Custom Search

Choke berry (aronia) nutrition facts

Wish to have robust health! Choke berry or aronia have it all!... The humble chokeberry shrub has recently grabbed the attention of fruit lovers and food scientists alike for their exceptional nutritive value of their tiny fruits. 

Botanically, the fruit belongs to the rosaceae family of the genus aronia. Scientific name: Aronia melanocarpa.

Black chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa)	Aronia bloom (Photo: Linda. N)

At least two species of choke berries are cultivated widely, black and red. The plant bears numerous small, about 1 cm size fruits with relatively thick, pigmented skin. Red berries are sweeter in taste than black berries; the latter are slightly bitter in taste; however, black and blue berries are rather rich in anthocyanin anti-oxidants.

Health benefits of choke berries

• Chokeberries are low in calories and fats but are rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fiber.

• Black chokeberries compose significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phyto-chemicals called anthocyanins. Total anthocyanin content in the choke berries is 1480 mg per 100 g of fresh berries, and proanthocyanidin concentration is 664 mg per 100 g (Wu et al. 2004, 2006). Scientific studies have shown that consumption of berries on regular basis offers potential health benefits against cancer, aging and neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infections. (- By Dr. Paul Gross, 2007-07-09).

• Laboratory analyses of anthocyanins in chokeberries have identified the following individual chemicals: cyanidin-3-galactoside, quercetin, peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin, epicatechin, caffeic acid, pelargonidin and malvidin. These flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants have proven health benefits through scavenging dangerous oxygen free radicals from the body.

• Cancer research on anthocyanins, where black choke berry preparations were first used to inhibit chemically induced cancer in the rat esophagus by 30-60% and of the colon by up to 80%. Effective at both the initiation and promotion/progression stages of tumor development, choke-berries are a practical research tool and hold a promising therapeutic source, since they contain highest amount of anthocyanins among native North American berries [J. Agric. Food Chem. 50 (12): 3495–500].

• They also rich in flavonoid anti-oxidants such as carotenes, luteins and zeaxanthins. Zeaxanthin has photo-filtering effects on UV rays and thus protects eyes from age related macular disease in the elderly (ARMD).

• Chokeberries are also good source of many antioxidant vitamins like vitamin-C, vitamin A, vitamin E, beta carotene and folate and minerals like potassium, iron and manganese. 100 g of fresh berries provide about 35% of daily recommended levels of vitamin C.

• The oxygen radical absorbency capacity or ORAC (measurement of antioxidant strength of food items) demonstrates choke berry with one of the highest values yet recorded -16,062 micro moles of Trolox Equivalents (TE) per 100 g.

Selection and storage

In the wild, chokeberries usually are picked up from their natural habitat and eaten directly after simple washing. While purchasing from the stores, choose berries that feature uniform surface and color. Remove any wet, mottled berries as they tend to spread the mold to other ones.

Berries can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. Wash them in cold water just prior to use to keep their texture intact.

Preparation and serving methods

Berries, in their natural form features very thin whitish waxy coat on them. Red berries are sweeter than black variety.

To wash, gently swish them in a bowl of cold water for few minutes. Then mop dry using soft cloth, taking care not to injure them. This method also bring them back to normal temperature  and enhances their taste and flavor.

• Chokeerries are great addition to ice cream tops, and fruit salads. 
• They are also used in juice, cakes, muffins, baby foods and pies.
• Choke berry syrup has been used in variety of recipes.

Safety profile

Choke berry contains oxalic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in some fruits and vegetables, which may crystallize as oxalate stones in the urinary tract in some people. It is therefore, in individuals with known history of oxalate urinary tract stones may not have to eat too much of these fruits and, especially vegetables belonging to the brassica family. Adequate water intake is advised in these individuals to maintain normal urine output. Oxalic acid also interferes with the absorption of minerals like calcium and magnesium.
(Disclaimer)

<<-Back to Fruit nutrition from Choke berry.  Click this link to visit an impressive list of all variety of fruits with complete illustrations of their nutrition facts and health benefits.

<<-Back to Home page.
Click this link to visit very informative pages on:-

• Fruits,


• Vegetables,


• Healthy herbs,


• Healthy spices,


• Nuts,


• Phyto-nutrients and


• Research articles on nutrition.

Custom Search