The aronia berry, also called the black chokeberry, is one fruit that gets little attention even though it deserves quite a bit of it. Known for its powerful antioxidant properties, this berry has a lot to offer. Aronia berries range in pigment from red to purple and black. The plant that the berry grows on is native to the Americas, but aronia berries are more frequently eaten in Eastern Europe because the peoples of that area recognize how much it helps with heart conditions. Even Native Americans used to commonly use the fruit to dye goods and to eat/drink.
So what are some benefits of consuming this fruit? This berry provides the following nutrients when consumed: anthocyanins, polyphenols, quinic acid, vitamins (C for example), minerals, and flavonols.
The quiantioxidant-fruits.comc acid concentration of aronia berries is actually 10 times that of cranberries. Although cranberries are most often used to prevent urinary tract infections, aronia berries are more successful at it due to the high quinic acid content. In 2006, a study was conducted by the University of Maryland that found choke berries‘ antioxidant properties may help to prevent the damage that colon cancer causes. The following is a list of problems that the aronia berry has been used to treat/prevent:
- Diabetes
- Inflammation
- Cardiovascular Ailments
- Circulatory Problems
- UTI
- Flu
- Certain Types of Cancer
The high Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) Value of the fruit is a result of the high amount of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins within it. These are the chemicals that cause the fruit to be such a dark color.
The best ways to reap the aronia berry benefits are to use it for jelly making, candies, yogurt, pie fillings, sorbets, and flavored milk. You can also find where to buy aronia berries online. Websites like Amazon.com have deals on aronia berry concentrate to add to your favorite beverages. Many of these concentrates feature natural, organic sweeteners to tone down the astringent taste and make the juice of the berry easier to drink.
Buy Aroantioxidant-fruits.comaberry (Chokeberry) Juice Concentrate 16 Fl. Oz on Amazon