Aronia Berry (Aronia melanocarpa L.) as a Bioactive Treasure: Insights into Its Health-Promoting Effects

Black aronia or chokeberry ( Aronia melanocarpa L.) is a shrub plant of the family Rosaceae . Its fresh fruits are rarely consumed due to their bitter taste from high polyphenol content. However, thanks to bioactive components such as proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavonols, and flavanols, black aronia has positive effects on health and chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. It has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers. Compared to other berries, it has higher total polyphenol and anthocyanin content and stronger antioxidant capacity. Thus, it may protect against some cancers and slow aging by reducing cellular damage. The juice, pomace, and leaf extracts also show potential health benefits. Although black aronia consumption may positively affect human health, more comprehensive clinical studies are needed to determine clear causal relationships. This review presents its bioactive components and health effects to guide future research. • Aronia melanocarpa L. is rich in polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, contributing to its strong bioactivity. • It exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects through diverse molecular pathways. • Novel strategies such as nanoencapsulation and fermentation enhance the stability and bioavailability of aronia polyphenols. • Aronia-derived products may have potential as functional ingredients in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.