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Hawthorn

Fruit/Berry

Hawthorn

A tart, antioxidant-rich berry traditionally used to support heart health and digestion.

Small, tart, red berries from the Crataegus genus, widely recognized for their cardiovascular benefits and high antioxidant content.

antioxidant-dense medicinal berry

Typical serving · 100g

Common varieties · Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus pinnatifida, Chinese hawthorn, English hawthorn

80health

Overall context score across nutrition, safety, and diet fit

At a glance

Quick facts

Simple indicators based on nutrition, processing, and diet fit.

Low calorieLow carbHigh fiberLow glycemicWeight lossDiabetes-friendlyGut health

The story

What makes it unique

Hawthorn berries are low-calorie, fiber-rich fruits containing abundant flavonoids and procyanidins. They digest moderately slowly due to fiber and pectin, providing steady satiety. The macronutrient profile is dominated by carbohydrates, primarily fructose and pectin, with minimal fat or protein.

Varieties: Crataegus monogyna · Crataegus laevigata · Crataegus pinnatifida · Chinese hawthorn · English hawthorn

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Per 100g

Nutrition breakdown

Macro balance and key metrics at a glance.

Energy

60kcal

Density 0.60 kcal/g

Protein

0.5g

Carbs

16g

Fat

0.2g

Fiber

3g

Sugar

10 g

Sodium

5 mg

Potassium

150 mg

Glycemic index

25

Glycemic load

4

Water content

80%

Standout compounds

Nutrient highlights

  • Flavonoids

    high

    Support cardiovascular health and reduce oxidative stress

  • Fiber

    moderate

    Promotes satiety and regulates digestion

  • Vitamin C

    moderate

    Supports immune function and collagen synthesis

  • Procyanidins

    high

    Strengthens blood vessel walls and improves circulation

Wellness map

Health scores & processing

Weight loss
80
Satiety
70
Blood sugar
85
Gut health
75
Heart health
95
Fitness
40
Processing
90

NOVA processing scale

1
Min
2
3
4
Ultra

Minimally processed (raw) · Whole food

Raw hawthorn berries are unprocessed whole foods, though many commercial products like hawthorn rolls or candied strips are heavily sweetened and ultra-processed.

Diet compatibility

  • Weight loss
  • Muscle gain
  • Diabetes
  • Gut health
  • Low carb
  • High protein
  • Heart health

Relative standing

Food rankings

Qualitative ranks compared to similar whole foods.

  • Satietygood
  • Blood sugarexcellent
  • Nutrient densitygood
  • Fitness fuelpoor
  • Processing qualityexcellent

Eat with confidence

Food safety profile

The flesh of the fruit is safe, but the seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and must be avoided. Conventional crops may carry pesticide residues.

80safety

Evidence confidence 85%

  • Pesticidesmoderate
  • Antibioticslow
  • Heavy metalslow
  • Contaminationlow

Watch for

  • Pesticide residues
  • Amygdalin (in seeds)

Safer choices

Organic fresh or dried hawthorn without added sugars.

Prep tips

Wash thoroughly to remove pesticide residue and carefully remove all seeds before consumption or processing.

Seeds contain amygdalin which converts to cyanide; consuming large quantities of crushed seeds is unsafe.

Deep dive

Health analysis

How this food may fit different goals and preparation choices.

  1. Weight loss

    Low energy density and high fiber content promote satiety, making it easier to manage caloric intake.

  2. Blood sugar

    Low glycemic index and load prevent rapid blood sugar spikes, aided by pectin which slows carbohydrate absorption.

  3. Fitness & energy

    Not an ideal primary fuel source due to low carbohydrate density and minimal protein for muscle recovery.

  4. Gut health

    Dietary fiber and polyphenols support a healthy gut microbiome and regular digestion.

  5. Processing quality

    Raw berries are whole foods, but popular commercial preparations like hawthorn strips often contain added sugar and artificial additives.

  6. Food safety

    Seeds must be strictly avoided due to cyanogenic compounds; flesh is safe and highly nutritious.

  7. Common mistakes

    Eating the seeds along with the flesh, or assuming all hawthorn snacks like candied strips retain the raw fruit's health benefits.

  8. Best preparation

    Steeping dried berries for tea, making unsweetened jam, or extracting juice after removing seeds.

Practical guide

Best use cases

When and how this food fits real eating patterns.

  • Heart-healthy tea

    Steeping dried berries to extract cardiovascular-supporting antioxidants without added sugar.

  • Low-calorie snacking

    Eating raw berries in moderation for a fiber-rich, low-energy-density treat.

  • Digestive aid

    Consuming hawthorn after meals to support digestion due to its traditional use and fiber content.

Balance sheet

Pros & cons

Upsides

  • Rich in heart-protective flavonoids
  • Low glycemic index supports blood sugar control
  • High fiber improves satiety and gut health
  • Low calorie density aids weight management
  • Potent antioxidant profile reduces oxidative stress

Trade-offs

  • Seeds are toxic and must be removed
  • Tart astringent taste is unappealing to some
  • Commonly sold with high added sugars as candied snacks
  • Limited availability of fresh berries outside native regions
  • Can interact with heart medications

Fit check

Who is it for?

