Just Add Aronia Berries! Top Health Benefits, Nutritional Info, Recipes and Interesting Facts about the Choke Berry (aka Aronia Berry)

 
The Just Add Good Stuff INFOGRAPHIC SERIES introduces our Aronia Berry Infographic. We LOVE aronia berries! We hope you like it!

 

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

 

Just Add Aronia Berries! Commonly found wild in swamp and woodland areas, the aronia berry or ‘chokeberries’ pack a powerful range of antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients. The aronia berries are gaining ground on the more popular açaí berry from the Amazon and the elderberry from Europe and is poised to hit the world class super berry spotlight soon. Here is the Just Add Good Stuff Aronia Berry Infographic:

 

 

TOP 10 Health Benefits of Aronia Berries as described in the Just Add Good Stuff Aronia Infographic:

1. aronia berry is high in anthocyanins (antimutagenic & anti-cancer agents)
2. rich in antioxidants that protect cells & are anti-inflamatory
3. chokeberries slow the aging process to keep us healthy & young
4. aronia reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stress
5. anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-diabetic compounds
6. choke berry fights bladder, breast, colon, lung, ovaries and skin cancers
7. aronia berries help maintain robust intestinal and digestive health
8. chokeberry helps fight Crohn’s disease, PMS, herpes and inhibits HIV
9. contains caffeic acid, delphinidin, epicatechin and malvidin
10. prelim studies show aronia slowing growth of glioblastoma

 

Aronia/Chokeberry Nutrition Facts as described on our Choke Berry Infographic

• Serving Size = 1 cup
• Calories = 83
• Calories from Fat = 4 g
• Total Fat = 0.48 g
• Cholesterol = 0 mg
• Sodium = 1 mg
• Potassium = 112 mg
• Total Carbohydrate = 21.01 g
• Dietary Fiber = 3.5 g
• Sugars = 14.44 g
• Protein = 1.07 g
• Vitamin A = 2% RDI
• Vitamin C = 24% RDI
• Calcium = 1% RDI
• Iron = 2% RDI

 

Healthy Aronia Berry Recipes on our Chokeberries Infographic

1. Aronia Berry/Acai Berry dessert balls
2. Mixed Berry Flax & Hemp bread
3. Aronia Berry Quinoa muffins

* All of our recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan! Click here for more recipes!

 

Things You May Not Know About Aronia Berries/Chokeberries as described on our Just Add Good Stuff Infographic

• Naturally PEST-RESISTANT & doesn’t require agricultural toxins!
• Greater ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS than cranberry, goji blueberry, cherry, pomegranate & mangosteen
• Native of eastern North America in swampy woodland areas
• Comes in 3 COLORS: red, purple and black-purple
• It’s now cultivated in North America, Europe and even Russia
• Also used as attractive ORNAMENTAL PLANTS
• Aronia can be used to make wine, jam, syrup, juice, and tea
• Aronia juice is astringent, not sweet
• Initial research has linked aronia to reducing risk of cancers, cardiovascular disease, chronic & eye inflammation, liver failure

 

The Just Add Good Stuff Aronia Berries infographic (we also call it our Chokeberry infograph) talks about general facts and nutritional details. For more info about the health benefits and nutritional information, please contact us and we will find out more from licensed dieticians and medical science professionals. It is our goal to provide the best information possible and to help inspire you to become more healthy through diet, nutrition and fitness. The Aronia infographic will be updated whenever necessary, as studies and clinical research provides us with more insight into the health benefits of Aronia/Choke Berry which would affect our Top 10 Aronia Berry health benefits. In addition, we constantly experiment with uses of Chokeberries in various dishes, so our recipes will also reflect that. Lastly, if we find any more interesting facts and figures about aronia in general, we will also update the ‘Did You Know?’ section of our Just Add Good Stuff Aronia Infographic.

The information on this infographic is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended to nor should it be a substitute for advice, consultation or visits to your health care provider.
‘Nutrition Facts’ provided by FatSecret.com and verified by Just Add Good Stuff.

BLACK is the new GREEN! 6 Amazing BLACK Superfoods!

 
If you asked most people what color foods contain the most nutrients, vitamins and minerals, they will point you towards green foods.  However, there are a number of studies and proven facts about how BLACK foods are just as good and in many ways, even better than green foods.

 

Black is the new green!  How so?  New studies show that many black or dark pigmented foods contain more antioxidants than lighter colored foods.  The high pigment content also gives more nutrient density, packing in more useful and vital vitamins and minerals into each bite.  Therefore, many nutritionists and dieticians now proclaim that Black is the new Green.  Dark fruits, veggies, produce and grains are nutritional powerhouses.  The dark black color comes from anthocyanins.  These anthocyanins cause dark pigmentation in fresh produce and whole foods and they may help lower the risks of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  Black superfoods also contain higher levels of fiber, protein, antioxidants and phytonutrients when compared to there counterparts.  As well, black superfoods are now more readily available in local grocery stores.

