Aronia: benefits, dosage, contraindications

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Aronia is a genus of fast-growing deciduous shrubs in the Rosaceae family. The genus consists of only two species, Aronia melanocarpa and Aronia arbutifolia, both native to the same region of eastern North America and capable of hybridizing naturally. The hybrid then produces purple aronia. Both species grow wild, often together in thickets or in open woodland, on moist banks. Aronia was introduced to Eastern Europe, Asia, Scandinavia and Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. Its extreme cold hardiness is notable, as the shrub withstands Siberian temperatures of -30 °C. Its berries, low in calories, are edible. The small green berries turn red on Aronia arbutifolia and then black on Aronia melanocarpa. Aronia melanocarpa is distinguished by its clusters of black berries at maturity. The black berries have a somewhat tart and astringent flesh. Traditionally, they were used as a remedy for colds by Native Americans. They are an excellent source of antioxidants beneficial for fighting cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The anthocyanins contained in aronia berries are capable of stopping the growth of colon cancer cells. In this respect, aronia polyphenols are thought to have a preventive effect on the growth and proliferation of different types of cancer.

Other name(s) 

Chokeberry

Scientific name(s)

Aronia melanocarpa

Family or group: 

Plants

Active ingredients:

Flavonoids

Anthocyanins

Vitamin C

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B2

Oligo-Proanthocyanidins


Indications

Scoring methodology

EFSA approval.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with consistently positive conclusions for the indication.
Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with positive conclusions for the indication.
One or more randomized studies, or several cohorts or epidemiological studies, with positive conclusions for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or conflicting.
No clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.


Metabolic syndrome
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Aronia berries are capable of reducing blood glucose and cholesterol levels, although clinical study results remain mixed. In the context of metabolic syndrome, specific Aronia extracts at 300 mg per day for 2 months reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as total and LDL cholesterol levels, without affecting blood glucose levels or body composition. Another extract at 30 ml per day for 4 weeks decreased body weight, LDL in women, and triglycerides in diabetic patients. Consumption of juice containing Aronia for 6 months also lowered total cholesterol.

Posologie

posologieOral: fruit

posologie300 mL

duration3 - months

populationAdults

formulationjuice


Synergies


Cardiovascular diseases
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Aronia berries have demonstrated positive effects on cardiac and vascular health. Aronia extracts have a beneficial effect in patients with metabolic disease. They significantly reduce serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels, thereby regulating lipid profiles. In patients with hypercholesterolemia, it has been shown that a 2-month supplementation with aronia significantly reduces cholesterol levels (-22%) and lipid peroxidation (-40%), while improving membrane fluidity. Aronia extracts improve blood vessel function by reducing levels of a substance called ET-1, which promotes cardiovascular health. They also have an anti-aggregatory effect, preventing the formation of blood clots. Blood pressure is decreased by polyphenol extracts (anthocyanins and flavonoids) in hypertensive subjects. These extracts also strengthen patients' endogenous antioxidant defenses (SOD, GSH-Px). These extracts would therefore reduce cardiovascular risks. Although further clinical studies are necessary, some studies clearly support their use for maintaining cardiovascular health.

Posologie

posologieOral administration: fruit

posologie300 mL

duration2 - months

populationAdults

formulationjuice

The polyphenol-rich extracts from black chokeberry and grape seeds impair changes in the platelet adhesion and aggregation induced by a model of hyperhomocysteinemia
Short-term supplementation with Aronia melanocarpa extract improves platelet aggregation, clotting, and fibrinolysis in patients with metabolic syndrome
Effects of aronia berry (poly)phenols on vascular function and gut microbiota: a double-blind randomized controlled trial in adult men
Aronia melanocarpa fruit extract exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in human aortic endothelial cells
Beneficial Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Chokeberry Juice Consumption on Blood Pressure Level and Lipid Status in Hypertensive Subjects
Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Anthocyanin-Rich Water-Soluble Aronia Dry Extracts
Antithrombin effect of polyphenol-rich extracts from black chokeberry and grape seeds
In vivo influence of extract from Aronia melanocarpa on the erythrocyte membranes in patients with hypercholesterolemia
Extract from Aronia melanocarpa fruits potentiates the inhibition of platelet aggregation in the presence of endothelial cells
Combination therapy of statin with flavonoids rich extract from chokeberry fruits enhanced reduction in cardiovascular risk markers in patients after myocardial infraction (MI)
Anticoagulant effect of polyphenols-rich extracts from black chokeberry and grape seeds
Aronia melanocarpa extract reduces blood pressure, serum endothelin, lipid, and oxidative stress marker levels in patients with metabolic syndrome

Obesity
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Aronia exhibits anti-pancreatic lipase activity in an oil emulsion model. It may thus effectively inhibit the hydrolysis of triglycerides and consequently reduce lipid absorption. In a clinical study of overweight or obese women with at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor, daily consumption of 300 mL of a blend of aronia, apple, blueberry, and cranberry juices for 6 weeks did not reduce body weight, BMI, or blood pressure. However, an improvement in total cholesterol and HDL levels compared with baseline was observed.

