CHOKEBERRY: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings

CHOKEBERRY

Other Names:

Aronia arbutifolia, Aronia Berry, Aronia melanocarpa, Aronia nigra, Aronia prunifolia, Black Apple Berry, Black Chokeberry, Purple Chokeberry, Red Chokeberry, Wild Chokeberry.

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CHOKEBERRY Overview Information

Chokeberry is a fruit that comes from the aronia shrub. It's eaten as food in Russia and parts of Eastern Europe. It's also used in traditional medicines.

Chokeberry is high in antioxidants, fiber, and other chemicals. These chemicals might help protect the heart and blood vessels and reduce swelling and blood sugar levels.

People use chokeberry for heart disease, athletic performance, cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

CHOKEBERRY Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Ineffective for:

Heart disease. Taking chokeberry by mouth doesn't lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or blood sugar levels in people with or at risk for heart disease.

There is interest in using chokeberry for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

CHOKEBERRY Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth Chokeberry extract and chokeberry juice are possibly safe for most adults when used short-term. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include constipation, diarrhea, or nausea.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chokeberry is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

CHOKEBERRY Interactions

Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with CHOKEBERRY
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Chokeberry might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CHOKEBERRY
Chokeberry might lower blood sugar levels. Taking chokeberry along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with CHOKEBERRY
Chokeberry might slow blood clotting. Taking chokeberry along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Trabectedin (Yondelis) interacts with CHOKEBERRY
Trabectedin is changed and broken down by the liver. Chokeberry might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down trabectedin. Taking chokeberry along with trabectedin might increase the effects and side effects of trabectedin.

CHOKEBERRY Dosing

Chokeberry juice has most often been consumed by adults at amounts of 200-500 mL daily for up to 12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View clinical references for this vitamin or supplement Sources

References:

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