One of the key characteristics of the aronia berry is its incredibly dark, rich color. In this instance, beauty is more than skin deep. This pigmentation is not purely an aesthetic feature, but it’s also directly related to the berry’s level of anthocyanidins.
Anthocyanidins are flavonoids commonly found in plants and berries. They are sugarless and like caronoids, are responsible for the pigmentation of fruits like raspberries, blueberries, and aronia berries. The number of anthocyanidins in a fruit is directly proportionate to its level of pigmentation.
So how does this pigmentation benefit people?
The aronia berry plant benefits from the anthocyanidins which provide protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When eaten, they provide the same protective benefit to the skin. Anthocyanidins protect collagen which is important to provide the proper balance of strength and elasticity to joints and capillaries. This can be beneficial for those suffering from varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and other types of vascular swelling.
Like many other antioxidant rich miracle fruits, when free radicals form within the body, anthocyanidins act as antioxidants by fighting against them. Most flavonoids – including malvidin, cyanidin, and delphinidin are water soluble and are often filtered out inside the body. However, anthocyanidins are binding and maintain their properties.
