Content
- 1 Composition of black currant berries
- 2 The benefits of black currant
- 3 What are the benefits of black currant for a woman’s body?
- 4 Is it possible to have black currants while breastfeeding?
- 5 Blackcurrant and type 2 diabetes
- 6 Black currant increases or decreases blood pressure
- 7 Black currant weakens or strengthens
- 8 Uses of black currant
- 9 How many calories are in black currants?
- 10 Contraindications for black currants
- 11 Useful properties and contraindications of currant branches
- 12 Conclusion
Black currant is the leader among berry crops in terms of ascorbic acid content. The berry is loved by many for its special sour taste and unique, recognizable aroma. The beneficial properties of black currant and contraindications for use are interrelated. The elements that the fruit contains have active effects on the human body.
Composition of black currant berries
The fruits contain organic acids, vitamins, minerals, natural pectins, and flavonoids. In addition, they contain volatile compounds, as well as unique essential oils. Each group of elements is different in terms of benefits and type of influence:
Vitamins | Thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic and nicotinic acids, vitamin C. |
Minerals | Potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese. |
Acids | Lemon, apple, pantothenic. |
Currants are rich in pectin, dietary fiber, glycosides, and tannins. Sugars are represented by fructose and glucose. The health benefits or harms of a berry such as black currant are determined based on an analysis of the qualities of the composition. Its peculiarity is the unique proportions of compounds that make the berries especially healthy.
The benefits of black currant
A handful of fresh black berries can replenish the body's natural need for ascorbic acid.
Small black glossy fruits are comparable in their properties to the packaging of a vitamin complex, which contains various elements. At the same time, experts note that the skin that surrounds the pulp is especially valuable as an element rich in minerals. Regular consumption of berries has various types of beneficial effects:
- Due to the increased content of ascorbic acid, the fruits become an excellent antipyretic and diaphoretic.
- The water contained in the pulp has a gentle diuretic effect.
- Organic acids, essential oils and volatile compounds promote relaxation and calm the nervous system.
- Antioxidant elements normalize the activity of the heart muscle, prevent oxidation processes inside the blood vessels, maintaining their natural elasticity.
- Dietary fiber and tannins help improve intestinal activity, provoke the elimination of harmful toxins, and protect the walls of the stomach from harmful influences.These qualities of black currant determine the benefits for the intestines.
- Vitamins with mineral elements have a positive effect on strengthening the musculoskeletal system.
- One of the most valuable is the property of berries to strengthen the body’s immune forces, which occurs due to the active absorption of vitamins and minerals.
What are the benefits of black currant for a woman’s body?
In addition to general properties, berries (subject to regular consumption) have highly specialized effects. One of them can be called the quality of reducing the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome in women. This is due to the special influence of essential oils. In addition, the fruits reduce migraine-type headaches, which affect the female population.
A handful of berries can improve your mood. A great bonus for women is the additional effect of black currant on the condition of the skin, hair, and nails. This property can easily be explained by the content of B vitamins.
Beneficial properties of black currant for men
Black currant contains small seeds that are rich in fatty acids. These elements have a positive effect on potency in men. In addition, the diuretic effect helps to normalize the functioning of the genitourinary system.
The benefits of black currant for children
Different varieties of currants are introduced into children's diets starting at 6 months of age. The child's body needs vitamins that fruits contain. Ascorbic acid helps form a protective barrier and strengthens the immune system.
In addition, the unique vitamin and mineral composition promotes the development of the musculoskeletal system, which is especially important during the development of the children's motor system.
Currants are added to fruit purees; they go well with plums, apples, and pears.
Harm of black currant to the human body
Despite its beneficial properties and unique composition of vitamins, black currants can have harmful effects. The consequences of uncontrolled use can be expressed by the appearance of heartburn. This sensation occurs due to the intense production of gastric juice, which is provoked by acids in the composition of the fruit.
Uncontrolled consumption of fresh berries can lead to a deterioration in blood counts if natural blood flow is disrupted.