 

In additional studies, researchers are also trying to figure out if these anthocyanins from black plants and whole foods can help treat cancers, heart diseases and diabetes.  Black foods can now be found in many supermarkets but if you can’t find any, try natural food stores and small local grocers.  So what are the best black foods?  And how is Black the new Green when it comes to diet and nutrition?  Find out more about Black is the new Green below:

 

 

Black Tea

 
Let’s start off with one of our favourite black foods.  Although white and green teas get all the diet and nutrition hype as some of the best healthy drinks in the world, black tea has many perks as well.  The dark pigmentation of black teas gives the drink theaflavins.  According to the New Jersey Rugers University, theaflavins are special antioxidants found in black tea that help improve muscle recovery during and after intense workouts and exercise.  In addition, theaflavin antioxidants in black tea may also help in healing muscle soreness.  Another health benefit of black tea is that studies have shown that is may also lower your risk of heart disease and heart attacks.  Just add black tea!

 

 

Black Soybeans

 
Although yellow and green soybeans get all the attention (think edamame in Japanese cuisine), black soybeans are the real superfood when it comes to soy beans.  Although all soybean oils contain alpha linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid which reduces the risk of heart disease, black soybean oil seems to contain the highest levels of this health benefit.  As well, a recent study from Korean researchers show that black soybeans also reduce the risk of thrombosis, a type of blood clot that is in some cases, fatal.  Just add black soybeans!

 

 

Black Beans

 
Just like black soybeans, black beans also contain higher levels of nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids and other minerals that aid in regular body function and combatting disease.  The dark black beans are packed with bioflavonoids.  According to Cornell University, the high levels of bioflavonoids in black beans help protect us from all forms of cancer.  The potent plant base nutrients are exceptional.  Just add black beans.

 

 

Blackberries

 
Often overlooked due to the hype surrounding goji berries, blueberries and acai berry, blackberries are actually some of the most nutritional dense berries.  High in fiber which aids in digestion, one cup of blackberries contains more than 30% of your daily fiber requirements!  In addition, blackberries also contain polyphenols which help reduce cognitive decline and aid in brain/nervous function.  The polyphenols help clean up cells that impair daily brain function according to Boston’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.  Just add blackberries!

 

 

Black Lentils

 
Many vegans and vegetarians eat black lentils because of their high iron content.  About one cup of black lentils gives you close to 40% of your daily recommended intake of iron for women, which is just incredible.  In addition, lentils, specifically black lentils or those with a darker pigmentation, will contain high levels of soluble and digestible fiber.  This will help lower your cholesterol, improve immune function and even reduce your chance of heart disease according a new study done at the University of Illinois.  Just add black lentils!

 

 

Black Rice

 
Most of us grew up eating white rice or brown rice.  Not many of us know that there is even black rice on the market.  Brown rice is better than white, but black is better than either of them.  That’s because the bran hull of black rice contains significantly higher amounts of Vitamin E.  As you know Vitamin E helps boost our immune system to combat diseases and it also protects our cells from free radical damage.  According to a recent study at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, black rice contains more anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries!  Just add black rice!

 

The top 6 black superfoods explained in this article includes: black tea, black soybeans, black beans, blackberries, black lentils and black rice.

PURPLE is the new GREEN! Try These Purple Veggies and Fruits!

 

Purple produce takes a backseat when it comes to regular grocery shopping.  Those weird and colorful vegetables and fruit often cost a bit more and are stuck in the back of the grocery aisle where nobody can see them.  However, over the past few years, purple produce (vegetables, whole foods and fruits with a purple pigmentation) have gained a lot more recognition amongst chefs, scientists and grocery stores in addition to local grocers.  Back in 2009, an article in the Chicago Tribune called The Color Purple: Disease Fighter was published.  This article explained some of the many advantages and nutritional health benefits of eating purple produce.  The distinctive purple hue gives purple vegetables, purple whole foods and purple fruit that added nutritional power and have cast purple produce into the super food category.

 

 

Here’s a paragraph from The Color Purple: Disease Fighter

 
Purple is not simply a popular trend in fashion. This color of royalty, dubbed the “new black” by fashionistas, is also the new black in food. In produce aisles, at farmers markets and on restaurant menus, you can now find a growing array of heirloom and specialty vegetables with a distinctive purple hue — purple potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, beans, corn, asparagus, peppers, baby artichokes and cauliflower. Beyond the pleasing appearance on the plate, the purple color is a cue for nutritional power.

