by Michelle Sprecher

Created on: May 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 16, 2008

Pucker up and get ready to receive the benefits of the tart Aronia Berry. For the broken hearted a toast to its benefits is in order by tipping a glass of wine containing Aronia Berry. You will have a change of heart (literally). Protecting the health of your heart is one benefit where the Aronia Berry can play a part. Present day finds us taking another look at this fruit that is filled with healing properties, that has been used by many in the past.

Better known as the chokecherry or chokeberries this shrub fruit has played an important part in the Native American Indian medicinal practices and everyday life. Making use of the whole bush, roots were chewed and the mush placed on wounds to prevent bleeding. To treat diarrhea and fevers the Native Americans boiled the bark and drank the tea. The berries made an excellent dye for clothing and played an important part in their preserving process of meats and other foods.

Today the astringent fruit is used in jellies, baked goods, sauces, yogurt, dry wines and more. The fruit can be used like cranberries or blueberries. In addition to food and drink, the medicinal physiological discoveries of the Aronia Berry are what is truly amazing and are just starting to catch on in the U.S.

Why look to this berry? Aronia contains flavonoids and antioxidants in high concentrations and is considered to be three times healthier than blueberries. With flavonoids several times higher than cranberry juice the Aronia berry plant has one of the highest amounts of anthocyanins. The pigment in the dark blue skin contains the main active ingredient, anthocyanins, which are the antioxidant flavonoids that help protect many of the body systems. It is often combined with other fruits to make beneficial juices and is also available in extract form. Recent studies have shown that Aronia may be helpful in controlling blood sugar levels and reduce cardiovascular risk factors

In a 2007 double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial study (Naruszervicz M et al), conducted by the Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phythotherapy, Medical University of Warsaw and the Center for Atherosclerosis Research, Pomerainian Medical University Szczecin, Poland gave patients, who had experienced myocardial infracture and were being treated with statin therapy, a rich extract from the Aronia Berry. Cardiovascular risk markers were significantly reduced in those taking the Aronia melanocarpa E. They saw a reduction in blood pressure and Ox-LDL levels and more.

An animal modeled study in 2007 (Valcheva-Kuzmanova S et al), conducted by the Department of Preclinical Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria was conducted on diabetic rats. The outcome showed that the use of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice might be useful in the prevention and control of diabetes and in the complications of diabetes.

Many studies have been done on Aronia, particularly in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe. It has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer and it suppress viruses. Additionally, it has been proven to improve and strengthen blood vessels and circulation and may be effective in treating ulcers.

Treat your body with love, plant an Aronia Berry bush (it is from the rose family) and incorporate this fruit berry into your diet. Do what primitive humans did. They ate lots of fruit and vegetables high in anothocyanins. Your body will thank you.

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