Aronia (Aronia Melanocarpa) is a berry fruit similar to blueberry. It is often called Siberian blueberry, although it originates from North America – probably because it was brought to Siberia long time ago or because it is resistant to very low temperatures, event to frost up to -45°C. It grows in shrubs and if there is enough space it can grow approximately 2 meters high. The edible and medicinal part of the plant is the fruit which has somewhat sharper taste than blueberry. It is interesting that aronia fruits are steady on the shrug, so that they can be picked even two months after ripening.
Aronia has an incredibly high level of antioxidants. Huge quantities of tannin and flavonoids, where anthocyanin has the major role, make aronia the strongest antioxidant, known so far. It is anthocyanins that affect the resistance of this plant and its incredible antioxidant power.
Phytotherapists all over the world claim that aronia is major and efficient body cleaner which prevents occurrence and development of cancer, stimulates circulation, purifies blood, relieves headache and migraine, lowers high blood pressure, it is good for stomach and intestines, it improves the immunity of the body, prevents virus and bacteria infections…because it has high concentration of antioxidants (tannin, biophenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin, catechin) – it is deservedly called “super fruit”.
Aronia is a strong antioxidant that prevents creation of free radicals and degeneration of healthy cells in human tissue and blood plasma and therefore slows down the process of aging. Anthocyanin, tannin, vitamins C and E are responsible for this. Apart from these vitamins, it is rich in A, B2, B6, B9 and very rare vitamin P. It is full of minerals – calcium, potassium, iron, molybdenum, manganese, phosphorus and iodine. It also comprises rare fruit sugar sorbitol. It has no natural enemies and it does not need to be sprayed, which is additional confirmation of its status as healthy food.