Aronia Berry Is a Must for Your Heart
Contributed by Terry Talks Nutrition
Heart and cardio issues can seem insurmountable, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with specific conditions like hypertension, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, or are recovering from a heart attack. For instance, you may have major lifestyle and dietary changes to consider, or you may be worried about not being able to be as active as you’d like.
Fortunately, extracts from aronia berry (Aronia melanocarpa) can help. Aronia berries, are packed with anthocyanins—nutrients that reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, which are key mechanisms of virtually every disease, including heart disease.
For example, aronia berries can prevent the oxidation and inflammation that inflame arteries and make low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or ‘bad cholesterol’ more likely to clump together and form plaques that damage the lining of blood vessels, increase blood pressure, and disrupt blood flow.
A clinical study using an aronia berry extract standardized for a high concentration of the fruits’ polyphenols, found that patients saw a 22 percent reduction in cholesterol concentration, a 40 percent reduction in lipid peroxidation, the process that creates oxidative damage to blood vessels, and an improvement in blood flow in just two months.
As for regulating blood pressure, a clinical study requested that individuals with metabolic syndrome supplement with aronia extract for two months. By the end of the trial period, the results from aronia were incredibly positive, showing significant decreases in systolic (top) numbers and diastolic (bottom) numbers in blood pressure, averaging around 11 mmHg and 5 mmHg, respectively. It also reduced LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 12.5 mg/dl drop, plus a reduction in triglycerides of 28 mg/dl.
In other research, aronia reduced the free radical activity that oxidizes LDL cholesterol, and significantly increased levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, two of the body’s most powerful, natural antioxidants.
For even stronger results with aronia, consider combining the extract with a French grape seed extract that is standardized for readily absorbed oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). This strong duo can work together through a wide range of pathways to ensure better heart and whole-body health for years to come.
