Current knowledge of Aronia melanocarpa as a medicinal plant.
Abstract
Aronia melanocarpa, native to eastern North America, has become popular in Eastern Europe and Russia. Aronia melanocarpa fruits are one of the richest plant sources of phenolic substances, mainly anthocyanins--glycosides of cyanidin. Anthocyanins are water soluble pigments accounting for the dark blue and even black color of the fruits. Administered orally they can be absorbed as intact glycosides. Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice and anthocyanins derived from the fruits have been studied intensively for the last 15 years. Most of the effects of Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins are due to their high antioxidative activity. Our investigations have demonstrated a remarkable hepatoprotective, a very good gastroprotective and a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice in rats as well as a bacteriostatic activity in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and an antiviral activity against type A influenza virus. Research of other authors has demonstrated that Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins can normalize the carbohydrate metabolism in diabetic patients and in streptozotocin-diabetic rats, have an in vitro antimutagenic activity and exhibit a distinct immunomodulatory activity in human lymphocyte cultures and in patients with breast cancer, suppress the growth of human HT-29 colon cancer cells, inhibit the N-nitrosamine formation in rats and decrease the toxicity and cumulation of cadmium in liver and kidneys. Currently, there are no data in literature about any unwanted and toxic effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruits, juice and extracts.
Antioxidants temper the destructive power of free radicals, substances occuring naturally in our body but if produced in excess accelerate cell damage and destruction. Chinese research has shown a standardised dose of goji berry extract given over a month-long trial helped boost levels of protective anti-oxidant liver enzymes, and reduced by-products of oxidative damage in the blood by almost 10%. It’s worth noting that although this research is promising, the test samples of goji berries were highly purified to contain a standard amount of the active ingredient, ‘Lycium barbarum polysaccharides’, which may not reflect the same content of goji berries bought at the healthfood shop or supermarket.
Goji berries also have compounds rich in vitamin A that may also confer health benefits. Vitamin A and its derivatives may protect against skin damage, help maintain night- vision, and benefit the immune system.
Some researchers suggest that goji berry extracts may improve mood, and protect against age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, but there is no robust medical evidence to support these claims.
In summary, goji berries are a rich source of antioxidants with preliminary research showing some potential health benefits when taken in a standardised form - but there’s not enough sound evidence to recommend them solely for their health benefits.
Antioxidants are chemicals that are believed to help protect the body from the harmful effects of other chemicals called free radicals. These chemicals exist in the body's cells, but have been found to cause damage to the cells.
Antioxidants, including beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium are found mainly in fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables. Some people chose to take supplements as an additional source of antioxidants.
Antioxidants have been studied as helping to give some additional immunity against colds, as anti-ageing supplements and even as a protective effect against some cancers.
However, evidence about the protective health benefits of antioxidant supplements is mixed.
There is also some evidence that antioxidant supplements may be harmful in some cases.
The researchers concluded that there is not enough evidence to support people taking antioxidant supplements.
However, that doesn't mean eating food sources of antioxidants are bad for health or unlikely to be beneficial for health.
Whether it is antioxidants in fruit, veg and nuts, or other substances, a healthy balanced diet with 5-a-day portions of fruit and veg is recommended by the NHS.
Although certain foods have gained unofficial tags as 'superfoods', often because of their antioxidant content, most experts advise against eating too much of one kind of food in the hope of gaining health benefits from it. Instead, a healthy balance is usually preferred.
These are just a few facts surrounding the health giving qualities of Aronia and Goji berries and their benefits.
It delivers the hammer blow to the parts affected and also protects against further damage.
Terry Cope.
What are the benefits of goji berries?
The blue-red colours found in goji berries, blueberries, acai berries, cranberries, strawberries, and cherries are natural anti-oxidants which may help protect the body against oxidative damage. In addition Goji berries contain complex starches called Lycium barbarum polysaccharides which may benefit the immune function, and may reduce fatigue associated with living at high altitude.Antioxidants temper the destructive power of free radicals, substances occuring naturally in our body but if produced in excess accelerate cell damage and destruction. Chinese research has shown a standardised dose of goji berry extract given over a month-long trial helped boost levels of protective anti-oxidant liver enzymes, and reduced by-products of oxidative damage in the blood by almost 10%. It’s worth noting that although this research is promising, the test samples of goji berries were highly purified to contain a standard amount of the active ingredient, ‘Lycium barbarum polysaccharides’, which may not reflect the same content of goji berries bought at the healthfood shop or supermarket.
Goji berries also have compounds rich in vitamin A that may also confer health benefits. Vitamin A and its derivatives may protect against skin damage, help maintain night- vision, and benefit the immune system.
Some researchers suggest that goji berry extracts may improve mood, and protect against age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, but there is no robust medical evidence to support these claims.
In summary, goji berries are a rich source of antioxidants with preliminary research showing some potential health benefits when taken in a standardised form - but there’s not enough sound evidence to recommend them solely for their health benefits.
Antioxidants are chemicals that are believed to help protect the body from the harmful effects of other chemicals called free radicals. These chemicals exist in the body's cells, but have been found to cause damage to the cells.
Antioxidants, including beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium are found mainly in fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables. Some people chose to take supplements as an additional source of antioxidants.
Antioxidants have been studied as helping to give some additional immunity against colds, as anti-ageing supplements and even as a protective effect against some cancers.
However, evidence about the protective health benefits of antioxidant supplements is mixed.
There is also some evidence that antioxidant supplements may be harmful in some cases.
Antioxidant evidence
A major review of high quality research about the health benefits of antioxidant supplements was carried out for the Cochrane Library in 2012. It found that overall, people who took supplements were slightly more likely to die than people who weren't taking supplements. This applied to healthy people and those taking antioxidants who had health conditions.The researchers concluded that there is not enough evidence to support people taking antioxidant supplements.
However, that doesn't mean eating food sources of antioxidants are bad for health or unlikely to be beneficial for health.
Whether it is antioxidants in fruit, veg and nuts, or other substances, a healthy balanced diet with 5-a-day portions of fruit and veg is recommended by the NHS.
Although certain foods have gained unofficial tags as 'superfoods', often because of their antioxidant content, most experts advise against eating too much of one kind of food in the hope of gaining health benefits from it. Instead, a healthy balance is usually preferred.
These are just a few facts surrounding the health giving qualities of Aronia and Goji berries and their benefits.
It delivers the hammer blow to the parts affected and also protects against further damage.
Terry Cope.
It gives me great pleasure to write these articles which helps people.
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