aronia melanocarpa

Aronia melanocarpa, commonly known as black chokeberry or aronia berry, is a fruit-bearing shrub native to North America and now cultivated in Europe. The berries are rich in polyphenolic compounds—especially anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins—which confer potent antioxidant properties. These bioactive components are associated with a range of health benefits including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiatherosclerotic (heart-protective), hypotensive (blood pressure-lowering), antiplatelet effects and neuroprotective activities[1][3][4][5]. Mechanistically, the polyphenols act as antioxidants by neutralizing free radicals and modulating cellular signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cell proliferation. Aronia extracts have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth via mechanisms such as upregulation of tumor suppressor proteins (e.g., CEACAM1), inhibition of amino acid transporters like SLC1A5 in cancer cells, suppression of mTOR phosphorylation pathways involved in cell growth/proliferation[3], and modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling[3]. The berries also support cardiovascular health by improving vascular function and reducing blood cholesterol/blood pressure[2][4]. Aronia is used both as a food ingredient (juices/jams) and dietary supplement.

Other names

black chokeberrychokeberryaronia berry