Overview

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.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Ineffective for

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.

Side Effects

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 and Warnings

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.

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.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 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.

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.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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