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Choke Cherry

Also known as: Choke cherry, black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa, Prunus virginiana

Overview

Choke cherry (*Prunus virginiana*) is a fruit-bearing shrub native to North America, recognized for its rich content of polyphenols, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. It is primarily explored for its potential benefits in cardiovascular health, antioxidant support, and inflammation reduction. While *Prunus virginiana* is the true choke cherry, much of the scientific literature, particularly high-quality clinical trials, often refers to *Aronia melanocarpa* (black chokeberry), which is a distinct species but shares similar phytochemical profiles and is frequently conflated with choke cherry in research. The research maturity for these berries is moderate, with several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews available, especially for *Aronia melanocarpa*. The evidence quality varies, with some systematic reviews indicating low to very low certainty due to methodological limitations and heterogeneity across studies. Both are consumed as dietary supplements, botanical extracts, or polyphenol-rich fruit supplements.

Benefits

The primary benefits of choke cherry and black chokeberry are related to their cardiometabolic effects, largely attributed to their high anthocyanin and polyphenol content. A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs on *Aronia melanocarpa* found no significant overall effect on body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, or blood pressure in general populations. However, subgroup analyses revealed significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in individuals with baseline total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL. A significant systolic blood pressure reduction was also observed when the anthocyanin dose exceeded 50 mg/day. Conversely, an unexpected increase in fasting blood glucose was noted in participants aged 50 years or younger. The overall certainty of evidence for these findings was rated as very low due to methodological limitations and inconsistency across studies. Additional evidence suggests *Aronia melanocarpa* may improve blood pressure and cardiovascular risk profiles in clinical patients, supported by animal model data showing improved heart function. Limited suggestive evidence also indicates that chokeberry extracts may enhance stress resilience and longevity in model organisms, though human data are currently lacking. It is important to note that most high-quality clinical evidence pertains to *Aronia melanocarpa*, with specific RCT data on *Prunus virginiana* being sparse.

How it works

The beneficial effects of choke cherry and black chokeberry are primarily mediated by their rich content of anthocyanins and other polyphenols. These bioactive compounds exert potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects within the body. They are believed to improve endothelial function, which is crucial for healthy blood vessel dilation and blood flow, and reduce oxidative stress, a key contributor to various chronic diseases. Furthermore, these compounds may modulate lipid metabolism, helping to regulate cholesterol levels, and influence glucose homeostasis, contributing to blood sugar control. While the bioavailability of anthocyanins is moderate, their metabolism involves processing by gut microbiota and hepatic conjugation, allowing their active metabolites to exert systemic effects.

Side effects

Choke cherry and black chokeberry are generally considered safe for consumption, with no major adverse effects reported in the reviewed randomized controlled trials. Side effects, when present, are rare and typically mild. The literature does not document any significant drug interactions or contraindications for these supplements. While no specific safety warnings or severe adverse reactions have been identified, individuals with known allergies to plants in the Rosaceae family (which includes cherries) should exercise caution. As with any supplement, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting supplementation, especially for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Dosage

For cardiometabolic benefits, particularly blood pressure reduction, an effective anthocyanin dose appears to be greater than 50 mg per day. The duration of supplementation in studies has ranged from as short as two weeks to several months, suggesting that sustained use may be necessary to observe effects. Supplement forms vary, but standardized extracts with quantified anthocyanin content are preferable to ensure consistent dosing. There is no established maximum safe dose for choke cherry or black chokeberry, but doses used in clinical trials have generally been well tolerated. It is important to note that specific dosage recommendations for *Prunus virginiana* are less defined due to limited direct clinical research, with most guidelines derived from studies on *Aronia melanocarpa*. Always follow product-specific instructions or consult a healthcare professional for personalized dosage advice.

FAQs

Is choke cherry effective for lowering cholesterol?

Possibly, especially in individuals with normal baseline cholesterol levels. However, the evidence for this effect is currently considered to be of low certainty, primarily based on studies of *Aronia melanocarpa*.

Does it lower blood pressure?

Yes, particularly when consumed at anthocyanin doses exceeding 50 mg per day. The effects observed are generally modest, and this finding is mainly from research on *Aronia melanocarpa*.

Are there risks associated with choke cherry supplementation?

No significant safety concerns or major adverse effects have been reported in clinical trials. It is generally considered safe, with rare and mild side effects if any.

How soon can I expect to see benefits from choke cherry?

Studies on related berries show effects appearing from two weeks to several months of consistent use. Some benefits may require longer-term supplementation to become noticeable.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12073822/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis by Frumuzachi et al. (2025) investigated the effects of *Aronia melanocarpa* supplementation on cardiometabolic outcomes. While finding no significant overall effects, subgroup analyses revealed benefits on total and LDL cholesterol in specific populations and systolic blood pressure with anthocyanin doses >50 mg/day. The authors noted very low certainty of evidence due to methodological limitations.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1874&context=srhonors_theses – This systematic review, presented as a UConn thesis, summarized the blood pressure-lowering effects and cardiovascular benefits of *Aronia melanocarpa* in both clinical and animal studies. It supports the potential cardioprotective roles of black chokeberry, highlighting its positive impact on cardiovascular risk profiles.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40362797/ – This PubMed entry likely refers to the same Frumuzachi et al. (2025) systematic review and meta-analysis. It reinforces the findings regarding the cardiometabolic effects of *Aronia melanocarpa* supplementation, particularly the subgroup benefits on cholesterol and blood pressure, while emphasizing the low certainty of the evidence.