Are there any side effects of aronia?

We have been selling aronia (chokeberry) since 2014 and do not consider it to have side effects in the usual sense. We use to say “it is just a berry”. But “aronia side effects” is a common search term, so let’s take a closer look at this.

Common side effects of aronia

Aronia is a berry and is 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 uncommon, but some people may experience it, especially if they take too much at once or are very sensitive. Here are some possible side effects:

Stomach problems: Aronia can cause stomach discomfort such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea 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 believe it is a detox reaction. Aronia “boosts” the stomach, liver, and kidneys. Aronian polyphenols are truly beneficial, but they are best in moderation, more is not better.

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

Blood pressure reactions: Aronia has been shown to lower blood pressure, which can be problematic for people with low blood pressure or those who are already taking blood pressure medication. At the same time, this is, of course, one of the great benefits of aronia berries: they have a positive effect on cardiovascular health.

Blood Sugar: Aronia is considered beneficial 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, take just the right amount if you have blood sugar problems.

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

Who should exercise caution when taking aronia?

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

People with low blood pressure: Since aronia may lower blood pressure, people who suffer from low blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medication should exercise caution.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women: There is not much research on aronia during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We usually say that it’s perfectly fine to use aronia during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, but be cautious with the dosage during pregnancy—it’s not the right time for a “detox.” However, consuming a normal amount of aronia throughout this period should not pose a risk.

People with allergies: If you have allergies to other berries or plants, such as raspberries or strawberries. If you’re allergic to red berries, just be careful with aronia. However, as I said, this is unusual.

Can aronia interact with medications?

Aronia may interact with certain medications, which is an important factor to consider for those taking medication. Here are some examples of medications that may interact with aronia:

Blood pressure medication: Since aronia can lower blood pressure, it may enhance the effects of blood pressure-lowering medications.

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

Blood-thinning medications: Since aronia has been shown to have certain anticoagulant (blood-thinning) effects, it may affect people taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin. For other, more modern, blood thinners, no such risk is considered.

How to reduce the risk of side effects

Although side effects are rare, there are a few ways to reduce the risk of experiencing adverse effects when using aronia:

Start with small amounts: If you’ve just started using aronia, begin with small doses and increase them gradually to see how your body reacts. This can help you identify possible side effects before increasing your intake. We say this especially to those with detoxification or gastrointestinal problems. Aronia is effective at reducing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (IBS) and stimulates liver function, so if, for example, you have reduced liver function, increase your aronia intake gradually. For our Bulgarian juice, we normally recommend 0.5 dl/day, but for those who are sensitive, we recommend starting with half of this, then possibly gradually increasing to the normal amount.

Adjust the amount/dose according to your body weight. Are you a woman weighing <55 kg? In that case, 0.25–0.3 dl per day of our Aroniada aronia (which is exceptionally rich in polyphenols) may be enough. Are you a 100 kg man? Then you should be able to start directly with 0.5dl/day without any problems.

If you use a different type of aronia (other than the one we sell at Valfrids), it is common for it to be lower in polyphenols, and therefore you may need to increase the dose to achieve the same health benefits. So the type of aronia you use and its form also matter.

Is aronia safe?

Yes, aronia is generally safe and healthy to use.

We have been selling aronia in various forms since 2014 (especially as juice), and we consider aronia to be very safe; we very rarely hear of any side effects. It is, after all, just a berry, completely natural, but a very special berry with a high content of polyphenols and other substances. Keep in mind that our aronia juice isn’t a thirst-quencher; we consider it more of a traditional natural remedy.

If you’d like to learn more about aronia and health, we recommend this article: https://4health.se/antioxidanternas-drottning-allt-om-aronia