NUTRIDOM ARONIA EDITORIAL

Aronia, also known as chokeberry, grows in wet swampy areas in eastern North America and Europe. Like other berries, they have been known to be a rich source of healthy vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. While due to its bitter taste it is not as commonly consumed as other types of berries, aronia berries are one of the most concentrated sources of polyphenols. Polyphenols are a group of phytochemicals or chemicals found in plants that are the main ingredients responsible for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in the body.

One area that has received a lot research focus, are the benefits of aronia on preventing and treating metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms including, elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat and abnormal cholesterol levels. Human and animal studies have shown aronia berry extracts to have favorable results in several factors associated with metabolic syndrome.
  • Cholesterol- After 2 months of treatment with aronia supplements, patients with high cholesterol levels saw a significant decrease in cholesterol concentration as well as several other improvements in lipid profile.
  • Blood Pressure- Laboratory studies have suggested that aronia induces production of nitric oxide by the cells in the blood vessels. This leads to dilation of the blood vessels and a lowering blood pressure. Human studies have shown modest reductions in blood pressure (2-11 mmHG) with 6-8 weeks of aronia supplementation.  
  • Inflammation- Inflammation is a key factor contributing to heart disease and can also be significantly elevated in those that have suffered a heart attack. A study involving patients who survived a heart attack and had been treated with cholesterol lowering medications, were given aronia berry supplements for 6 weeks. Along with decreasing blood pressure, markers of inflammation were significantly reduced in those treated with aronia versus placebo.
  • Oxidative stress- Oxidative stress can be caused by numerous factors, which leads to cell damage in the body and the development of many chronic diseases. Antioxidants fight oxidative stress and prevent damage throughout the body. Antioxidant levels were significantly increased in patients who were supplemented with aronia for 2 months.


Aronia berry supplementation appears to be a safe an effective way to prevent and treat metabolic syndrome.


Sources:
Loo BM, Erlund I, Koli R, Puukka P, Hellström J, Wähälä K, Mattila P, Jula A. Consumption of chokeberry (Aronia mitschurinii) products modestly lowered blood pressure and reduced low-grade inflammation in patients with mildly elevated blood pressure. Nutr Res. 2016 Nov;36(11):1222-1230.
Varela CE, Fromentin E, Roller M, Villarreal F, Ramirez-Sanchez I.  Effects of a natural extract of Aronia Melanocarpa berry on endothelial cell nitric oxide production. J Food Biochem. 2016 Aug;40(4):404-410.

<Written by David Health Research Centre>
03/04/2017



                                         

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