Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is an adaptable shrub native to Minnesota with hardiness and wide tolerance to a variety of soil textures, densities, pH levels and moisture conditions.
Because of suckering and its tolerance to wet soils, this species is typically used in mass planting, in naturalized and woodland gardens, for erosion control, in windbreaks and in excessively wet soils.
Black chokeberry can also be used as an edible fruit crop although the fruit is too astringent to eat raw.
The high-antioxidant fruit is used in baking and to make jams, jellies, syrup, tea, juice and wine. Fruit can persist into winter and serves as a food source for birds and other wildlife.
In spring, it has showy white flower clusters. In autumn, leaves change from green to vibrant tones of red, orange and purple.
Aronia berries (Aronia melanocarpa) are small, dark berries that have become popular among health-conscious consumers.
They’re considered one of the richest sources of plant antioxidants, which are said to offer many health-promoting properties.
This article reviews all you need to know about aronia berries, including their nutrition, benefits, and downsides.
Description
Deciduous tree; it drops its leaves in fall
Height: 3 to 8 feet
Width: 2 to 6 feet
Upright, rounded plant form
Dark green glossy, finely-toothed 1 to 3-inch leaves
2- to 3-inch clusters of white flowers in spring have showy pink anthers
Clusters of ¼ to ½ inch fruit turn purplish-black or black in late summer and autumn
Aronia berries, or chokeberries, are small, dark fruits that grow on shrubs of the Rosaceae family.
They’re native to North America but grown in other parts of the world, including across Europe.
Traditionally, they were used as a cold remedy by Native Americans.
The berries have a strong mouth-drying effect, so they’re mainly used to make juices, purées, jams, jellies, syrups, teas, and wines.
However, they’re also available fresh, frozen, dried, and in powder form.
Aronia berries are low in calories but pack a nutritional punch, as they’re high in fiber, vitamin C, and manganese.
Just 1 ounce (28 grams) of aronia berries provides the following nutrients:
- Calories: 13
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fat: 0 gram
- Carbs: 12 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Vitamin C: 10% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Manganese: 9% of the DV
- Vitamin K: 5% of the DV
The berries also supply folate, iron, and vitamins A and E.
Plus, they’re an excellent source of beneficial antioxidants.
These compounds help protect your cells from potentially harmful molecules called free radicals. The fruits are particularly high in anthocyanins, which give the berries their dark blue to black color.
Aronia berries have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
This may protect your cells from damage and benefit your health in many ways.
Contain powerful antioxidants
Aronia berries pack high levels of antioxidants.
These compounds defend your cells from damage caused by free radicals. A buildup of free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic conditions, such as heart disease and cancer.
Aronia berries are an excellent source of polyphenols, which is a group of antioxidants that includes phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavanols.
Test-tube studies indicate that the antioxidants in aronia berries can inhibit free radical activity.
The berries themselves also showed superior antioxidant activity, compared with five other berries.
What’s more, a study in 30 healthy people found that extracts from aronia berries significantly reduced oxidative stress caused by an antipsychotic medication within 24 hours.
Moreover, test-tube studies have linked the antioxidants in these fruits to other impressive health benefits, such as decreased inflammation, as well as reduced bacterial and cancer cell growth.
May have anticancer effects
Aronia berries may protect against cancer.
Test-tube and animal studies show that the anthocyanins in aronia berries may stop the growth of colon cancer cells.
One test-tube study found that 50 mg of aronia extract reduced colon cancer cell growth by 60% after 24 hours. It’s thought that the potent antioxidant activity of anthocyanins is responsible for this cancer-suppressing effect.
Similarly, extracts from the berries may reduce oxidative stress related to breast cancer.
In one study, these extracts reduced the number of harmful superoxide free radicals in blood samples taken from women with breast cancer.
That said, current research is limited, and human studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between aronia berries and cancer protection.
May benefit heart health
Due to its antioxidant properties, aronia berries may improve heart health.
In particular, they may help people with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions — including high cholesterol and triglyceride levels — that increases your likelihood of heart disease and diabetes.
One 2-month study in 38 people with metabolic syndrome observed that supplementing with 300 mg of aronia extract daily significantly decreased triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol.
A similar 2-month study in 25 people with metabolic syndrome found that taking 300 mg of aronia extract daily significantly reduced the same health markers, as well as blood pressure.
More human research is needed to identify the role that aronia berries may play in heart health.
May provide immune support
Aronia berries may strengthen and support your immune system.
A test-tube study noted that aronia berry extracts exhibited strong antibacterial activity against the potentially harmful bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus Cereus. It exerted this effect by reducing the bacteria’s production of a protective shield called biofilm.
In addition, a 3-month study in residents of 6 nursing homes found that those who drank either 5.3 or 3 ounces (156 or 89 ml) of aronia berry juice daily experienced 55% and 38% reductions in urinary tract infections, respectively.
Aronia berries may also reduce inflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory substances, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-ɑ) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), which may boost immune health.
Finally, the berries may have antiviral effects.
One mouse study determined that the ellagic acid and myricetin in aronia berry extract may protect against the influenza virus.
