ARONIA
The black aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) or chokeberry, is one of the fruits of the forest with the highest content of total phenolic compounds (commonly called antioxidants). It has high concentrations of phenolic acids (caffeic, coumaric, chlorogenic...), condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) and flavonoids such as anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanones, catechins and chalcones. All this means that the aronia is one of the fruits with the highest antioxidant power that exists, always occupying the top positions in the ORAC classification (classification that measures the antioxidant power of the fruit).
In addition, it is low in calories and provides us with a high concentration of fiber, Vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese. It is also a rich source of folic acid, iron, vitamin A and vitamin E and in smaller amounts it also provides carotenoids, pectins, organic acids and carbohydrates (sugars).
The aronia has 1,480 mg of anthocyanins per 100 grams of fresh fruit, a real outrage!
It is this very high concentration of anthocyanins, only equaled by the blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and the black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), which gives it incredible properties and benefits for our health. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants (which the plant creates to defend itself against ultraviolet radiation) and which give the aronia its black color.
Chokeberry fruits have an antioxidant power of 16,062 micromoles of Trolox equivalent (TE), while other forest fruits such as blackcurrant do not exceed 8,000.
Let us remember that aging is caused by the increased oxidative effect, which wears out the means to antagonize. With age, these anti-oxidant mechanisms are lost, due to the wear and tear of genes, which is why after the age of 40 it is important to use powerful anti-oxidants that are our ally
In addition to their strong antioxidant and antiradical activity, they also have gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antimutagenic, and anti-inflammatory properties.