Tag Archives: Aronia Berries

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AI Answers My Questions

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I have been hearing so much about AI lately, I thought I’d play around. So naturally, I used AI to research ingredients in our Immune Builder. It was so quick and surprised me. It’s taken us years to learn some of this but it’s all written out for me in a matter of seconds. It’s interesting!

People use A2 goat whey for a variety of health and nutritional reasons, especially as a protein supplement or alternative to cow’s milk-derived whey. Here’s why it’s popular:

1. Digestive Benefits

  • A2 Casein vs. A1 Casein: Goat milk primarily contains A2 beta-casein protein, which is thought to be easier to digest than the A1 beta-casein found in most cow’s milk. Some people experience less bloating, gas, or discomfort when consuming A2 dairy products.
  • Less Lactose or Better Tolerance: Goat milk (and its whey) naturally has slightly less lactose and may be better tolerated by people with mild lactose sensitivity.

2. Nutritional Profile

  • High-Quality Protein: Goat whey contains all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein, important for muscle repair and growth.
  • Rich in Bioactive Compounds: Contains immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and growth factors, which may support the immune system and gut health.
  • Naturally Lower Allergenicity: Goat dairy has different protein structures that are less allergenic for some individuals than cow dairy.

3. Health-Conscious and Niche Diets

  • Popular among people following:
    • Paleo or Primal diets
    • A2 milk-only protocols
    • Functional medicine or gut-healing diets
    • Autoimmune or anti-inflammatory diets

4. Sustainability and Ethics

  • Goat farming is often seen as more sustainable than large-scale cow dairy farming.
  • Some prefer goat milk products due to ethical farming practices associated with smaller-scale goat farms.

5. Taste and Versatility

  • Some people simply prefer the milder, less processed flavor of goat whey compared to cow whey isolate or concentrate.
ChatGPT said:

Here’s a detailed comparison of A2 goat whey vs. regular cow whey, tailored to specific health and fitness goals:

🏋️‍♂️ Muscle Gain & Performance

FeatureA2 Goat WheyRegular Cow Whey
Protein QualityComplete protein; slightly less leucineComplete protein; typically higher leucine
Absorption RateFast-absorbing, similar to cow wheyFast-absorbing; gold standard for muscle building
Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)Moderate (lower than cow whey)Higher BCAAs (especially leucine)
Best ForSensitive athletes or whole-food puristsBodybuilders and performance-focused users

🔎 Verdict: Cow whey has a slight edge in muscle building due to higher leucine and BCAAs, but A2 goat whey is a good option if digestion is a concern.

🧬 Digestive Health & Food Sensitivities

FeatureA2 Goat WheyRegular Cow Whey
Beta-casein TypeA2-only (easier to digest)A1 or A1/A2 mix (can cause discomfort)
Lactose ContentLower than cow wheyVaries (can be higher in concentrates)
Allergenic PotentialLowerHigher (especially for casein-sensitive people)
Gut Health ImpactLess inflammatory for sensitive gutsCan aggravate IBS or leaky gut symptoms

🔎 Verdict: A2 goat whey wins for digestive ease, particularly for those with lactose sensitivity, IBS, or dairy allergies.

🔥 Inflammation & Autoimmune Support

FeatureA2 Goat WheyRegular Cow Whey
Inflammatory ResponseOften reported as lowerCan trigger low-grade inflammation in sensitive individuals
Immune SupportHigh in lactoferrin and immunoglobulinsAlso present, but varies by processing
Suitability for Autoimmune DietsFrequently recommended in AIP or gut-healing dietsOften avoided due to A1 and allergenic potential

🔎 Verdict: For anti-inflammatory goals, A2 goat whey is superior—especially if you’re managing autoimmune conditions, eczema, joint pain, or fatigue.

🧪 Summary by Goal

🌿 Why A2 Goat Whey + Aronia Berry Powder = A Smart Combo

🧬 1. Digestive & Immune Synergy

  • A2 goat whey is rich in:
    • Easily digestible protein
    • Lactoferrin, immunoglobulins (immune-boosting compounds)
  • Aronia berry (also called chokeberry) is packed with:
    • Antioxidants (especially anthocyanins)
    • Anti-inflammatory polyphenols
    • Fiber (supports gut flora)

🔗 Together:

  • Help modulate gut microbiota
  • Strengthen the intestinal barrier
  • Reduce systemic inflammation — ideal for people with IBS, autoimmune conditions, or chronic fatigue.

