Common side effects of chokeberry

Aronia is a berry and very safe to use and consume. It has a long history in Europe as a medicinal plant and food. Can you experience side effects? It is rare, but some people may experience it, especially if they over-consume or are very sensitive. Here are some common side effects:

Stomach problems: Aronia can cause stomach problems such as gas, bloating or diarrhea, especially if you consume too much at once. This may be a consequence of the high levels of fiber and tannins found in the berries. We also think it’s a detox reaction. Aronia “speeds up” the stomach, liver and kidneys.

Allergic Reactions: In rare cases, people may experience allergic reactions after consuming chokeberry. Symptoms may include a rash, itching or swelling, especially if one is allergic to other berries or plants within the Rosaceae family. But this is extremely rare. We have probably never heard of such a case.

Blood pressure reactions: chokeberry has been shown to lower blood pressure, which can be problematic for people with low blood pressure or those already taking blood pressure medication. At the same time, this is one of the major benefits of chokeberry: it has a good effect on cardiovascular health.

Blood sugar: Aronia is considered good for balancing blood sugar levels. We recommend it especially for this, for example for diabetics. However, taking it on an empty stomach can lead to a slight drop in blood sugar. Feel free to take just enough if you have blood sugar problems.

Nausea: A typical sign that you’ve taken too much chokeberry is if you feel nauseous. It passes quickly and is not dangerous. Reduce the dose.

Who should be careful with Aronia?

There are certain groups of people who should be careful or consult a doctor before starting to consume aronia:

People with low blood pressure: As aronia can have an antihypertensive effect, people suffering from low blood pressure or taking blood pressure medication should pay attention.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women: There is not much research on aronia during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We usually say that it is perfectly ok to use Aronia during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but be moderate with the dose during pregnancy, it is not the right time for detox or extreme diets. However, a normal amount of chokeberry throughout this time should not be risky.

People with allergies: If you are allergic to other berries or plants, such as raspberries or strawberries, you should be extra careful about consuming aronia as it can trigger allergic reactions. If you are allergic to red berries, simply be careful with aronia. However, as I said, it is rare.

Can Aronia interact with medicines?

Aronia can interact with certain medications, which is an important factor to consider for those on medication. Here are some examples of medicines that can interact with chokeberry:

Blood pressure medication: Because aronia can lower blood pressure, it can enhance the effect of antihypertensive drugs.

Blood sugar lowering medications: Aronia can help balance blood sugar levels, which can affect how blood sugar lowering medications work, especially if you are already taking insulin or other medications for diabetes.

Blood thinners: As aronia has been shown to have some anticoagulant (blood thinning) effects, it may affect people taking blood thinners such as warfarin. For other, more modern, blood thinners, there is not considered to be such a risk.

How to reduce the risk of side effects

Although side effects are rare, there are some ways to reduce the risk of experiencing negative effects when using aronia:

Start with small amounts: If you are just starting to use aronia, start with small doses and increase gradually to see how your body reacts. This can help you identify any side effects before increasing your intake. We say this especially to those with detoxification or gastrointestinal problems. Aronia is good at reducing inflammation in the gastrointestinal system (IBS) and it stimulates liver activity, so if they have a liver with reduced capacity – step up your Aronia consumption slowly. For our Bulgarian juice we normally recommend 0.5 dl/day, but for those who are sensitive we recommend starting with half of this.

Is chokeberry safe?

Yes, Aronia is generally a safe and healthy product for most people.

We have been selling Aronia in various forms since 2014 (especially in the form of juice) and we find Aronia to be very safe and it is very rare that we hear about side effects. After all, it is just a berry, completely natural, however a very special berry with high content of polyphenols and other substances. Keep in mind that our Aronia juice is not a thirst quencher, we rather call it a traditional natural medicine. Read more about Aronia and its effects on health, for example in this short article: Aronia berries and your health

If you want to go deeper into Aronia and health, we recommend this article: https://4health.se/antioxidanternas-drottning-allt-om-aronia