Researchers tested whether a supplement made from aronia berries (also called chokeberries) could help older adults with metabolic syndrome—a condition involving high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other heart risk factors. In an 8-week study with 44 older adults, half took a daily aronia berry extract while the other half didn’t. The group taking the extract showed improvements in blood pressure, triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), and cholesterol levels. While the supplement didn’t change body weight, it did appear to reduce inflammation and stress on cells, suggesting it might be a helpful addition to managing heart health in older people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking a daily aronia berry supplement for 8 weeks could improve heart health markers and reduce inflammation in older adults with metabolic syndrome
  • Who participated: 44 older adults (32 women and 12 men) who all had metabolic syndrome—a condition combining high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other heart risk factors
  • Key finding: People taking the aronia berry extract showed meaningful improvements in blood pressure (down 10 points), triglycerides (down 9 mg/dL), and LDL cholesterol (down 6.3 mg/dL) compared to those who didn’t take it, with very strong statistical confidence (p < 0.001)
  • What it means for you: Aronia berry extract may help improve several heart health numbers in older adults with metabolic syndrome, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits work long-term and in larger groups of people

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers divided 44 older adults with metabolic syndrome into two equal groups: one group received 10 grams of aronia berry extract daily for 8 weeks, while the other group received nothing. Before and after the 8 weeks, researchers measured various health markers including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar-related measurements, and inflammation markers.

The researchers carefully tracked what participants ate, their daily habits, and their medical history. They measured specific substances in the blood that indicate inflammation and cell damage. This approach allows researchers to see if changes in health markers are actually caused by the supplement rather than other factors.

Using a control group (people who don’t get the supplement) is crucial because it helps prove the supplement actually caused the improvements, not just the passage of time or other lifestyle changes. Measuring inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage) is important because these are key drivers of heart disease and aging-related problems in older adults.

This study has several strengths: it used a randomized design (randomly assigning people to groups reduces bias), it had a control group for comparison, and it measured multiple health markers. However, the sample size is relatively small (44 people), and the study only lasted 8 weeks. The group was mostly female (73%), which means results may not apply equally to men. The study was published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication.

What the Results Show

After 8 weeks, the group taking aronia berry extract showed significant improvements in several important heart health measurements. Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) decreased by 10 mmHg, which is a meaningful drop. Triglycerides—a type of fat in the blood that increases heart disease risk—dropped by 9 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) decreased by 6.3 mg/dL. The plasma atherogenic index, which measures how likely cholesterol is to damage arteries, also improved significantly.

The control group, which didn’t take the supplement, showed no significant changes in these measurements. This difference between groups is statistically very strong (p < 0.001), meaning there’s less than a 0.1% chance these improvements happened by random chance.

The study also found that markers of inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP) and oxidative stress decreased in the aronia group. These are important because inflammation and cellular damage are major contributors to heart disease and aging problems.

Interestingly, body weight and body measurements didn’t change significantly in either group over the 8 weeks. This suggests the aronia extract’s benefits for heart health happen independently of weight loss. The improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol appear to come from the berry’s active compounds reducing inflammation and oxidative stress rather than from changes in body composition.

This research aligns with previous studies showing that aronia berries contain powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Earlier research has suggested these berries may help with various health conditions, but this is one of the first studies specifically testing whether they help metabolic syndrome in older adults. The findings are consistent with what we know about how plant compounds can improve cholesterol and blood pressure.

The study is relatively small with only 44 participants, which means results may not apply to everyone. The 8-week timeframe is short—we don’t know if benefits continue beyond this period or if they’re sustained long-term. The group was mostly women (73%), so we can’t be sure the results apply equally to men. There’s no information about whether participants changed their diet or exercise habits during the study, which could have affected results. The study didn’t compare aronia extract to other treatments or supplements, so we don’t know how it compares to other options.

The Bottom Line

For older adults with metabolic syndrome, aronia berry extract may be worth discussing with a doctor as a potential supplement to help manage heart health markers. The evidence is moderate—this single study shows promise, but larger and longer studies are needed before making strong recommendations. If considering this supplement, it should complement, not replace, standard medical treatments like medications and lifestyle changes (diet and exercise).

This research is most relevant to older adults (the study participants were elderly) who have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or have multiple heart disease risk factors. People taking blood pressure or cholesterol medications should consult their doctor before adding supplements, as there could be interactions. This may be less relevant for younger people or those without metabolic syndrome, as the study only tested older adults with this specific condition.

In this study, improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol appeared within 8 weeks. However, this doesn’t mean everyone will see results this quickly. It typically takes 4-12 weeks to notice changes in blood pressure and cholesterol when starting new supplements or lifestyle changes. Long-term benefits beyond 8 weeks are unknown and would require additional research.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily aronia supplement intake (yes/no) and measure blood pressure weekly at the same time of day. Also note any changes in energy levels or how you feel. If possible, get blood work done every 4-8 weeks to monitor cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  • Set a daily reminder to take the aronia supplement at the same time each day (such as with breakfast). Log it in the app immediately after taking it to build consistency. Pair this with tracking one other heart-healthy behavior like a 10-minute walk or choosing a heart-healthy meal.
  • Create a monthly dashboard showing blood pressure trends, supplement adherence (percentage of days taken), and any blood work results. Set a goal to take the supplement at least 80% of days. Schedule quarterly check-ins with your doctor to review blood pressure and cholesterol trends and discuss whether the supplement is helping.

This research suggests aronia berry extract may help with certain heart health markers in older adults with metabolic syndrome, but it is not a substitute for medical treatment. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you take blood pressure or cholesterol medications, as supplements can interact with medications. This single 8-week study in 44 people provides promising preliminary evidence, but larger and longer studies are needed to confirm these benefits. Do not stop or change any prescribed medications without talking to your healthcare provider. Individual results may vary, and this supplement may not work the same way for everyone.