💪 2. Recovery & Muscle Support + Antioxidant Protection

  • Whey supports muscle repair and protein synthesis
  • Aronia combats oxidative stress, which rises after workouts
  • This combo can enhance post-workout recovery, especially for sensitive individuals

❤️ 3. Heart & Metabolic Health

  • Aronia berries are clinically studied for:
    • Lowering blood pressure
    • Improving cholesterol
    • Reducing blood sugar spikes
  • A2 goat whey provides high-quality protein without spiking insulin like some carb-heavy post-workout meals

⚖️ How to Use the Combo

How to MixTips
Shake or smoothieMix 1 scoop A2 goat whey + 1–2 tsp Aronia powder in water or nut milk
Post-workoutAdd banana or oats for recovery carbs
Morning shakeBlend with greens, chia, or flaxseed
Immunity tonicAdd ginger or turmeric for extra inflammation control

⚠️ What to Watch Out For

Potential IssueAdvice
Aronia is very tartBalance with banana, dates, or a touch of honey
Taste/texture mixGoat whey has a unique flavor; try in smoothies rather than plain shakes
DosingStart with 1 tsp Aronia powder to assess tolerance; it’s potent
Allergy or sensitivityThough rare, test goat whey in small amounts if you’ve never had it

✅ Ideal For:

  • Gut-healing protocols
  • Anti-inflammatory diets (AIP, SIBO, etc.)
  • Clean post-workout shakes
  • Aging and longevity support
  • Plant-forward diets needing a high-quality animal protein source

No wonder folks feel better using our A2 Immune Builder with Aronia Berries. Is it something you might want to try? Let me know or visit MyAroniaBerry.com

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Aronia Continues to Amaze

Recently we shipped berries to Florida and California, sent berries to New Jersey to an organic juice bar, restocked our local stores, sold berries to a farmer hoping to help a pig’s inflammation prior to their County Fair, and learned a mid-wife recommends Aronia to her patients to help with varicose veins!

I’ve been reaching out to new outlets who may have an interest in our healthy, high antioxidant berries. If you know of anyone interested, please encourage them to reach out to Peggy@MyAroniaBerry.com.

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Beautiful Berries

Each bloom will become a berry. Fields are loaded with beautiful, fragrant blooms.

Fragrant Spring!

Spring is a beautiful time at our house. We can see fields full of blossoms in three directions. We love watching the bushes awake from their deep woodsy branches to the maroon looking buds, then the pop of the buds, leaves emerging leaving a green cast on the fields, and finally the flowers.

Early to mid-May is when the fields burst into color. If we get a heavy wind, like we have lately, it looks like it’s snowing tiny white petals. The petals fall off and all that is left is the forming berry. It’s amazing to watch the transformation.

It’s time to feed the plants again. This week we used the “fragrant cocktail” to feed the plants. We use an organic foliar spray made of fish emulsion and seaweed to give the plants a quick boost of nitrogen. The bushes love the nutrients, the family, not so much. Our middle granddaughter thinks it makes her gag! Honestly it smells like a nasty fish tank and parmesan cheese. When we spray, sprayer, mower and applicator all get washed! It’s a process we repeat every couple weeks from the time leaves begin appearing. We feed them to help get the best berries.

Organic Fertilization
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Anthocyanins AND ARONIA

What Are Anthocyanins?

These are compounds naturally found in red, blue, and purple foods. They possess high levels of antioxidant activity and cause the dark colors in foods, flowers and plant material.

Why are Anthocyanins So Important?

Scientists have discovered about 300 different types of anthocyanins and research is proving the active role the compounds play in protecting cells, healing the body, preventing disease and hindering premature aging.

Aronia Berries & Anthocyanins

If you’ve seen our berries for yourself, you know they are about as dark as can be. They are a dark, dark purple, almost black berry. Their color is indicative of their high antioxidant levels. You always hear how good blueberries are for you…wait until you see how Aronia berries compare to Blueberries! Check out the chart below:

Yes you read that right, Blueberries have about half the antioxidants as in Aronia. So why haven’t you heard about this? I’ve heard that question so often. The reason is the Aronia industry has had some tough bumps and has been slow to produce products with wide availability. Some of the hurdles are slowly but surely being overcome. We have collaborated with two different companies to bring high-quality Aronia products to the masses.

We are developing MyAroniaBerry.com as a source for high-quality, certified organic Aronia products.

One of the products we are so excited about is a 50/50 blend of our organic Aronia and Elder Farms’ certified organic Elderberry. The finished product is an amazingly good blend of these two anthocyanin rich fruits. The result is a powerhouse immune supporting product.

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Antioxidant Aronia

Recently we ran across yet another article touting the antioxidant benefit of Aronia berries.

Check this out on WebMD

After roller coaster ride of organic Aronia Berry farming, we finally feel like we’re on the roller coaster going up slowly. We are working with great partners who are creating wonderful Aronia products.

You can see for yourself the antioxidant rating of Aronia. They rank much higher than the blueberry or even cranberries that are so good for us. As we all struggle to stay healthy and build our immune systems, we need the antioxidant punch of Aronia.

