Aronia Berry Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

The aronia berry (Aronia melanocarpa) is the fruit of the small Aronia tree that is native to Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States. The fruit is also sometimes called chokeberry or black chokeberry. It is often confused with a similar fruit called the chokecherry.

Aronia berries provide some fiber but a single serving is not a good source of any vitamins or minerals. Even though many describe aronia berries as being too astringent to eat, the fruit is still consumed in foods and beverages for its purported health benefits. While there are some studies supporting the use of aronia berries for better health, not all of the health claims are supported by science.

Aronia Berry Nutrition Facts

A one-quarter cup serving (12g) of microdried aronia berries provides 45 calories, 0g of protein, 10g of carbohydrates, and 0g of fat. This nutrition information is provided by the USDA. The USDA only provides nutritional information for the fruit in microdried and juice form, not for fresh berries.

Carbs

Most of the calories in a quarter-cup serving of aronia berries are carbohydrates. You'll consume 10 grams of carbs in a serving. Three grams of those carbohydrate calories are naturally occurring sugars and 3 grams are fiber.

Fats

There is no fat in a quarter cup serving of aronia berries.

Protein

Aronia berries are not a source of protein.

Vitamins and Minerals

According to USDA data, aronia berries provide 20mg of calcium or 2% of the daily value (DV) provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A serving also provides 0.36mg of iron, also 2% of the daily value.

Other research sources suggest that aronia berries provide vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B, and vitamin K, although specific amounts are not indicated. According to one published report, the composition and health value of this fruit depends on many factors, including the variety, maturity, environmental and climatic conditions present where the berries are grown.

Calories

A one-quarter cup serving (12g) of microdried aronia berries provides 45 calories.

Health Benefits

Aronia berries are commonly eaten as a food in Russia and parts of Eastern Europe. Consumers in other parts of the world consume the berries in different forms to manage health conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other conditions. But scientific evidence to support these uses is limited.

Potential for Disease Prevention

Aronia berries are an excellent source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, such as phenolic acids (neo chlorogenic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonols). Polyphenols are known to promote good health in a variety of ways.

These compounds may help protect the body against certain diseases including metabolic disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. However, scientists also acknowledge that the polyphenols in aronia berries vary depending on the particular cultivar, level of fruit ripeness, the growing locality, and climatic conditions.

It is also not known how much of the polyphenols are absorbed by the body when aronia berries are consumed. So while there is potential for the fruit to provide certain health-boosting properties, it is not known if they have a measurable impact on any disease.

May Decrease Blood Pressure

Scientists are trying to understand how aronia berries may be able to aid in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). A promising animal study published in 2017 suggested that active substances in aronia berries may have a positive effect on blood pressure.

Studies showing this effect in humans are limited. One study conducted in 2007 showed that an aronia berry extract combined with statins helped reduce blood pressure in patients after a heart attack.

An older study demonstrated a similar effect in patients with a history of heart attacks. But both studies had limitations and more recent studies haven't been conducted. Further studies need to be undertaken before scientists can know for sure if or how consuming the berries can impact blood pressure.

May Help Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

There is limited evidence that drinking aronia berry juice may help to prevent urinary tract infections in older patients. In one study, residents of a nursing home were followed for six months. One group consumed aronia berry juice for three months, then a placebo for the next three months.

A second group did the reverse, consuming a placebo for three months and aronia berry juice for the following three months. Scientists saw a significant decrease in urinary tract infections in both groups during the period when they consumed aronia berry juice.

May Help Lower Cholesterol

Some preliminary evidence suggests that aronia berries may help lower LDL cholesterol. But the limited evidence has not been consistent and only a few trials have been conducted on humans.

For example, one older study conducted on men with mild high cholesterol showed that drinking aronia berry juice (250 mL daily) might decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels when compared to baseline. But the results were not consistent from one phase of the trial to the next. Also, the study was limited; there were only 35 participants and they were only followed for six weeks.

A 2017 study suggested that aronia berries can help to lower total and LDL cholesterol. The study was limited to just 49 participants over a 12-week span and all of the participants were former smokers.

However, a 2019 study could not confirm these results. In a four-week intervention where volunteers consumed chokeberry juice (100 mL per day) with a high dose of polyphenols, researchers did not see a reduction in total or LDL cholesterol.

May Assist With Diabetes Management

Several studies have examined aronia berries, aronia berry juice, or aronia berry extract and the management of diabetes. Authors of one large research review concluded that the berries "effectively improve glucose metabolism, so they seem to be a good choice in the treatment of diabetes." However, most of the studies cited to were in vitro studies, not research conducted on humans.

One other review published in Frontiers in Nutrition proposed that aronia berries have antidiabetic properties. Authors of that study cited both human trials and rodent studies to support their conclusion, although human trials were limited.

Allergies

Reports of an aronia berry allergy are lacking. However, there are reports of cross-reactivity between other types of berries including blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. It is not known if someone who is allergic to those berries might experience a reaction when exposed to aronia berries.

Both blackberries and aronia berries are members of the Rosaceae family, so there is potential that those who are allergic to blackberries may experience a reaction when consuming aronia berries.

Adverse Effects

There are limited studies investigating the safety of aronia berries. Experts advise that consuming the berries orally is possibly safe. According to the Therapeutic Research Center, capsules and juices containing chokeberry have been used with apparent safety in clinical studies lasting up to 90 days.

There is not enough evidence to indicate an appropriate dose of aronia berry or aronia berry juice. Amounts ranging from 100 milliliters to 250 milliliters of juice have been studied without adverse events or side effects.

There is a possibility that aronia berry interacts with certain medications including diabetes medications, medications that slow blood clotting, medications that change the liver, and Yondelis (trabectedin). Always speak with your healthcare provider if you are on a medication and are unsure about a potential interaction.

Varieties

The ‘Autumn Magic’ and ‘Iraqis Beauty’ are the two most commonly sold aronia berry shrubs in the United States. ‘Viking’ and ‘Nero’ are popularly grown in Russia for commercial fruit production. Berries from these shrubs share a similar look and taste.

The chokeberry and aronia berry shrub are the same thing. However, they are often confused with chokecherry, a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks. The distinction is important because chokecherry is toxic to animals with segmented stomachs (such as horses and cattle).

When It’s Best

Aronia berries are not commonly found in most grocery stores, although specialty markets are starting to stock them more often. Most people that consume them grow their own aronia berry bushes or buy them online. The berries ripen in the late summer or early fall.

Aronia berry products are more often found in health food stores and other markets. You may find fruit syrups, fruit juice, tea, spreads, jellies, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. Aronia berry chews, powders, supplements, and dried or dehydrated aronia berries are also available in stores and online.

Storage and Food Safety

Store aronia berries like you would store any other berry. Store them at room temperature if you plan to eat them within a few days. Or if you plan to save then for a week or so, place them in the refrigerator. Rinse the berries just before consuming them.

How to Prepare

Aronia berries can be eaten fresh, dried, or frozen. They can also be used in recipes like you would use any other berry: baked into pies, made into jam, or tossed into muffins, bread, or other baked goods.

Juice extracted from aronia berries can be used to make dessert toppings, gravy, candy, salsa, barbecue sauce, ketchup or other condiments. Some also use it to flavor yogurt, sorbet, ice cream, milk, or vinegar.

Keep in mind that these berries have a distinct taste that many find unappealing. They are most often described as being astringent. The fruit is known to be high in tannins, which can make your mouth pucker when you eat them.

But others find them to be pleasant and mild. They have a high sugar content when they are fully ripe. Many people choose to pair aronia berries with other fruits, such as blueberries or bananas.