A Remarkably Powerful Berry
Aronia berries (Aronia melanocarpa) may not be as well known as other superfoods, but they deserve a place of honor as one of the most powerful health defenders around.
Also known as chokeberries, aronia berries have a somewhat tart flavor, similar to a dry wine. Interestingly, that very tartness also indicates a high level of antioxidant anthocyanins, making aronia berries one of the world’s most valuable natural medicines.
Aronia Berries Stop Free Radical Damage
The capacity of aronia berries to stop free radical damage is almost literally off the charts compared to other fruits. In fact, their ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value—a measure of their ability to absorb free radicals that damage cells and accelerate aging—is an astounding 16,000 per 100 grams. That rating far exceeds even blueberries, which are incredibly well-known free radical fighters, but pale in comparison to aronia with an ORAC value of just 6,552 per 100 grams. That alone shows you the power of aronia berries.
But fighting free radicals is only the beginning of the story. Since oxidative damage and the inflammation it creates are primary causes of cancer, accelerated aging, cardiovascular disease, and virtually every other health issue, the right aronia berry extract is essential to help you live longer and healthier.
Leading Edge Studies Show Aronia Fights Cancer
The incredible power of aronia berry extract is dramatically illustrated in cancer research conducted by Ajay Goel, PhD. The work conducted by Dr. Ajay Goel and his team has found that aronia berry extract can stop cancer via multiple pathways and make chemotherapy drugs more effective.
Located at the Department of Medical Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics at the Beckman Research Institute City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, his work with natural compounds and their actions on cancer cells and tumor reduction has been at the forefront of natural medicine.
One of these studies found that when the aronia berry extract I recommend was paired with gemcitabine (a commonly used chemotherapy drug for pancreatic cancer), it reduced drug-resistant cancer cells by 75 percent.
Like pancreatic cancer, colon cancer is difficult to treat. It is typically discovered in an advanced state, chemotherapy drugs aren’t always effective because the tumors become resistant to medications, and the side effects of these drugs can be too severe for the patients to tolerate.
Fortunately, aronia berry extract may provide an answer here as well. In another scientific study, Dr. Goel and his team found that aronia berry extract ultimately caused cancer cells to self-destruct, while protecting healthy cells from damage.The aronia berry extract provided 6 times the cancer-stopping power compared to untreated tumor colonies.
While further research will undoubtedly unlock even more of aronia’s secrets, this is all exciting news. Because aronia berry extract appears able to target and destroy cancer cells without damaging normal cells and improve the effects of chemotherapy drugs, it could change the future of cancer treatment.
Clinically Verified Cardio Improvements
A clinical study using aronia berry extract showed a remarkable ability to prevent the oxidation and inflammation in arteries that makes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol” more likely to clump together and form plaques that block arteries and blood vessels. Researchers reported that patients receiving a standardized aronia berry extract (AB40) saw a 22 percent reduction in cholesterol concentration, a 40 percent reduction in lipid peroxidation (the process that creates oxidative damage to blood vessels), and an improvement in blood flow in just two months. As for regulating blood pressure, another clinical study examined individuals with metabolic syndrome who were supplemented with this same aronia berry extract for two months. By the end of the trial period, aronia berry extract significantly decreased both systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) blood pressure numbers, averaging around 11 mmHg and 5 mmHg, respectively. It also reduced LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 12.5 mg/dl and triglycerides by 28 mg/dl.
In other research, aronia berry extract increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels, reduced C-reactive protein levels, acted as a natural ACE inhibitor, and significantly increased levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, two of the body’s most powerful natural antioxidants. If your blood pressure or cholesterol numbers have been edging upward, I strongly recommend aronia berry extract as a first line of defense—it is a powerful nutrient for your heart and cardiovascular system.
Aronia Berry Extract for Astounding Good Health
Aronia berry extracts are strong sources of anthocyanins, which protect you in so many ways—I’ve only touched on a few here. Whether you or your family have concerns about cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, or cognition, aronia berry extract has shown astonishingly positive results. To keep yourself in top shape mentally and physically, it is one of the best botanicals
you can add to your daily regimen for outstanding health.
Gamma Cyclodextrin Boosts Aronia Absorption
While aronia berry extracts have been shown to be incredibly effective, I believe that they may work even better when combined with gamma cyclodextrin. This natural molecule transports ingredients inside of a water-soluble bucket-shaped structure. This makes its contents readily bioavailable, boosting the effectiveness of any nutrient it carries.
More Reasons to Love ARONIA BERRY EXTRACT
Protects Cognition & Memory
In an experimental model of Alzheimer’s disease, treatment with aronia berry extract reversed memory problems and returned memory and behavior to normal.
Preserves Muscle Mass, Helps You Stay Active
Staying active is key to aging well, and aronia berry extract can help. Scientific research shows that it enhances how muscles use energy, helps build muscle tissue, and energizes the mitochondria—the “engines” of muscle cells.
Improves Blood Sugar & A1C Levels
One clinical study found that in adults with type 2 diabetes, aronia berry extract (administered as a juice) reduced A1C levels by 20 percent and fasting blood sugar levels by over 30 percent.
Protects Vision
Aronia berry extract may protect against age-related macular degeneration. Laboratory research found that it strengthened the outer layer of the retina by 44 percent and decreased levels of damaging oxidative compounds.