Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) berries, popularly known as “chokeberries” are packed with anthocyanin nutrients that reduce inflammation. Inflammation and oxidation are the two primary key reasons for virtually every disease, and especially implicated in heart disease. Inflammation and oxidation are two conditions that can create clogged arteries by inflaming arteries and making LDL cholesterol more “sticky” to form plaques that disrupt blood flow. But there may be natural help on the way with aronia berries.

In recent years, studies of the humble aronia berry have shown that it may help balance cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease, and protect the liver.

This recent analysis found that aronia consumption appeared to consistently reduce triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, and boost HDL levels.

While more laboratory work and clinical research needs to be done to discover all of this berry’s attributes, it may be that the chokeberry – a North American fruit that has been overlooked in the past – could be worth more than a second glance.

Abstract:

Rahmani J, Clark C, Kord Varkaneh H, et al. The effect of Aronia consumption on lipid profile, blood pressure, and biomarkers of inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2019 Jun 24. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6398. [Epub ahead of print]

Plant derivatives, such as anthocyanin-rich phytochemicals, have been reported to elicit a positive effect on lipid profile. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of Aronia consumption on lipid profiles, blood pressure, and biomarkers of inflammation in randomized controlled trials. A systematic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS up to December 2018. Seven studies were identified and analyzed in this meta-analysis. Our study found a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL; weighted mean difference [WMD]: 1.48 mg/dl, 95% confidence interval, CI, [1.29, 1.68]) and diastolic blood pressure (WMD: 2.55 mmHg, 95% CI [0.63, 4.47]) following Aronia consumption. There was no significant effect on systolic blood pressure and C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-1. Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed that cholesterol (WMD: -7.18, 95% CI [-13.90, -0.46]) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL; WMD: -5.84, 95% CI [-6.91, -4.77]) decreased more significantly in interventions less than 10 weeks in duration. Dose-response analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in triglyceride levels when dose of Aronia was increased to 300 mg/day. In conclusion, the results demonstrated a significant increase in HDL and reduction in total cholesterol and LDL among patients supplementing with Aronia.