Chokeberry: health benefits and harms

Contents

History of appearance in nutrition
Composition and calories
The benefits of chokeberry
Harm of chokeberry
Application in medicine
Application in cooking
- Aronia jam
- Muffins with chokeberry
How to choose and store chokeberry
Popular questions and answers

From the Greek, the generic name of chokeberry means “benefit”. Together with an expert, we found out whether the berry really has the properties attributed to it

Outwardly, chokeberry berries resemble currants or blueberries. But they belong to another family: to the genus Aronia. Shrubs begin to actively bloom in mid-summer, and stop bearing fruit by the end of autumn. The chokeberry has a pronounced taste that cannot be confused with any other. The fruits are tart and viscous, but at the same time have a pleasant sourness. Due to the composition rich in vitamins and minerals, chokeberry is considered one of the most useful berries that have a positive effect on health.

History of appearance in nutrition

Aronia first appeared in North America, and there the plant began to be used as an ornamental. Only at the beginning of the last century, botanists discovered the unusual benefits of chokeberry when crossed with other species. By themselves, representatives of the species also carry a lot of benefits, but when hybridized, they turn out to be many times more valuable for the body.

Chokeberry is a hybrid of chokeberry and mountain ash, obtained by V.I. Michurin at the end of the 1930th century. Initially, the culture was not seen as fruitful. And in the XNUMXs, in our country, they began to study it as a frost-resistant plant: they paid attention to the beneficial properties of the fruits, the likelihood of their use for the treatment of various diseases.

Composition and calories

The berries of chokeberry contain a large amount of B vitamins, which have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system. The fruits are rich in vitamins A, K, E and C. The record among other berries is the content of vitamin P, which is responsible for the condition of the capillaries. It also helps protect the body from colds and inhibits the reproduction of tumor cells.

Trace elements and minerals in chokeberry are also represented almost in full composition. Iron and fluorine, magnesium and calcium, potassium and molybdenum: small-sized berries are a real storehouse of nutrients. They also contain a sufficient amount of iodine, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Those fruits that are grown near the sea will be especially valuable: such soil contains even more iodine. (one)

Chokeberry, like other berries, is rich in tannins and pectin. This makes it beneficial for the digestive system.

Caloric value on 100 g	55 kcal
Proteins	1,5 g
Fats	0,2 g
Carbohydrates	10,9 g

Despite the sweetness, the berries are not high in calories at all. 100 grams contains only 55 kilocalories. In addition, chokeberry, like blueberries, can be eaten in limited quantities by people with diabetes.

The benefits of chokeberry

This berry is primarily recommended for those who have high blood pressure or problems with the cardiovascular system: it strengthens the walls of blood vessels, in the long term reducing the risk of developing vascular insufficiency.

Chokeberry helps to increase the acidity of gastric juice, thereby preventing the occurrence of diseases of the digestive system. And the pectin and dietary fiber in the composition are useful for maintaining the intestinal microflora.

– The benefits of chokeberry in its richness in vitamins: potassium, which is primarily necessary for the correct heart rhythm. Rowan has a lot of tannins, so it is tart and slightly astringent in taste. Tannins help to cope with diarrhea, have a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect, – complements gastroenterologist Inna Mazko.

A study in rats showed that chokeberries had an effect on preventing colon cancer in rats. The scientists noted that the fruits can also influence the reduction in the growth of tumor cells in other types of cancer. But so far there is no exact information that would speak of a similar effect of the berry on the human body. Research will continue. (2)

The fruits also have a positive effect on the functioning of the liver. In addition, they are used as a choleretic agent. (3)

The benefits of chokeberry for women

With the development of breast cancer, chokeberry is often included in the diet. This can be done not only in the early stages of diseases, but also during treatment. Polyphenols, which are found in large quantities in fruits, have a positive effect.

You can also eat chokeberry during pregnancy: vitamins and trace elements support not only the body of the expectant mother. They also help the fetus to develop properly.

The benefits of chokeberry for men

With regular consumption of berries in food, testosterone levels are maintained at the required levels. Chokeberries help lower blood pressure and normalize cholesterol levels.

Fruits improve blood circulation: it helps with the development of erectile dysfunction in men.

The benefits of chokeberry for children

Iron in the composition of chokeberry is especially important for children. Their body develops at a rapid rate, so the inclusion of the fruits of this berry in the diet will promote active growth.

