ChokeberryChokeberry extract may prevent weight gain in pre-diabetics. It may also influence the genes that control the development of fat tissue. This from a study with rats. Animals supplemented with chokeberry juice, a rich source of anthocyanins, experienced less weight gain than non-supplemented animals and had lower levels of fat—abdominal in particular—according to findings presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Experimental Biology 2010 meeting in Anaheim, CA. The researchers noted that human studies are needed to support the efficacy of chokeberries and their extracts, but the USDA’s Bolin Qin and Richard Anderson said their study "provides evidence that the fruit extract inhibits weight gain in insulin-resistant animals and that it modulates multiple genes associated with adipose tissue growth, blood glucose regulation and inflammatory pathways." The researchers fed 18 male rats a fructose-rich diet for six weeks to induce insulin insensitivity, or to make the animals pre-diabetic. The rats were then randomized to continue drinking either pure water or water supplemented with low or high levels of chokeberry extract for a further six weeks. The weight of the chokeberry-supplemented animals was found to be less than that of the controls, and the body fat was also lower in the berry extract-fed rats, said the researchers. Furthermore, the chokeberry-supplemented group was found to have lower blood glucose and reduced levels of plasma triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, compared with the control animals. At a genetic level, changes to the expression of genes linked to inflammation were noted. In many research projects around the world, reduction of inflammation helps prevent diseases such as heart disease cancer and stroke. When genes over-express they can cause the normal protective mechanism to fail and this can lead to chronic inflammation, which has been linked to a range of conditions like heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes and arthritis. Chokeberry is also heavy in anthocyanins which make it a good antioxidant. In the antioxidant fruit list by antioxidant capacity, also called ORAC, chokeberries rank 6th. This fruit also comes in a variety of colors so the darker the better. Black chokeberries have the most antioxidant activity. Dr.Gary D. Stoner, professor emeritus and former head of the Cancer Prevention Program at Ohio State University said about berries, “Our research tells us the anthoncyanins in the berries are pretty important and they are deserving of more research.” The medical evidence on berries as cancer fighters is still out, but Dr. Stoner says more people could benefit by eating them. Researchh states people with diets high in fruits and vegetables are healthier, and berries are a particularly tasty fruit. Dr. Stoner says frozen berries are a good option, because they won’t spoil, can be eaten year round and often are cheaper than fresh berries. Concentrated berry and fruit powdered drinks are also available at health food stores. Dr. Stoner says he starts every morning with a shake made with strawberries, blackberries and blueberries mixed with yogurt and milk. “We think for the average American, probably the consumption of three to four helpings of berries every week is a good thing,” he said. “We know berries have so many effects on processes related to cancer development. They are one of the food stuffs you probably should consider consuming every day, or at least a few times a week.” In accordance with the FDA these products are not intended to treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any diseases. Information on this site is given for educational purposes only and is not to replace the advice of your health care professional
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