During late pregnancy, eating currants increases the risk of constipation. These conditions are undesirable for pregnant women.
Currants are a strong natural allergen; when food poisoning occurs, it is important to be careful when consuming berries.
Is it possible to have black currants while breastfeeding?
Nursing mothers need to expand their diet, supplementing it with healthy foods containing vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the future development of the child. In the absence of contraindications or possible food allergies, black currants are allowed to be consumed during breastfeeding after the child is 3-4 months old.
The introduction of berries begins gradually, monitoring the baby's reaction. If a child develops an allergic rash, stop taking it.If the baby’s body reacts calmly to a new product that is digested by the mother, this means that the berry is suitable for both mother and child.
Blackcurrant and type 2 diabetes
Diagnosed diabetes mellitus significantly complicates life. This is a condition in which it is necessary to carefully monitor blood counts and avoid consuming foods or herbal elements with a high glycemic index.
The calorie content of black currant berries is low. Without additional added sugar, the fruits are recommended for consumption by people on a diet menu. The sugars that the berry contains are divided into glucose and fructose; these elements can be digested without a negative effect on blood sugar. The benefit of black currant fruits for diabetes lies in the fact that the berries, being a source of natural vitamins and pectins, have no side effects.
Black currant increases or decreases blood pressure
The effect of black currant on blood pressure is one of the main properties of the berries. The microelements that the composition contains help strengthen the vascular walls, tidy up the arteries and veins, improving their overall structure. Thanks to these influences, the inner surface of the vessels becomes more elastic.
Normalizing blood flow helps stabilize blood pressure, therefore, when they talk about the benefits of the black variety for high blood pressure, they mean the stabilization of natural processes.
Black currant is recommended for both hypotensive and hypertensive patients. The effect that the berry has is called “blood pressure normalizing.”It can only be achieved by regularly eating small amounts of berries. Excessive intake can lead to pressure surges, so they talk about an increase or decrease in blood pressure.
Black currant weakens or strengthens
If you have problems with stool, doctors recommend using suitable products and replacing fast food with vegetable proteins and dietary fiber. This technique helps normalize the functioning of the digestive system without the use of medications.
Blackcurrant is recommended for those who periodically experience diarrhea. In addition to their actions that normalize digestive processes, berries have a beneficial strengthening effect.
This quality is especially appreciated by young mothers who introduce complementary foods to their children in the summer. In children aged 1 to 3 years, digestive processes are characterized by instability and constant changes, so during daily summer walks, mothers try to expand the diet with elements that help consolidate stool.
Uses of black currant
The beneficial properties and unique taste of black currant are in demand in various areas. It is used as a source of vitamins, minerals, and also as a tasty berry that gives baked goods and desserts a special sour taste.
Properties and taste are in demand in the preparation of delicious drinks. In summer, they are chilled and served with ice to quench your thirst. In winter, drinking warm frozen currants helps cope with the symptoms of colds.
In cooking
A variety of preserves, jams and compotes are prepared from black currants. After heat treatment, the fruits lose some of their properties, but remain healthy and tasty.Natural pectins, which the black variety is rich in, allow you to cook delicious thick jams without adding gelatin or agar-agar.
Jams are prepared by boiling berries in sugar syrup or grinding them using a blender or meat grinder. In this case, the currant puree acquires a special structure. Jam, ground in a meat grinder, is used to make berry pies and added to sponge cakes.
Blackcurrant compotes and fruit drinks are known for their beneficial effects:
- have a diuretic effect;
- restore water balance;
- act as a general tonic;
- help normalize body temperature during chills and fever.
Dried or fresh berries are added to black tea, this makes the drink especially healthy and gives it a special aroma. These teas are drunk freshly brewed. The benefits of blackcurrant tea are especially noticeable for women. They improve your mood, relieve anxiety, relax and soothe.
Desserts are also decorated with berries; mousses, puddings, and jellies are prepared from currant puree. Because of their characteristic sour taste, blackcurrant fruits are used to prepare a traditional Georgian sauce with red wine, which is served with baked meat.
