A single dose of aronia berry extract was given to human participants to determine if it is well absorbed.
Before we describe the study we need to learn a little about aronia berry.
Aronia, also known as chokeberry, is native to North America and often found in wetland areas.
The rich blues and purbles found in aronia are from the anthocyanins and proanthocyanins naturally found in the berry. 
Research with aronia has found evidence it may be beneficial for high cholesterol, inflammation and reducing oxidative stress which is often associated with chronic diseases.
Here are results of more research and clinical trials evaluating antioxidants and anthocyanins.
The results of this clinical trial were published in the journal Food Chemistry.
Here are the study details:
– The participants consumed two capsules of aronia extract with water. This provided 500 mg of aronia extract.
– The dose used in this clinical trial was estimated to be equivelant to 250 mL of aronia berry juice.
– Blood samples were collected and analyzed at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hrs after taking the aronia extract.
– Urine samples were collected and analyzed at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 24 taking the aronia extract.
Are you familiar with anthocyanins or proanthocyanins? If not you can read about them here and here.
Click here to read more research about anthocyanins.
Here are the results of the study
– The maximum time to concentration of polyphenols in blood was ranged from 1 hr (e.g. protocatechuic acid) to 6.33 hrs (3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid).
– Urine samples were analyzed for polyphenols with time to maximum concentrations ranging from 4 to 6 hours.
Here is what the authors had to say
The current study indicates that anthocyanins in aronia extract are extensively metabolized.
Take away message
This clinical trial was able to show that a single dose of aronia berry extract in a capsule is absorbed. More specifically, the polyphenols and anthocyanins are detectable in blood and urine in just a few hours after taking the capsule.
The results of this study further emphasize that polyphenols are transformed to new chemical structures (e.g. new antioxidants) in the body. Often people will state polyphenols are poorly absorbed however the results of this clinical trial further emphasize that the polyphenols are metabolized (i.e. converted) into new polyphenols. These results are similar to another clinical trials that evaluated blueberries . In that particular study hundreds of new polyphenols (i.e. metabolites) were identified.
Are you familiar with anthocyanins or proanthocyanins? If not you can read about them here and here.
This means that the metabolites (i.e. new polyphenols) could be active and possibly be responsible for the health promoting properties of polyphenols. Here is some more research with polyphenols on reducing inflammation – click here.
Reference
Bioavailability of anthocyanins and colonic polyphenol metabolites following consumption of aronia berry extract. Food Chemistry. 2016 Nov 15;211:860-8.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Antioxidant, Clinical Trials, Food, Plant Extracts