An extract of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) might act as a natural blood thinner in people with metabolic syndrome, according to a study in the European Journal of Nutrition. People with metabolic syndrome are at high risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. By decreasing blood “stickiness,” it might be possible to prevent heart attacks and strokes in this population.
Supplementing with Aronia melanocarpa significantly reduced total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, including
People with metabolic syndrome often have higher-than-normal levels of inflammatory markers and blood clotting substances in the body, and are significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Dark skinned berries are thought to play a role in heart disease prevention through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vessel-protective actions. Certain berries may also increase the secretion of adiponectin, a substance that helps regulate glucose and fat levels in the body.
The aim of the new study was to investigate the effects of Aronia melanocarpa on blood “stickiness” (platelet aggregation), clot formation, and blood fats in people with metabolic syndrome. Thirty-eight people with metabolic syndrome and 14 healthy volunteers took part in the study. For two months, the people with metabolic syndrome took an extract containing 100 mg of Aronia melanocarpa three times per day.
Supplementing with Aronia melanocarpa significantly reduced total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels after one and two months, but these values were still higher in people with metabolic syndrome than in the healthy volunteers. There was no change in heart-healthy HDL cholesterol levels.
After supplementing for one month, platelet aggregation was greatly inhibited in people with metabolic syndrome. It also took a lot longer for the platelets to clump together. “This observed effect may have some positive implications for the prevention of coronary incidents related to platelet hyperactivity frequently observed among patients with metabolic syndrome,” commented lead study author, Joanna Sikora of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Analyses, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. Similarly, there was a substantial decrease in the blood clotting potential after one and two months of Aronia supplementation.
While the results of the new study are promising, they are still preliminary and need to be replicated in future trials using a placebo for comparison. For now, it remains important to do what we already know works to help prevent metabolic syndrome. Here are some tips:
(Eur J Nutr 2011;doi:10.1007/s00394-011-0238-8)