Posologie

posologieOral: fruit

posologie300 mL

formulationjuice


Synergies


Aging well
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Aronia extracts, rich in polyphenols, can reduce the activity of certain genes involved in the progression of brain tumors, offering a promising lead against glioblastoma.nnFurthermore, aronia juice stimulates the body's antioxidant enzymes, supporting its potential role as an anti-aging supplement. This dual action strengthens interest in aronia for the prevention of aging and the fight against chronic diseases.nn

Posologie

posologieOral administration: fruit

posologie200 mL

formulationjuice

Up-regulation of tumor suppressor carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 in human colon cancer Caco-2 cells following repetitive exposure to dietary levels of a polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice
Anticancer Effects of Extracts from Three Different Chokeberry Species
Induction of apoptosis and reduction of MMP gene expression in the U373 cell line by polyphenolics in Aronia melanocarpa and by curcumin
Preparative Purification of Polyphenols from Aronia melanocarpa (Chokeberry) with Cellular Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activity
Antioxidant activities of chokeberry extracts and the cytotoxic action of their anthocyanin fraction on HeLa human cervical tumor cells
Effect of Supplementation with Black Chokeberry ( Aronia melanocarpa) Extract on Inflammatory Status and Selected Markers of Iron Metabolism in Young Football Players: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial
Effects of anthocyanins on the prevention and treatment of cancer
Structure-function relationships of anthocyanins from various anthocyanin-rich extracts on the inhibition of colon cancer cell growth
In vitro antileukaemic activity of extracts from chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa [Michx] Elliott) and mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves against sensitive and multidrug resistant HL60 cells
Chemotherapy modulates the biological activity of breast cancer patients plasma: the protective properties of black chokeberry extract
Cytotoxicity of gemcitabine enhanced by polyphenolics from Aronia melanocarpa in pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC-1

Respiratory infections
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By stimulating the immune response, aronia berries may have positive effects on upper respiratory tract symptoms. Indeed, aronia berries, thanks to their many antioxidant components, could prevent symptoms of influenza and the common cold, as noted by their use in traditional medicine.

Posologie

posologieOral use: fruit

posologie100 mL

populationAdults

formulationjuice


Properties


Cardiovascular

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Aronia appears to be beneficial for its preventive impact on the cardiovascular system. It notably has anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet properties that limit clot formation. The polyphenols in aronia may act by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and through antioxidant effects, offering potential for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic complications. Consumption of aronia improves blood circulation and blood lipid levels in people at high cardiovascular risk, with cholesterol and triglyceride levels being significantly reduced after 2 months of supplementation.

Usages associés

Cardiovascular diseases

Antioxidant

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The anthocyanins in aronia have antioxidant activity, demonstrated by laboratory, animal, and human studies. Taking aronia extract reduces levels of pro-oxidant substances and alters blood levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In high-level athletes, aronia extract improves antioxidant enzyme levels, and in healthy adults it increases the availability of reduced glutathione and the activity of glutathione peroxidase following exercise.

Usages associés

Cardiovascular diseases, Healthy aging

Hypoglycemic

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People with diabetes may also particularly benefit from the aronia berry, which is low in sugar. Possible mechanisms include inhibition of enzymes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates and fats. Drinking 200 ml of aronia juice every day for 3 months normalized the blood sugar level of individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Usages associés

Metabolic syndrome

Lipid-lowering

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Research indicates that aronia may reduce plasma lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidemia or metabolic syndrome, although results are mixed in healthy subjects or those at cardiovascular risk. The beneficial effects on lipids could result from aronia's antioxidant action rather than from its influence on hepatic cholesterol metabolism. In addition, aronia may reduce intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

Usages associés

Obesity, Cardiovascular diseases, Metabolic syndrome


Safe dosage

Adult: 200 mL (juice)

Aronia juice has most often been consumed at a dosage of 200 to 500 mL per day for a period that can last up to 12 weeks.


Interactions

Médicaments

Antiplatelet agents/anticoagulants: moderate interaction

Aronia may have an antithrombotic, blood-thinning effect.


Precautions

Pregnant women: use with caution

To be consumed as part of a balanced diet and in dietary amounts.

Breastfeeding women: use with caution

To be consumed as part of a balanced diet and in dietary amounts.nn