 

So why the sudden interest in purple vegetables and heirloom produce?  The answer is simple.  The dark pigmentation that is responsible for the purple tones in these types of produce are called anthocyanins.  So what are anthocyanins?  Anthocyanins are a type of phytonutrient that is gaining attention because recent studies have suggested that they help reduce the risk of many types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  In some human studies, anthocyanins have helped fight these three diseases as well.  Some other evidence suggests that anthocyanins in purple produce will help protect our brains when we grow old.  Here are some fast facts about the health benefits of purple vegetables, fruits and whole foods in recent research studies:

 

 

A recent USDA study found that 2 servings of purple potatoes a day helped lower blood pressure as much as a serving of oatmeal.  Many of the people in this study by Joe Vinson at the University of Scranton were overweight or obese and many of them were taking medication for high blood pressure during this study.

 

An Ohio State University study found that dark berries helped fight cancer by reducing inflammation.  Not only that, but purple berries were found to suppress the growth of cancer cells and even trigger cancer cell death naturally.

 

Another Ohio State University research study found that the anthocyanins in purple corn were the most potent in inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells when evaluated against many other fruits and vegetables.

 

Some UK scientists used purple snapdragon genes to increase the anthocyanins in regular tomatoes.  The result was a dark purple pigmentation in the tomatoes that also produced much higher levels of anthocyanins and even comparable to that of blueberries and blackberries.  Cancer susceptible mice who were fed these gmo purple tomatoes lived longer.

 

 

Ever since the cultivation and farming methods of today were implemented, purple produce remained relatively unknown.  Because of their naturally bitter taste, they were deemed undesirable when compared against other traditional sweeter produce.  Take for instance this quote from Jo Robinson, the author of Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimum Health:

 

Throughout the ages, our farming ancestors have chosen the least bitter plants to grow in their gardens. It is now known that many of the most beneficial phytonutrients have a bitter, sour or astringent taste. Second, early farmers favored plants that were relatively low in fiber and high in sugar, starch and oil. These energy-dense plants were pleasurable to eat and provided the calories needed to fuel a strenuous lifestyle. The more palatable our fruits and vegetables became, however, the less advantageous they were for our health.

 

 

And here are some of the most popular purple vegetables and produce available in stores today:

 

Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes

Sangria Artichokes

Fiesole Baby Artichokes

Fiore Viola Artichokes

Purple Cauliflower

Baby Purple Cauliflower

Purple Kohlrabi

Graffiti Eggplant

Radicchio

Kale Sprouts

Purple Asparagus

Red Onions

Purple Potatoes

Passion Fruit

Purple Wax Beans

Baby Purple Brussels Sprouts

Champagne Grapes

Concord Grapes

 

Get Up to 900% MORE NUTRITION from Sprouts Versus Fully Grown Foods

Sprouting foods is the ultimate vegan or vegetarian staple food because of their high levels of nutritional value. It’s been proven that sprouts carry abnormally high levels of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients when compared to fully grown foods.

 

 

You can reap the incredible health and nutritional benefits of sprouts just 2 to 8 days after you start the germination process! By doing so, you can grow some of the most nutritionally potent foods in the world in less than a week! Just like microgreens, sprouts from vegetable seeds, bean and nuts contain considerable amounts of nutrients in the form of phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins. When compared to fully grown foods, there’s just NO COMPARISON.

 

 

Here are some details about nutrition from sprouts versus fully grown foods that you may not be aware of:
 

Sprouts contain very high levels of protein that are easily absorbable and digestible (plant based proteins).

Sprouts contain more calcium, potassium, iron, sodium and Vitamins A, B1/2/3 and C when compared to their fully grown counterparts.

By soaking nuts and seeds (which is the start of a sprout germination process), you can lesson nutritional depletion and remove toxins. This process can also remove phytates that inhibit the absorption of iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium.

Sprouting peas can yield 800% more Vitamin C then fully grown peas.

Sprouting broccoli (after just 3 days) can yield up to 50 times more phytonutrients than consuming a mature broccoli spear.

Sprouting alfalfa grains contains more natural chlorophyll than mater parsley, kale, spinach or cabbage.

Of course, you can find microgreens and organic sprouts in any health food/organic store. However, it is just as easy for you to grow your own sprouts. It’s clean and simple to do. Plus sprouting is economic considering the high nutritional value of food you get for your dollar.

 

Juice Booster Ingredients > Want to Elevate Your Smoothie or Juice Blend to the next level?