Great match

  • cardiovascular support
  • blood sugar management
  • high-volume low-calorie snacking
  • antioxidant boosting

Consider alternatives

  • post-workout recovery
  • strict seed-free convenience eating
  • those on certain heart medications without doctor approval

Side by side

How it compares

Open the full head-to-head analysis for nutrition, safety, and practical tradeoffs.

  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS85% alike
    Cranberry

    Compare with

    Cranberry

    Hawthorn offers more cardiovascular benefits, while cranberry is superior for urinary tract health.

    Hawthorn is better for heart health, while cranberry targets urinary tract health; both are equally low in calories.

    Hawthorn vs Cranberry
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS80% alike
    Goji Berry

    Compare with

    Goji Berry

    Goji berries are higher in vitamin A and protein, while hawthorn is lower in sugar and better for blood sugar control.

    Hawthorn is lower in sugar and calories, making it better for weight loss, whereas goji offers more vitamin A.

    Hawthorn vs Goji Berry
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS75% alike
    Blueberry

    Compare with

    Blueberry

    Blueberries are sweeter and more versatile, while hawthorn has a stronger medicinal profile for heart health and lower sugar.

    Hawthorn is lower in sugar and better for blood sugar, while blueberries are sweeter and more widely eaten fresh.

    Hawthorn vs Blueberry
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS90% alike
    Rosehip

    Compare with

    Rosehip

    Rosehip is significantly higher in vitamin C, while hawthorn is more targeted toward cardiovascular health.

    Rosehip provides a massive vitamin C boost, while hawthorn is the better choice for heart support.

    Hawthorn vs Rosehip
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS70% alike
    Acai Berry

    Compare with

    Acai Berry

    Acai is higher in healthy fats and omega fatty acids, while hawthorn is lower in calories and higher in fiber.

    Hawthorn is lower in calories and better for weight loss, while acai provides more healthy fats for sustained energy.

    Hawthorn vs Acai Berry
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS65% alike
    Pomegranate

    Compare with

    Pomegranate

    Pomegranate offers more juice and folate, while hawthorn provides a lower sugar, lower calorie alternative.

    Hawthorn is lower in sugar and calories for weight loss, while pomegranate provides more volume and folate.

    Hawthorn vs Pomegranate
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS70% alike
    Raspberry

    Compare with

    Raspberry

    Raspberries have higher fiber and are sweeter, while hawthorn has specific cardiovascular flavonoids.

    Raspberries offer more fiber and a sweeter taste, while hawthorn provides unique heart-health compounds.

    Hawthorn vs Raspberry
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS80% alike
    Tart Cherry

    Compare with

    Tart Cherry

    Tart cherry is favored for muscle recovery and sleep, while hawthorn is targeted for heart health and blood flow.

    Tart cherry is better for fitness recovery and sleep, while hawthorn excels in cardiovascular support.

    Hawthorn vs Tart Cherry
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS65% alike
    Strawberry

    Compare with

    Strawberry

    Strawberries are higher in vitamin C and sweeter, while hawthorn is lower in sugar and has medicinal properties.

    Hawthorn is lower in sugar and better for blood sugar, while strawberries are sweeter and higher in vitamin C.

    Hawthorn vs Strawberry
  • Hawthorn

    This food

    Hawthorn

    VS85% alike
    Elderberry

    Compare with

    Elderberry

    Elderberry is primarily used for immune support, while hawthorn is used for cardiovascular health.

    Elderberry is the top choice for immune support, whereas hawthorn is superior for heart health and circulation.

    Hawthorn vs Elderberry

Common questions

FAQ

Answers aligned with how people search for this food.

  • Is hawthorn berry good for your heart?

    Yes, hawthorn is rich in flavonoids and procyanidins that support cardiovascular function, blood flow, and healthy blood pressure.

  • Can you eat raw hawthorn berries?

    Yes, the flesh is edible and tart, but the seeds must be removed as they contain toxic cyanogenic compounds.

  • Are hawthorn seeds poisonous?

    Yes, the seeds contain amygdalin, which metabolizes into cyanide. Never consume the seeds.

  • Does hawthorn lower blood pressure?

    Some studies suggest hawthorn may help dilate blood vessels, but it should not replace prescribed blood pressure medication without medical supervision.

  • Is hawthorn good for weight loss?

    Hawthorn is low in calories and high in fiber, which helps increase satiety and supports weight management.

  • Can diabetics eat hawthorn?

    Yes, raw hawthorn has a low glycemic index and may help regulate blood sugar, though sweetened hawthorn products should be avoided.

  • What does hawthorn taste like?

    Raw hawthorn berries are tart, slightly sweet, and astringent, similar to a sour apple or cranberry.

  • How do you use dried hawthorn berries?

    Dried hawthorn is commonly steeped in hot water to make herbal tea or simmered into jams and syrups.

Transparency

Data confidence

Estimated confidence for nutrition data, interpretation, safety notes, and comparisons.

85

Nutrition data

80

Health analysis

90

Food safety

85

Comparisons