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 concentration 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 antioxidants.
Latin name: Aronia melanocarpa Michx Eliot.
Botanical family: Rosaceae.
Part used: Fruit.
Recommended consumption
A dried aronia berry is a dried fruit. It therefore contains more sugar than a fresh Aronia Berry; therefore, the daily consumption recommendations are defined. As a classic treatment or for pleasure, 20 to 30 g of dried Aronia berries per day, or 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 benefits of Aronia berries
Aronia berries can complement your healthy and varied diet.
1.EYE SYSTEM
The anthocyanins contained in Aronia berries help maintain good vision.
2. 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.
3. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Through its fiber content, Aronia berries stimulate intestinal transit.
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, which 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.