 
If you are looking for 5 new ingredients to add to your morning smoothie or juice, please read on! These five organic, natural and raw ingredients will pack your drink with lots of nutrition, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and trace elements that will keep you going through the day! If you missed SET 1 – JUICE BOOST INGREDIENTS, click here or our new SET 3 – SMOOTHIE BOOSTERS. Otherwise, here are 5 new nutritious ingredients that will give your juice a boost!

 

 

Juice Booster #6 > Just Add Spinach

An easy way to elevate the health benefits and nutritional value of your juice blend, spinach is one of nature’s best superfoods. A cup of spinach has nearly 20% of your daily dietary fiber requirements which will help in your digestive processes and lower your blood pressure. Recent studies also link spinach to fighting prostate and other cancer with its high levels of phytonutrients. Adding spinach as a juice booster also improves your vision, disease immunity, and brain function in addition to maintaining healthy bones and skin. Just adding spinach to your juice or smoothie will also fight inflammation. Spinach is also very high in antioxidants, which help in combating atherosclerosis as well as osteoporosis. You can find organic spinach at any local grocer or farmer’s market or you can easily grow your own. Spinach is one of our favorite juice boost ingredients!

 

 

Smoothie Boost Ingredient #7 > Just Add Hemp Seeds

One of our favourite juice boost ingredients at Just Add Good Stuff is hemp seeds. This is nature’s highest botanical source of essential fatty acids. Hemp Seed as a smoothie booster ingredient will aid as an anti-inflammatory agent, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition, there are no known allergies to hemp seeds, so they are completely safe for people who are sensitive to lactose, sugar, gluten or nuts. In addition, food cravings are reduced and therefore, hemp seeds are often added into a weight loss program. A juice boost ingredient like hemp seeds will also help you increase focus and energy levels in addition to reducing stress. Hemp seeds are a superfood and there are several reasons for this. They contain high levels of protein (including 20 amino acids … and all 9 essential amino acids). In addition, the hemp seed juice booster also contains fatty acids, Vitamin E and lots of fiber. They are easy to digest and offer a rich source of natural phytonutrients, the disease protection that will aid in your immunity against diseases and infection. Just Add Hemp Seeds!

 

 

Juice Booster #8 > Just Add Maca

Derived from a herbaceous plant that is found on the high plateaus of the Ande’s Mountains in Peru, South America, the maca root vegetable has often been referred to as the ‘Peruvian Ginseng’ because of its many health benefits. Often coming in powder form, adding maca as a juice booster will give you lots of added nutrients and energy. A relative of the turnip and rash, the maca root smells a bit like butterscotch and adding maca to your morning smoothie or as a juice booster will help treat everything from chronic fatigue to anemia. Not only that, but maca in any form when consumed will reduce stress levels, anxiety, depression and help balance your mood. In addition, the maca juice booster can also contribute to clearing acne in a natural way in addition to promoting sexual function in both femals and males. Athletes use maca juice boosters to increase energy. WARNING > DO NOT add maca to your smoothie or juice booster if you are breast feeding or if you are pregnant.

 

 

Smoothie Booster Ingredient #9 > Just Add Lemon

Many of us forget that lemons help us balance our body’s pH levels. Although acidic in taste, once our body metabolizes lemon, they are alkaline which is the key to good health. Just add lemon into your daily smoothie or juice to boost your immune system as lemons are very high in Vitamin C and potassium. In addition, studies have shown that pectin fiber in lemons help curb food cravings and therefore have been an essential ingredient in many weight loss programs. As well, the smoothie booster ingredient also aids our gastrointestinal tract and keeps things moving in our digestive system. Another often overlooked property of lemons is that they hydrate our lymph system which prevents dehydration and adrenal fatigue. The lemon juice boost also decreases blemishes, acne and wrinkles, promoting healthier skin.

 

 

Juice Booster #10 > Just Add Seaweed

Seaweed has been around for centuries and it serves as an ideal choice for any morning juice blend or smoothie if you are looking for more Vitamin A and C as well as magnesium, iodine and calcium. Seaweed doesn’t contain any fat, and a serving only contains 5 to 10 calories, making it a great choice for vegetarians and vegans. The juice booster seaweed includes edible species like Red Dulse, Black Hijiki and Green Kumba, and all are equally nutritious and tasty additions to your smoothie or juice booster. Some of the health benefits of seaweed include aiding your digestive system and lowering your high blood pressure. As well, recent studies have shown that adding seaweed into your diet may have anti-cancer properties. So instead of just having seaweed as part of your sushi roll, try seaweed as a juice booster!

 

Just Add Good Stuff recommends adding some or all of the above juice boost ingredients into your daily smoothie or juice. Please consult with a health professional to make sure you are not allergic to any of these juice boosters. The 5 juice boost ingredients recommended in this article are: spinach, hemp seeds, maca, lemons and seaweeds.