Aronia berries are, as their name suggests, the fruits of the Aronia tree. This shrub belongs to the Rosaceae family, the small berry is therefore a cousin of apples and raspberries. The shrub is very widespread in North America and Eastern Europe. There are two types of Aronia: red and black. Here we offer you black Aronia berries. At first glance, you might mistake them for blueberries. On the other hand, the taste is very specific: sour, rough, astringent and bitter are the flavors that best define it. Once dried, the Aronia berry becomes softer and reveals its sweetness. Thanks to its concentrate of nutrients, it is given the nickname “healing plant”. Indeed, the Aronia berry would be one of the berries richest in phytonutrients, and more precisely in anthocyanins. Anthocyanins resist the acidic pH and drying of the fruit, allowing them to be preserved in the dried berry. Not only do they give this particular color to the berries, but they are powerful anti-oxidants. Latin name: Aronia melanocarpa Michx Eliot. Botanical family: Rosaceae. Part used: Fruit.

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Recommended consumption

Dried Aronia berry is a dried fruit. It therefore contains more sugar than a fresh Aronia Berry, the daily consumption recommendations are defined. As a classic treatment or for pleasure, 20 à 30 g of dried Aronia berries per day, a handful.

In what form ?

To make the most of their benefits, you can use them:

  • Whole
At what time of the day ?

We advise you to use them during the following meal(s) to make the most of their benefits:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • In case
  • Dinner
What methods of use?

You can include them in the following preparations to make them easier to take:

  • Dessert
  • Yogurt, dairy
  • Flat
  • Alone
  • Mixed with other dried fruits
  • Smoothies, juices
  • Infusion
  • Muesli

Health nutrition benefits

Aronia berries can complement your healthy and varied diet.

Eye system

The anthocyanins contained in Aronia berries help maintain good vision.

Metabolism

Thanks to fiber, dried Aronia berries limit blood sugar and cholesterol disorders. In fact, fiber slows down and reduces the intestinal absorption of dietary glucose and cholesterol. In addition, dried Aronia berries are bombs of antioxidants. They contribute to the prevention of atherosclerotic plaques.

Digestive system

Through its fiber content, Aronia berries stimulate intestinal transit (see our guide constipation and diet). They also protect the liver from heavy metals, thanks to the anthocyanins they contain.

Nutritional properties

  • Blood sugar control (fiber): studies show that dried Aronia berries reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In addition, thanks to fiber, the sugars naturally contained in Aronia berries are absorbed slowly. Thus, they will contribute to the post-prandial rebalance of blood sugar levels.

  • Hepatoprotective (anthocyanin): dried Aronia berries are involved in hepatic detoxification. This property is given to it by anthocyanins: they chelate Cadmium, a metal ion.

  • Cardiovascular protector (fiber, anthocyanin): dried Aronia berries are low in sodium and saturated fatty acids. Therefore, they act to prevent cardiovascular pathologies (high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, etc.). In addition, they limit the absorption of cholesterol thanks to the fibers they contain. Additionally, in vitro experiments demonstrate that Aronia berry polyphenols contribute to the protection and restoration of endothelial cells (cells that line blood vessels).

  • Anti-oxidant (anthocyanin): dried Aronia berries are full of anthocyanins, phytonutrients. These neutralize free radicals.

  • Photoprotector (anthocyanin): dried Aronia berries improve visual acuity, thanks to their anthocyanin content.

  • Laxative (fiber): rich in fiber, dried Aronia berries improve digestive transit.

Nutritional values

Nutritional elements per 100g for 25g % of RDA* per 100 g % of RDA* for 25 g
Energy (Kcal) 287 71 14 4
Energy (Kj) 1196 299 14 4
Lipids (g) 2.4 0.6 3 1
Saturated fatty acids (g) 1.5 0.37 8 2
Carbohydrates (g) 54.9 13.7 21 5
Including sugars (g) 6 1.5 7 2
Dietary fiber (g) 16.9 4.22
Protein (g) 2.3 0.57 5 1
Salt (g) 0.03 0 1 0

*recommended daily allowance

Learn more about the plant: Aronia

Aronia is a shrub from the Rosaceae family. Originally from North America, this shrub, more than 2 years old, was introduced to Eastern Europe, Asia and Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. There are several species of Aronia, including the "Viking", which is the best known. It is appreciated for its decorative appearance, since its dark green foliage turns bright orange in autumn. Fun fact, Aronia berries are called "Chokeberry" in English because birds tend to choke on them.

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Bibliography

Publication: Badescu M, Badulescu O, Badescu L, Ciocoiu M. Effects of Sambucus nigra and Aronia melanocarpa extracts on immune system disorders within diabetes mellitus. Pharm Biol. 2015 Apr;53(4):533-9. doi:10.3109/13880209.2014.931441. Epub 2014 Oct 20. PMID: 25327310.

Publication: MONIKA MÜLLER. (2014). Aronia – A newcomer for berry lovers. https://www.sge-ssn.ch/media/tabula-3-14-f-sous-la-loupe.pdf

Publication: Mandica-Tamara Tolić. (2015). Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Capacity and Quality of Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Products. https://doi.org/10.17113/ftb.53.02.15.3833

Publication: Miwa, T.K. (1971). Jojoba oil wax esters and derived fatty acids and alcohols: Gas chromatographic analyses. Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 48(6), 259–264. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02638458

Publication: Rod Taheri. (2013). Underutilized Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa, Aronia arbutifolia, Aronia prunifolia) Accessions Are Rich Sources of Anthocyanins, Flavonoids, Hydroxycinnamic Acids, and Proanthocyanidins. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf402449q

Publication: Loo BM, Erlund I, Koli R, Puukka P, Hellström J, Wähälä K, Mattila P, Jula A. Consumption of chokeberry (Aronia mitschurinii) produces modestly lowered blood pressure and reduced low-grade inflammation in patients with mildly elevated blood pressure. Nutr Res. 2016 Nov;36(11):1222-1230. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2016.09.005. Epub 2016 Sep 14. PMID: 27865620.