A high school student recently won a regional science fair after testing an extract from chokeberries, a traditional Native American plant, and finding that it could kill cancer cells in a lab setting. This discovery may lead to further research on its potential health benefits.
Destany “Sky” Pete, a student from the Shoshone and Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, became interested in chokeberries after speaking with an elder in her community. The elder mentioned that people in their tribe had become less healthy over time, possibly due to a decline in eating traditional foods like chokeberry pudding. This conversation led Pete to choose chokeberries as the focus of her science fair project.
With the help of her science teacher, Pete connected with Dr. Ken Cornell, a biochemistry professor at Boise State University. Together, they conducted an experiment using chokeberries and uterine sarcoma cancer cells. Pete tested different parts of the fruit and found a surprising result. The chokeberry pudding, which includes crushed seeds, appeared to stop cancer cell growth. However, the juice alone had no significant effect.
“The traditional way of making chokeberry pudding includes the seeds,” Pete explained. “Nowadays, some people only use the juice, but maybe the seeds have properties that help keep us healthy.”
Chokeberries, also known as aronia berries, are rich in natural compounds like anthocyanins and phenolic acids. These substances have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which may help protect against disease. Research suggests that chokeberry extracts could slow tumor growth, support heart health, improve digestion, and boost the immune system. The berries also provide important vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
Other studies have shown that anthocyanins in chokeberries might slow the growth of certain cancer cells, such as those linked to colon and breast cancer. While more research is needed, chokeberries are a nutritious fruit that may contribute to better overall health when included in a balanced diet.