Currants are a traditional component for making homemade liqueurs, tinctures, and liqueurs. The type of drink prepared depends on the proportions of sugar, berries and alcohol. Low-alcohol liqueurs are compared to classic grape wines.
In folk medicine
The properties of the fruit, which are used to normalize blood pressure, are in demand in traditional medicine.The effect of taking infusions with an alcohol component may vary. The condition for use is the absence of contraindications and compliance with the rules of administration.
The main raw materials for preparing decoctions with beneficial properties are currant leaves and flowers. Dried fruits are also used in folk medicine as a component with which medicinal tinctures are prepared.
There are unique ancient recipes using fresh berries. One example is the preparation of a mixture that improves blood counts. This composition has long been used to treat anemia.
Fresh berries are ground with sugar, buckwheat flour is added, and mixed until smooth. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions. This mixture is taken 1 tbsp. l. after meals every day during the therapeutic course.
To strengthen the immune system, prepare an infusion of dried currants and rose hips, taken in equal proportions. The mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water and left to steep. Take three times a day for two weeks.
In cosmetology
In the summer, when berries and fruits ripen, women use them for cosmetic purposes. Blackcurrant as a means of external use can have benefits for the face:
- promote skin whitening;
- relieve swelling;
- improve the overall color and texture of the skin.
Face masks are made from pureed pulp or juice of the fruit. For dry facial skin, add 1 tbsp to the pulp. l. sour cream, mix until the components are combined as much as possible. Apply to the face after preliminary cleansing, rinse off after 10 minutes. Oily facial skin is wiped with juice squeezed from the fruit, then a light cream or emulsion is applied.
How many calories are in black currants?
The calorie content of black currant berries is considered one of the lowest. With the presence of useful elements and a varied vitamin and mineral complex, 100 g of berries contain only 45 kcal. This indicator increases when taking berries with sugar or powdered sugar.
Contraindications for black currants
The beneficial properties of black currant can provoke negative effects if a person is diagnosed with serious diseases. Currants are one of those berries that have a powerful effect when they enter the human body, so uncontrolled consumption or use contrary to contraindications can be dangerous with complications. Before preparing dishes or drinks from currants, you need to familiarize yourself with the prohibitions that are associated with the characteristics of the diagnosed diseases.
- The pulp and the acids it contains affect the active production of gastric juice, so the berry can be harmful for those who constantly have increased stomach acidity. These signs are characteristic of such diagnoses as: gastritis, ulcers, colitis.
- Berries, due to a unique complex of vitamins and minerals combined with organic acids and essential oils, actively affect blood counts. They are contraindicated for those people who have impaired blood clotting. Uncontrolled use is dangerous for thrombophlebitis, a tendency to varicose veins.
- When absorbing the rich complex of substances contained in currants, there is an increased load on the liver. When diagnosing hepatitis, it is better to avoid eating berries.
Useful properties and contraindications of currant branches
Currant branches, buds and leaves contain flavonoids, organic acids, tannins, essential oils, and traces of mineral salts. The branches on which the fruits ripen have a recognizable currant aroma. They are used to prepare medicinal compounds.
The main beneficial properties of infusions from currant branches, which are in demand in traditional medicine:
- Antibacterial. Infusions are used to treat skin diseases and relieve redness after bites.
- Anti-inflammatory. Thanks to useful tannins, decoctions relieve swelling and help relieve inflammation.
- Painkillers. Lotions made from concentrated infusions can have a slight analgesic effect due to the content of antioxidant substances and volatile acid compounds.
Usually the branches are infused together with the leaves. These compounds cure eczema and relieve symptoms of psoriasis.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties of black currant and contraindications for its use are closely related. The fruits are rich in ascorbic acid, pectins, organic acids, and minerals. A handful of berries can replenish the daily requirement of vitamin C. In addition, the berry is tasty, in demand in cooking, and has an interesting, recognizable aroma. In the absence of contraindications, the berry has invaluable benefits for the body.
