
The berries can added to smoothies.
The syrup made from Aronia berries are used as an ingredient in many cuisines.
Dried berries are mixed with muesli.
Aronia berries are brewed as an herbal tea.
The berries enhance the flavor of yogurts and fruit drinks.
References:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/73560/
https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=4247
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aronia+melanocarpa
http://aroniainamerica.blogspot.com/2011/03/is-it-chokeberry-or-chokecherry.html
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j420
https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/home/aronia/plant-description-and-habitat/
http://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fruits/aronia-berries/
http://www.healthyfoodstar.com/aronia-health-benefits/
http://www.onlyfoods.net/aronia-berry-chokeberry.html#interesting-facts
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1039&context=extensionhist
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/ndpmcrb7936.pdf
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/chokeberry.html
http://aroniainamerica.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-do-you-use-aronia-berries.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/chokeberries.html