Aronia berries, also known as chokeberries, have numerous healing abilities. Notably, they have a higher concentration of antioxidants than any other fruit, beating out cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, pomegranate, and others. Antioxidants protect your cells from the damaging effects of oxidation, boosting health and helping to protect against cancer. Certain agents in aronia, such as caffeic acid, cyanidin-3-galactoside, delphinidin, epicatechin, and malvidin have been studied for their health-promoting properties.  Combined, these agents are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and antidiabetic. But, there is so much more to these dark pigmented berries.

Here are just some of the amazing health benefits of aronia Berries:

• Promote good urinary tract health, which means less urinary tract infections (UTIs);
• Lower cardiovascular risk as they improve blood circulation and make blood vessels stronger. They improve elasticity of blood vessels and prevent their clogging, fight the formation of arterial plaque, and lower cholesterol;
• Help balance blood pressure;
• Help prevent and treat diabetes as they have been found to lower blood sugar levels and improve the body’s own natural production of insulin;
• Help with gut issues, including gastric ulcers and diarrhea
• Help reduce weight and body fat;
• And, last but not least, aronia berries are anti-cancer.

Several of the compounds in aronia are natural cancer fighters, especially against cancer of the breast, bladder, stomach, colon, lungs, ovaries, and skin. One study even found that when paired with curcumin, aronia could kill brain cancer cells. Researchers have found that these amazing berries slow the growth of cancer cells. Some studies also show that not only was growth slowed, but cancer cells were killed.[i]

The phenols in aronia berries (particularly proanthocyanins and anthocyanins) also disinfect the bloodstream and remove toxic substances from the body. Aronia has been found to help with herpes, and thus could be effective against the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) as well. EBV is known to be connected to the development of various cancers.

In one study, Caco-2 colon cells exposed to chokeberry resulted in a dramatic reduction in proliferation (30-40%) and viability was inhibited by around 20%.  A positive change in gene expression was also noted. The genes that changed were found to be ones related to cell proliferation, tumor migration, and colon carcinogenesis. [ii] Another study also found that aronia can up-regulate tumor suppressor genes for colon cancer.[iii]

Unfortunately, aronia berries do not taste very good.  They are sour and taste a bit like cranberries. But, the good news is that aronia is naturally pest-resistant and therefore, does not require the use of agricultural toxins.  What that means to you is you may not need to worry about unhealthy chemicals in the fruit. The berries themselves are more powerful than just the juice, so it is best to choose fresh or dried berries if you can find them. You can buy them in powder and supplement form as well.

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make better, healthier, non-toxic choices. She emphasizes the critical nature of addressing the root cause of cancer and not just its presenting symptoms (such as the tumor). Elyn specializes in understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunks the myths associated. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and was creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and is on the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Contact Elyn via her website. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone or in person.

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

[i] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6954696.stm

[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2474921/

[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=16860979