Afronia

Where did Aronia berry come from?

Aronia berries are not some new fruit created in a laboratory. The berries themselves have existed for centuries. The plants are native to Eastern North America and they have been popular for some time in Russia and Europe, where they are used in juice and wine. However, until recently, their name was “the chokeberry.” It’s easy to see why, with a name like that, stores were not lining up to stock their shelves.

Several years ago, US farmer Ken Sailors decided that the aronia berry was highly unappreciated  and bestowed the name “aronia berry” on his crop. He began an active rebranding campaign for the fruit, and it has begun to receive wide recognition for its antioxidant value and farmers are now actively planting aronia berries in the Midwestern region of the US.

Why Antioxidants?

Aronia berries gained superfood status because of their dense Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), a measure of antioxidant capacity. They have a higher ORAC value than blueberries, acai berries and goji berries. The higher a food’s ORAC value, the better its ability to provide the health benefits of antioxidants that reduce free radicals in the body and are thought to have age and disease-fighting capabilities.

Aronia berries get their antioxidants from the high level of polyphenols they contain. Other antioxidants present in the berries include tannins, rutin, hesperidin and procyanidin. The USDA no longer lists ORAC values for foods, but before they removed that data, raw aronia berries were listed at an ORAC value of 16,062.  Nutritional experts recommend about 3,000-5,000 ORAC units daily, so around 30 aronia berries per day would deliver about 7,000 units, which far surpasses the minimum guidelines.

WHAT ROLE DOES AGRICHI GROUP PLAY?  

AGRICHI is motivated to grow and research the growth of these wonderful superberries now in  UGANDA, to assist with production and value addition to particularly children with sickle cell. Due to anonymity and privacy of our client, we have been able to prove that it has indeed helped a Ugandan boy who is now very strong and continuing to make incredible progress from sickle cell. We are seeking partnerships with various organization to help in the cause of providing availability of these superberries in powdered form and supply them to Uganda while we grow them in full term.

Medical News Today 

suggests possible health benefits of Aronia berries may help prevent colon

cancer growth, inhibit cancer cell growth in general, reduce cell damage due to breast cancer, contain

 

anti-diabetic properties, reduce liver damage symptoms, and aid in artery and blood vessel health.

 
   

Here are more benefits of the fruit

Aronia berries have come to be known as a superfood. The berries fend off disease like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, manage/control diseases like Sickle cell disease and provide several quality-of-life health benefits at the same time. The best part is that all these benefits can be achieved without any side-effects.

In fact, Aronia berries are particularly rich in antioxidants compared to other fruits, including elderberries, blueberries, and raspberries. The high amount of polyphenols, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanins in Aronia berries, protect the body from free radical damage, resulting in enhanced health and wellbeing. Aronia berries are also known to provide pain relief.

Aronia berries, also known as chokeberries, are packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin E, manganese, iron, dietary fiber, and folate.

A few of the known health benefits and the greatest impact on our health and wellbeing include enhancing brain health and boosting overall body immunity. More specifically, aronia berries are known to provide the following health benefits.

Aronia berries can protect the body against certain cancers, particularly breast and colon cancer. Colon cancer cells, for example, are reduced in size by up to 60 percent due to the presence of anthocyanins. Breast cancer patients who consumed berry extracts had lower levels of free radicals in their blood, which reduced oxidative stress on the body.

The antioxidant effects of chokeberry extract may also make your heart healthier, particularly lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are associated with metabolic syndrome. Even so, it is difficult to determine the correct dosage for each person since supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Furthermore, no adverse reactions were reported in people using the extract. Blood pressure was reduced in a small group of 25 people  who ingested 300 mg of the extract

Chokeberries are believed to prevent or treat diabetes by combating insulin resistance. In addition to boosting immune function and reducing inflammation in the body, these berries have been found to lower blood glucose levels and decrease obesity, as well as to boost immune function and reduce inflammation.

Aronia berries are rich in antioxidants, which contribute to their impressive health benefits. Unlike other berries, chokeberries are particularly abundant in polyphenols, which are known to prevent free radicals in the blood. In addition to boosting immune function in general, a study conducted on 30 patients taking anti-psychotic medications showed that Aronia berry extract reduced oxidative stress. Antibiotic activity and cancer cell growth as well as inflammation have both been shown to be lowered by Aronia berries.

Liver and other organ health is directly benefited by antioxidants, in addition to the indirect organ health benefits previously mentioned. A study found that Aronia juice alleviated the symptoms and severity of liver damage. A second study showed that the juice may prevent liver damage from occurring, while a third demonstrated that it may minimize stomach lining damage. Human research is required to substantiate these findings, but it’s a beginning.

High blood pressure occurs when the arteries contract, forcing blood to flow through our bodies under increased pressure. Arteries may have difficulty relaxing, which can hinder blood flow in the long term, resulting in coronary artery disease. According to a 2015 study and a 2013 study, Aronia berries can help relax this tissue lining, thereby lowering blood pressure.