Chokeberry is a herb that has not yet attracted a lot of attention. But, as this new study adds to the rapidly accumulating evidence for its cardiovascular benefits, it may finally be time to pay attention.
Chokeberry shrub, or aronia, is a member of the rose family. Its berries, like so many more famous berries, are loaded in antioxidant flavonoids: especially anthocyanins.
Chokeberry first attracted notice in 2007 when a study found that it significantly improved blood pressure, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides as well as glucose, homocysteine and fibrinogen, all of which could improve heart health (Pharmacol Rep 2007;59 (suppl 1):177-82).
The same year, chokeberry was found to improve the blood pressure lowering effect of statin drugs in people who had survived a heart attack (Atherosclerosis 2007;194:e179-e184).
Eight years later, another study found that chokeberry significantly improved triglycerides and reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (J Food Med 2015;18:1231-8).
Then a study tested chokeberry on people with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Metabolic syndrome is the constellation of any 3 of abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar. Chokeberry significantly improved waist size, blood sugar, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides (Mol Cell Biochem. July 2021;476(7):2663-2673).