Prunus Virginiana (Bitterberry Or Western Chokecherry)
In this post, we will discuss the composition and potential benefits of the North American Chokecherry.
Contents:
Basics Of Chokecherries
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
Composition Of Chokecherries
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
Benefits Of Chokecherries
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
How I Use Chokecherries
Where To Get Chokecherries
Caveats
Chokecherry is toxic to horses, moose, cattle, goats, deer, and other animals with segmented stomachs. R
Mechanism Of Action
Simple:
- Reduces IL-1b R
More Research
- Chokecherry the official fruit of the state of North Dakota. R