One of the gentlemen we are working with has been encouraging over the last few years. When I was complaining about being sick and tired of cutting out the same trees over and over and fighting the weeds, he encouraged us to hang in there. He told us about a woman who tested the products he developed and way outlived the doctor’s grim prognosis. He has told us of folks who are living much better lives because of the Aronia berries and the products which are being developed. His exact words were “If you know you are helping others, you can pull a few more weeds.”

So as we keep pulling weeds, and cutting out stray trees, we are looking forward to bringing you these products. Keep watching or visit MyAroniaBerry.com to learn more.

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2021 Aronia Berry Harvest In the Books

2021 Aronia Berry Harvest complete! We had great help for the day to make it a success. Was it all it could be? No, heavy frost and snow in our low lying fields dramatically limited yields. We had no berries in much of the lowest areas. Drought conditions limited the size of the berries, but they’re picked and out.

All total we picked about 8700 lbs of berries! We’d anticipated about 6,000 lbs. We keep thinking what if frost/snow hadn’t impacted our lower field!

John from US Aronia harvesting
Ready to wrap and load in the refrigerated truck
Filled Lugs
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Aronia Berry Harvest Time Nears

By this time next week our fields will look drastically different, we will have had commercial harvesters pick our Aronia Berries. We’ll post pictures of the harvesting.

Lately we’ve been getting questions from small growers and folks at home who have berries, wondering why we haven’t picked them yet. Some people picked them when they first started turning purple because they look ripe.

We wait, sometimes impatiently, for the sugar content in the berries to rise. It helps our berries taste better than other berries which are harvested too early.

Our daughter says, “Sugar content?” (She’s not a fan of the fresh berries.) The sugar content in fruits vary from one to another. Aronia is a tart, dry, astringent berry that isn’t always a favorite of folks straight off the bush. We say it’s an acquired taste. Folks who aren’t really big sugar fans will enjoy the berries alone.

How Do I Know My Berries Are Ready?

The berries begin turning purple in July. Through August the berries fill out and ripen. If you have berries at home and wonder when to pick them, wait for the stems to change from green, to reddish, to dry and brown in color.

Berries themselves have a dimpled bottom. As the berries fill out and ripen, you will notice the dimpled area become more prevalent.

If you cut a berry in half, a ripe berry will be uniformly colored all the way through.

If you harvest too early, it’s fine, your berries just will not be as tasty and nutritious as possible. Next year, be patient.

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Almost Time, BUT no Aronia Berry Harvest…

Normally at this time of year we would be working with harvesters, hustling to find a refrigerated truck, pallets, and enough totes to hold all the harvest. This year there’s no competition with the Iowa State Fair’s need for refrigeration trucks because of COVID.

Because of the early spring cold weather and snow, the berries all fell off. We were crushed. Farming is like a roller coaster, highs and lows. Truly a low this year.

I’ve had folks call recently getting ready to come pick their own berries. Since there are none, we are offering them frozen berries. We have lots of those, so if you’re looking for Aronia Berries for your morning smoothies or berries to make wonderful jams, or to bake, we have you covered.

We’ve also sent bulk berries to folks interested in juicing their own berries. Oh the healthy possibilities!

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The Verdict Is In

You know sometimes when folks tell you something is good for you, you think, yeah right? It’s just hype to sell more. I know think that until I look into it myself or know someone it’s really helped.

The study here discusses the benefits of our little purple powerhouse berries in the fight to lower cholesterol. The study was done with rats. However, we have a friend at church who swears by Aronia Berries. She was struggling with high cholesterol and hesitated to use lipid lowering medications because of side effects. She tried Aronia, just a small handful daily. Her only diet change was adding berries daily to her cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt. Her cholesterol was 30 points lower at her re-check!

Side effects? None. Plus she had the benefit from the anti-fungal, anti-viral antioxidant properties of Aronia. Good enough reason to try? You bet.

Remember, you can find them at Fareway in Carlisle, Indianola, Norwalk and Fleur Drive in Des Moines. In addition, Gateway Market and the Price Choppers in Des Moines also handle Aronia. You can always contact us directly if you need them shipped to you.

Fogle’s Organic Aronia Berries in the Freezer Section
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BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

I have been remiss in adding to the blog this spring. We’ve been so busy catching up with things we didn’t get done last year due to health reasons, I’m running way behind!

The berries have lots of beautiful little berries. Even the bushes that we trimmed back too 8″ a year ago in March are loaded with berries and are about five foot tall. It’s amazing to us how resilient the Aronia berries are.

In my spare time I’ve been making Aronia Cayenne Sauce and Strawberry Aronia Fruit Spread. Two of our favorite ways to share the Aronia goodness with others. I plan to take the Fruit Spread and Aronia Cayenne Sauce to the What Cheer Flea Market this weekend. Yet another attempt to educate folks on the wonderful benefits and flavors of Aronia!