Aronia ~ Popular Superberry is High in Antioxidants

by Julie Christine

“We don’t need medication, we need education.” ~ Dr. Robert O. Young

Golijska Aronia, a company known for its premium health beverage made from the Aronia berry, was the big winner in the Product of the Year Canada 2014 Awards. In fact, Golijska Aronia walked away with a whopping four awards in the competition. They won in the categories of: Natural Health, Healthy Beverage, Fruit Based Blends, and Beverage Packaging.

Over the last couple of years, consumers have become more and more educated about nutrition. They understand that antioxidants help fight off the free radicals that enter our bodies from the air, the water, and our food, and we are not able to avoid them. Because of its high content of free radical-fighting antioxidants, Aronia Berry has become a popular superfood.

“People are looking for natural and healthy alternatives when it comes to nutrition for the body,” commented Radomir Miljkovich, President of Golijska Aronia.”

The Aronia berry plant (melanocarpa) is native to eastern North America, and Europe also has a naturalized species of the plant. Aronia berries are a rich source of antioxidants and vitamin C. They can be eaten fresh when ripe and the flavour has a sweet and astringent taste – the resulting pucker explains the colloquial nickname, ‘chokeberry.’

This superberry works to jumpstart the immune system and rid the body of harmful toxins. According to testing done by the USDA, Aronia berries have twice as much antioxidant power as cranberries and four times as much as pomegranates, strawberries, and blueberries.

People interested in experiencing the healing properties of this superberry begin consuming one or two ounces of Aronia berry juice daily, for a period of one to three months. In many cases they experience significant health improvements.

Aronia berry juice is available in a natural form at very reasonable cost. Anyone can drink it, from kids to adults. Aronia berry is a food, like elderberries, so it can be used to make wine, jam, syrups, and tea. Aronia is easily integrated into smoothies, baked goods, toppings, breakfast cereal and many other treats. So it’s a food that is not only inexpensive but can be used in a variety of ways and it’s good for your body.

As for myself, I had a sleeping problem. On the recommendation of a friend, I started to take one ounce of Aronia juice and a pinch of Himalayan salt diluted in a glass of water every night before bedtime. The result? I could not believe that in a couple of days my sleep had dramatically improved. I make no health claims regarding Aronia; each person needs to draw their own conclusions from the research.

Aronia is currently sold at the Big Carrot Natural Food Market (Toronto), Ambrosia (Thornhill), Organic Garage (Oakville), and others, or purchase it online: www.aroniaberryinc.ca