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ARONIA BERRY HEALTH BENEFITSAronia berries contain higher levels of antioxidants, ployphenois, and anthocyanins than cranberries, blueberries, grapes, and most other fruits. Studies have shown that antioxidants help reduce the risk for cancer, heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, bacterial infections and neurological diseases in humans. They also slow the aging process. Antioxidant levels in food are measured by Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC). ORAC measures the overall antioxidant power of a food or supplement. USDA research shows Aronia berries has one of the highest antioxidant content of any fruits.
Existing ResearchAlzheimer’s Disease MS (human) Published in: International medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 25 patients w/ metabolic syndrome consumed aronia 3 times daily for 2 months; Aronia berry consumption reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by a mean average of 11.5 and 5 mmHg. “Conclusion:Aronia extract may be of benefit to patients with MS. This seems to result from the influence of anthocyanins and possibly other flavonoids on blood pressure, serum level of ET-1, lipids, and oxidative status” Aronia melanocarpa extract reduces blood pressure, serum endothelin, lipid, and oxidative stress marker levels in patients with metabolic syndrome. Med Sci Monit. 2010 Jan;16(1):CR28-34. Aronia melanocarpa extract reduces blood pressure, serum endothelin, lipid, and oxidative stress marker levels in patients with metabolic syndrome. Med Sci Monit. 2010 Jan;16(1):CR28-34. Blood Clotting CancerBreast Cancer(in vitro) published in: Journal of medicinal plant research Breast cancer patients have significantly higher oxidative stress markers. The following study shows the reduction of these oxidative stresses when exposed to aronia extracts. An extract from berries of Aronia melanocarpa modulates the generation of superoxide anion radicals in blood platelets from breast cancer patients. Planta Med. 2009 Oct;75(13):1405-9. Epub 2009 May 14. An extract from berries of Aronia melanocarpa modulates the generation of superoxide anion radicals in blood platelets from breast cancer patients. Planta Med. 2009 Oct;75(13):1405-9. Epub 2009 May 14. (mice) (in vitro) published in: Nutrition and Cancer: An International Journal, research from the University of Maryland. This study shows a 60% growth inhibition of human HT-29 colon cancer cells. Anthocyanin-rich extract from Aronia meloncarpa E induces a cell cycle block in colon cancer but not normal colonic cells. Nutr Cancer. 2003;46(2):186-96. Anthocyanin-rich extract from Aronia meloncarpa E induces a cell cycle block in colon cancer but not normal colonic cells. Nutr Cancer. 2003;46(2):186-96. (in vitro) (mice) (in vitro) University of Illinois chemopreventative research done on Leukemia cells. “Results from this study suggest that significant anticancer potential is present in both cultivated and wild Aronia”. Chemopreventive Potential of Flavonoid Extracts from Plantation-bred and Wild Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) Fruits. JFS 71: C480-C488 Cholesterol (human) This study showed that regularly drinking aronia juice had a statistically significant increase in serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration and in the flow mediated dilatation (FMD). 35 of 35 patients with moderately high cholesteral had a >= 7% increase in FMD after consumption of aronia juice. Drinking of chokeberry juice from the ecological farm Dzieciolowo and distensibility of brachial artery in men with mild hypercholesterolemia.Ann Agric Environ Med. 2009 Dec;16(2):305-8. Drinking of chokeberry juice from the ecological farm Dzieciolowo and distensibility of brachial artery in men with mild hypercholesterolemia.Ann Agric Environ Med. 2009 Dec;16(2):305-8. (human) (rat) In clinical trials Aronia was shown to reduce inflammation in arterial cell walls, reduce ACE (an inhibitor of vasodialation of the arteries), and reduce the number of ox-LDL that coagulate along the walls of the arteries an create blockage. All of these processes are mechanisms that have been shown to cause Coronary Heart Disease, and eventually heart attacks or stroke. Effects of Aronia melanocarpa juice as part of the dietary regimen in patients with diabetes mellitus.Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2002;44(3):20-3. (human) (in vitro) (rat) (human) This study was done on 48 patients with both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependant diabetes. Results: “Accumulated data illustrated the hypoglycemic potential of Aronia juice. The precise mechanism of its action is unknown but its beneficial effects and good taste make it a valuable adjunct to the dietary treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus.” Effects of Aronia melanocarpa juice as part of the dietary regimen in patients with diabetes mellitus.Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2002;44(3):20-3. Anti-inflammatory effects of aronia extract on rat endotoxin-induced uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005 Jan;46(1):275-81. Gastric Damage (rat) Gastroprotective effect of red pigments in black chokeberry fruit (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) on acute gastric hemorrhagic lesions in rats. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Apr 21;52(8):2226-9. (human) Endothelial progenitor cells(EPC) are bone marrow cells that repair damaged tissue resulting from a heart attack. These cells are quickly used up because of oxidative stresses. Aronia consumption increases telomerase activity in these cells, which allows them to increase the amount of repair they can do before they are exhausted. Combination therapy of statin with flavonoids rich extract from chokeberry fruits enhances reduction in cardiovascular risk markers in patients after myocardial infraction (MI).Atherosclerosis, 194, 179-184. Inflammation (rat) This study shows the anti-inflamatory power of Aronia. “ the anti-inflammatory effect of 100 mg Aronia extract was as strong as that of 10 mg prednisolone”, ”The anti-inflammatory action of Aronia extract was stronger than that of either quercetin or anthocyanin administered alone.” Anti-inflammatory effects of aronia extract on rat endotoxin-induced uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005 Jan;46(1):275-81. (human) (rat) Hepatoprotective effect of the natural fruit juice from Aronia melanocarpa on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats.Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2004 Dec;56(3):195-201. Muscle Recovery (human) This study was done to show potential for aronia consumption to reduce exercise-induced oxidative damage to red blood cells. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism The Influence of Chokeberry Juice Supplementation on the Reduction of Oxidative Stress Resulting from an Incremental Rowing Ergometer Exercise Lucja Pilaczynska-Szczesniak, A. Skarpanska-Steinborn, E. Deskur, P. Basta, and M. Horoszkiewicz-Hassan, 15(1), 2005 Viruses, Flu (in vitro) Aronia was used to slow the spread of flu virus, and other pathogenic organisms in vitro. Valcheva-Kuzmanova S, Russev V, Bojkova K, Belcheva A. Study of natural Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice for antibacterial and antiviral аctivity. Scr Sci Med. 2003;35:21-3. Weight Gain Aronia has been proven to treat the underlie conditions of Metabolic Syndrome, a symptom of which is extra weight around your waist. The following links are studies done on rats that show reduction in belly fat in rats with diabetic or prediabetic conditions. (rat) Polish Study; “In conclusion, chokeberry fruit derivatives may act as a promising supplementary therapeutic option in the prevention and treatment of disorders occurring in metabolic syndrome, as well as their complications.” (human) Current ResearchInflammatory bowel disease Research is currently being done on the use of Aronia berries to treat inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). IBD effects 1.4 million americans, Children with IBD have increased risk of nutrient deficiencies, muscle wasting, and poor bone development. http://www.dietandhealth.uconn.edu/projects/efficacy-of-aronia-chokeberry-polyphenols-to-inhibit-th17-in-vitro-and-in-a-mouse-model-of-inflammatory-bowel-diseases-ibd/ Heart Disease, Cholesterol of former smokers UConn researcher Bradley Bolling has been awarded $417,076 for his research of consumption of Aronia berries and it’s impact on cardiovascular disease in former smokers. “Our hypothesis is that dietary chokeberry polyphenols reduce cardiovascular disease risk in former smokers by improving cholesterol profiles and inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress,” Bolling says. http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2012/01/uconn-researchers-awarded-state-grants-for-study-of-tobacco-related-disease How much should I eat? Several of the human trials administered the equivalent of a few berries (3-5 berries) 3 times a day. Multiple doses a day is important to keep consistently higher flavonoid contents in your blood stream. (i.e. anthocyanins/etc.. levels in your blood seem to drop off after a couple of hours.) This seems to me to be a minimum amount and I would recommend staying on the high side of this, I usually tell people to eat a good sized handful over the course of the day. |
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The following is a list of conditions, and the clinical research on the consumption of Aronia Berries to treat these conditions:
