[ButterflyLion]

Aronia Berries: The Local Acai Berry Alternative

Packed with antioxidants and native to North America, Aronia berries are set to replace Acai berries as Mother Nature’s best superfood.

By Jennifer Kongs

September 2, 2010


With the growing craze for superfoods such as Acai Berries, Goji Berries and Spirulina, there is a new potential superfoods-list topper: Aronia berries (Aronia melanocarpa). With articles citing such claims as, “Acai is a berry that has been in the headlines, but research reveals that it takes a backseat to a berry called Aronia” (Iowa State University Extension) and “Aronia berries contain very high levels of antioxidants — higher than acai, grapes, elderberries, blueberries, and other fruits” (Kansas State University Extension). An ingredient in the popular MonaVie health tonic, Aronia berries are a great food to add to your diet.


The Iowa State University Extensions reports on the health benefits of Aronia berries: “Each tiny berry of Aronia melanocarpa contains a powerhouse of antioxidants. Studies done in the U.S. and around the world indicate that the Aronia berry can benefit cardiovascular health, the digestive system, liver health, and muscle recovery after workouts.”

More specific research into just what makes Aronia berries antioxidant powerhouses reveals that “ORAC, Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is the method that is used to measure the antioxidant capabilities of biological samples such as fresh fruits and vegetables. The ORAC value recorded for Aronia is about 58 percent higher in antioxidant levels than blueberries and over 90 percent more than cranberries … Proanthocyanidins have benefits that are directly related to protection against Cardiovascular disease. The concentration of PAs in the Aronia berry is among the highest reported value of any food.”What is especially exciting about the health benefits of the dark purple Aronia berry is how easy it can be grown in North America. Also known as chokeberries, they are a native species found from Nova Scotia all the way to Florida. ...

http://www.motherear...zw0z10zkon.aspx

[ButterflyLion]

This company sells 3 different varieties:

http://www.onegreenw...aronia&x=5&y=10

They sell some unusual plants and have a free print catalog you request.

[ivylove]

How about growing new body parts in your garden?

[ButterflyLion]

This is another company that sells a few different varieties of Aronia. They also have a free catalog of a lot of different types of unusual fruit:

http://www.raintreen...erries/Aronias/

[ButterflyLion]

This is an aronia blog:

http://aroniainameri...ia-berries.html