Berries improve blood clotting: if a child’s wounds do not heal for a long time, you can try to cook compote from chokeberry and other fruits. They help repair cellular damage, and are effective in combating inflammatory processes in the body. Do not forget about chokeberry in the cold season.

It is better to introduce berries into the baby’s diet after two years – this should be done gradually in case of a possible food allergy.

Harm of chokeberry

There is an individual intolerance to chokeberry: an allergy can manifest itself in different ways. Therefore, with its manifestations, it is worth refusing to eat berries.

Caution should be taken with berries for people with diseases of the digestive system in the stages of exacerbation: for example, with an ulcer or gastritis. It is not recommended to eat fruits for those who suffer from low blood pressure.

Application in medicine

Anti-inflammatory substances that can lower blood pressure levels help with hypertension. With chronic inflammation in the body, there may be problems with the permeability of blood vessels and capillaries. In this case, chokeberry berries help to deal with emerging problems. (four)

The good functioning of the liver is important at any age, and for its stable work it is necessary to include chokeberry in the diet. But it is important to remember that with an excessive amount of berries can have the opposite effect. Therefore, a day you need to eat no more than 250 grams.

– Chokeberry, like other berries, is a prebiotic: food for beneficial bacteria in the intestines. This helps him to work properly. Also, the berry has a diuretic, decongestant and hypotensive (helps to reduce high blood pressure numbers) action. It is important not to overestimate the medicinal properties of berries. In the treatment of diseases, including hypertension, stool disorders, you need to follow the doctor’s recommendations, says gastroenterologist Inna Mazko.

Aronia fruits have an antioxidant and strengthening effect as they reduce free radicals. These are oxidants whose activity must be neutralized. In the composition of chokeberry there are a number of substances that cope with this task. (5)

These berries can be included in the diet for anemia, asthenia, hypovitaminosis. They have a general strengthening effect on the body and are good at fighting viral diseases.

Application in cooking

The first thing that comes to mind at the mention of this berry is jam or jam. Below we will share a proven recipe for jam, but it is important to note that you can cook a lot of delicious and simple dishes from chokeberry. It interestingly reveals itself in baking, giving it sourness and moderate sweetness. And it can also serve as an ingredient in smoothies – a healthy drink with a good composition. (6)

Aronia jam

It tastes like cherry jam, although there is much less acidity in this. Great for cold winter gatherings over a cup of tea

Black chokeberry berries	1 kg
Sugar	1,2 kg
Water	250 ml

Rinse the berries well under cool water and drain them in a colander. Pour a glass of water into the pot where the jam will be made. Put the pot on the fire and bring the water to a boil. Transfer the berries to a bowl and stir gently. Remove them from the heat and leave for 5-7 minutes.

Put the pan back on the fire and add the sugar. Make medium heat and bring to a boil. Boil for 10-15 minutes, stirring lightly. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 3 hours.

Put the pan on the fire, bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes. Pour the still hot jam into sterilized jars and twist tightly.

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Muffins with chokeberry

Try to cook them and give them to your friends to try: let them guess which berry is inside

Chokeberry Rowan	150 g
Milk	145 ml
Egg	3 piece.
Sunflower oil	140 ml
Sugar	90 g
Wheat flour	200 g
Baking powder	7 g
Powdered sugar	2 Art. spoons

Pour well-washed berries with milk at room temperature. Puree the mixture with an immersion blender.

In a separate bowl, beat eggs with sugar, pour oil into them and mix well. Combine flour and baking powder in another bowl, sift them. Add dry ingredients to liquid ingredients and stir.

Pour the puree into the dough, mix. You will need molds for baking. Pour the dough over them and place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 25 minutes.

How to choose and store chokeberry

When buying berries, you should pay attention to their appearance: they should not be crumpled, dull and soft. Overripe, as well as unripe, chokeberry fruits can adversely affect the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Cooking jam from them and cooking dishes is also not worth it.

You can keep fresh berries for a short time. It is better to put the chokeberry in the refrigerator immediately after collection or purchase. When picking berries, you need to pay attention to one point: it is important not to pick each berry individually, but whole bunches on twigs. So they will last longer.

Chokeberry can be dried or frozen. Both dried and frozen, it can be included in the diet. The berries are dried in an oven, and for freezing they are laid out in bags and sent to the freezer.