Chokeberry (Aronia)
(Lat. Aronia Melanocarpa, family Rosacae)
Originally from North America. It came to Europe during the 19th century and is cultivated in large scale in for instance Russia and Bulgaria. The berries are used for juice, lemonade and jam.
Chokeberry is one of nature's strongest antioxidant and it contains an unusual high amount of Bioflavonoids and 20 times more vitamin P than apples or oranges. Vitamin P can protect from atherosclerosis, strengthen the small capillaries and is antiseptic.
This makes chokeberries and chokeberry juice usable to prevent for instance high blood pressure and urinary tract infection.
Chokeberries are also rich in vitamin A, E, B2 and C. Due to low content of sucrose and a high content of fructose, chokeberries can also be suitable for diabetics. Chokeberries contains 1,5 mg% iron and 3 to 5 times more iodine then strawberries, raspberries and apples. Chokeberries are also recommended for problems with the thyroid, bronchitic problems, anemia, allergies and rheumatism.
The chokeberry also helps the body to absorb vitamin C, it's therefore recommended to mix chokeberry with other juices rich in vitamin C such as Sea-Buckthorn, rose hips, black currant and so on.
The berry keeps its nutrition when processed and can enrich other products such as jelly, marmalade, wine and liqueur.