IOWA NATIVE
FAQ
Why Aronia berries?
The rich, dark purple color of Iowa Native Aronia berries indicate high levels of antioxidants previously not marketed on a mass scale such as elderberries. The rich dark purple of the Iowa Native Aronia berries comes from the plant polyphenols - anthocyanins and catechins, grown in the most fertile black soil in the world. Aronia berries are superior to elderberries in that Aronia berries in the raw berry state are not toxic to eat right off the bush. Secondly, Aronia berries even in a raw state are superior to elderberries in antioxidants. Thirdly, Aronia berries require no high temperature cooking to remove the raw toxic state, an action which greatly depletes antioxidant levels in elderberries. Finally, Aronia berries produced into a safe, low temperature dehydrated powder retain maximum antioxidants, in contrast to the greatly depleted antioxidant levels in elderberry products offered to the public.
How do Aronia berries compare to elderberries for consumer health?
Elderberries need to be cooked first before dehydrating or juicing to remove cyanide-inducing glycoside toxins, but in the process, antioxidant content is lost as well. In a revealing late 2020 German study comparing the effectiveness of Aronia berries versus elderberries, Aronia berries had a 97% success rate in inactivating the SARS CoVid-2 virus in vitro. Elderberries had 0% effectiveness.
What do anthocyanins and catechins do for the human body?
These two antioxidants are what gives the aronia berry a deep dark rich purple color. They build the body's immune system for disease prevention. Aronia berries are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants that may have heart-healthy, immune-boosting, and anticancer properties. Here is a partial list of research reflecting how good Aronia berries are for public health.
Do you have juiced products?
No. Juiced products, often marketed as beverages, lose a percentage of antioxidant value due to processing procedures like spray drying and other high heat extraction. Further, in juicing the parts of the Aronia berry containing the most antioxidants - the skin and seeds - are often lost as well. Our Iowa Native low-heat processing preserves maximum Aronia berry antioxidant value - from farm to home delivery, in powder form with the entire berry intact. Aronia berry juice made from Iowa Native powders loses substantial antioxidant value even after three days in the refrigerator. Therefore, it is recommended to consume your Iowa Native Aronia berry smoothie and shake-up juices the same day and not save it in the fridge overnight.
How do Iowa Native products compare with similar products?
Quality-wise and price-wise, Iowa Native Aronia berry products are superior in quality with an often far lower price. Most dried Aronia products marketed in the US are from China and Eastern Europe. Buyer beware - if the powder is pinkish to beet colored, it is inferior to Iowa Native dark superberry purple color. Further, if it is marketed in capsules, the per ounce price of Aronia berry is up to four-fold the offered Iowa Native price. The fact is, the dried Aronia berry powder is both the most potent form of Aronia antioxidant, and also the most labor-intensive to produce. Finally, the Iowa Native proprietary low-heat drying procedure helps keep our cost down.
Are your Aronia berries organic?
Yes, in the purest sense, but not (yet) Certified Organic. Iowa Native Aronia berries are one of the few fruits in the world that are virtually pest and weed resistant. Therefore, no pesticides or herbicides are required. Iowa Native Aronia are organic but not sold as such. Nevertheless, once the public catches on to Aronia berries as a primary dietary antioxidant, the Certified Organic, non-GMO labels play a social role in public marketing.