The 3+ Benefits of Prunus Virginiana (Bitterberry Or Western Chokecherry)

In this post, we will discuss the composition and potential benefits of the North American Chokecherry. 

Prunus Virginiana (chokecherry) should not be confused with Aronia Melanocarpa (chokeberry), which has the highest amount of polyphenols per any fruit.

Prunus virginiana, commonly called bitter-berry, chokecherry, Virginia bird cherry and western chokecherry is a species of bird cherry (Prunus subgenus Padus) native to North America. R

Traditionally chokecherries were widely used by Native Americans both as a food, such as wine, juice, and wasna (a mixture of dried berries and dried meat) and as a medicine. R

Phenolic Acids: R

• chlorogenic acid
• caffeic acid
• ferulic acid
• sinapic acid

Anthocyanins: R

• cyanidin 3-glu/gal
• delphinidin 3-glu/gal
• cyanidin 3,5-diglu
• delphinidin 3,5-diglu
• petunidin 3-acetylglu
• cyanidin 3-p-coumarolylglu

Carotenoids: R

• β-carotene/lycopene
• β-cryptoxanthin

Vitamins: R

• Niacin
• Pantothenic Acid
• Vitamin B6
• Riboflavin
• Thiamin
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Choline

1. Rich In Antioxidants And Vitamins

Menthol extracts of chokecherries have shown the fruit to have high levels of antioxidants (see composition above). R

Chokecherries have higher free-radical scavenging abilities than strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, saskatoon berries, and seabuckthorn. R

Chokecherries are moderately high in anthocyanins, compared to blueberries (high). R

2. May Help With Inflammation

Chokecherries in a water extract has shown to reduce Lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b. R

3. May Be More Efficient For Oil Production

Chokecherry can produce 1.5-2.5x the amount of oil produced by a canola/wheat rotation. R

I've recently been making sure to eat all my fruits in a Hormetic fashion (over a year now).

I've been using it as Syrup in combination with Honey to sweeten my smoothies.

The chokecherry fruit usually made as a Jam, Jelly, or Syrup.

Chokecherry is toxic to horses, moose, cattle, goats, deer, and other animals with segmented stomachs. R

Simple:

• Reduces IL-1b R

• Chokecherry the official fruit of the state of North Dakota. R