Chokeberry or aronia (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott) is native to North America. The genus belongs to rose family (Rosaceae) and is classified in the berry fruits. It is usually cultivated as a shrub, rarely as a tree. Aronia is cold hardy and heat tolerant and has no special soil requirements. It can be used for raw consumption, however due to its astringency, it is mostly consumed processed. The berries can be found in various products (tea, syrup etc.). When ripe, the berries contain a good portion of health promoting compounds (phenolic acids, anthocyanins, tanins, vitamins etc.). Additionally, aronia is also cultivated as ornamental plant, due to its appealing orange-red colouration of leaves in the autumn. The aim of our study was to review the research on aronia, with the emphasis on its health promoting compounds. The sugars found in the berries are glucose, fructose and sorbitol. The predominant organic acid in the berries is citric acid; malic acid is present in smaller amounts. Vitamins that are presented in high amounts are vitamin C, B1, B2 and B6. The berries are a reach source of phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. It is their high content that makes aronia berries stand out from the berries group. The clinical studies report on reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer with the intake of aronia products.
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