Useful properties and contraindications of black currant for the human body

Today, black currants can be seen on a significant part of household plots. The berries are valued for their distinct rich taste and smell; many have heard about the usefulness of the product. What beneficial properties and contraindications black currants have, you should find out in advance, which will help you get the maximum benefit from them.

What elements and vitamins are berries rich in?

Currants are among the leaders in terms of vitamin content. At the moment of ripening, the berries accumulate the maximum amount of vitamin C. Only 20 ripe berries can meet its daily requirement. At the same time, the calorie content of 100 g of product is 44 kcal.

The composition of the berries is unusually rich, it contains trace elements and many minerals. It contains a wide variety of B vitamins, the spectrum of which is very wide.

The product contains phytoncides, pectin, essential oils and other substances. Blackcurrants contain minerals such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium.

Due to its rich composition and usefulness, currants are often called the “garden pharmacy”. It contains various microelements that can simultaneously positively influence the functioning of the entire body.

Impact on the body

Thanks to vitamin C, currants are considered an effective means of supporting immunity. This element, together with provitamin A, has the ability to fight abnormal cells, as they increase protective properties:

• phytoncides - have a detrimental effect on microbes and viruses;
• acids - increase appetite, help increase the production of gastric juice, provide an antimicrobial effect;
• pectin - improves intestinal functioning, prevents “bad” cholesterol from being absorbed, and ensures the removal of toxins and heavy metals;
• tannins - help retain food in the stomach, which allows for better absorption of food;
• essential oils - provide a disinfecting effect and promote wound healing.

B vitamins normalize energy processes, increase the ability to absorb proteins, stimulate the production of hormones and ensure proper body tone. A large amount of vitamins helps to cope with their deficiency and contributes to a faster recovery of patients after surgery.

Beneficial properties of fruits

A distinctive property of currants is the unique ability to simultaneously influence all systems of human life. It replenishes the deficiency of nutrients, helps fight bacterial and viral infections, stimulates immune properties, increases appetite and the production of gastric juice. The usefulness of the product decreases slightly when frozen and dried. To obtain a valuable source of nutrients in winter, various recipes are used; preserves, jams, juices and compotes are prepared from the fruits.

For men

The substances contained in the berry help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, and since cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death among men, the regular presence of berries in the menu can reduce the risk of their occurrence.

It is a popular remedy for restoring potency, so it is often recommended to be taken to solve sexual problems.

Benefits for women and expectant mothers

Currants contain a high content of vitamins and minerals, so regular consumption of berries helps improve the condition of the skin and normalize its color. Including them in your diet helps fight the first signs of aging.

Low calorie content allows you to include currants in the menu for losing weight.It is rich in vitamins A and C, which contribute to better breakdown of fats, so eating berries helps to achieve better weight loss results. The product helps remove excess fluid, which also has a beneficial effect on the weight loss process.

Currants contain folic acid. During menopause, it helps reduce the severity of its symptoms.

Acid is considered the most important element in the first trimester of pregnancy, as it helps the normal formation of the fetus. During the period of bearing a child, most pharmacological drugs are prohibited, so eating currants makes it possible to obtain a natural source to replenish the lack of vitamins and minerals. The active substances contained help maintain the pregnant woman’s immune system and help cope with anemia and edema. At the same time, a woman in a special situation should use currants with caution, since the berry can cause allergic reactions.

For the elderly

As people age, a variety of diseases begin to bother them. Older people often suffer from blood pressure, heart problems and high cholesterol levels. Inclusion in the diet of elderly people provides the following effect:

• sodium - improves the functioning of the nervous system, maintains acid-base balance;
• potassium - normalizes blood pressure and heart rhythm;
• calcium, fluorine - prevents the destruction of cartilage tissue, reduces the risk of developing joint diseases.

Currants improve blood composition and have a preventive effect in the fight against anemia.

For the little ones

Including currants in children's diet helps increase appetite, which has a positive effect on the growth and development of children.Due to the fact that berries belong to the category of strong allergens, they are not included in the diet of babies under 1 year of age. At a more mature age, the product is introduced gradually, giving a small amount of juice diluted with water.

The product is an additional source of vitamins and minerals, which children use with pleasure. The presence of calcium in the composition has a positive effect on the child’s bones and teeth, so berries are often included in the diet if there is a deficiency of this element in the body.

In what form can it be eaten?

It is useful to consume currants in any form; the easiest way is to consume the freshly harvested crop. Fresh berries are most beneficial when ripe. 14 days after removal from the bushes, the amount of vitamin C in the product can decrease by 70%. Frozen currants are less useful; the value of the product decreases slightly with this storage method.

Dried berries are considered a good substitute for fresh ones and are often used to prepare fillings for confectionery products and compotes.

Today, many varieties of black currant and its hybrids with other garden crops have been developed. Wild berries grow in Russian regions, which also have great value for the human body. It is called repis, and the forest variety has less sweetness than the garden variety.

Use for various diseases

The medicinal properties of the berry are used in the treatment of various diseases. Its healing properties have found application in alternative medicine; it is used to produce various pharmacological preparations to improve vision, replenish vitamin deficiencies and maintain immunity.Patients with intestinal diseases should approach the use of berries with caution.

Treatment of ARVI and colds

The medicinal properties of currants are used to treat colds and ARVI. You can use it in any form, but it is important to follow one rule. It is recommended to take the “tasty” remedy before bed, and if treatment is carried out during the day, then after that you need to lie down for 40 minutes.

Currant tea with honey will help relieve a severe cough. Tea with the addition of rose hips, prepared from 300 ml of hot water and 2 tbsp., will help improve your well-being and eliminate the feeling of lethargy and weakness. l. berries Often a cold is accompanied by a fever, which a berry infusion will help eliminate. It is prepared by boiling 20 berries in 250 ml water for 10 minutes.

Use for diathesis

To get rid of the consequences of diathesis, infusions and decoctions of dry currant leaves are used, which are poured when taking a bath. To obtain the effect and improve the condition of the skin, it is enough to take the water procedure for 10 minutes. The course of treatment is 10 sessions.

Folk currant recipes

In alternative medicine, currants are often used to treat colds. It has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiac and immune systems. Decoctions and infusions based on berries help cleanse the liver, as berries have the ability to remove toxins. For recipes, not only the fruits, but also the leaves of the plant are often used.

Blackcurrant with sugar

Black berries with sugar have a good ability to increase the body's immune properties. Currants with granulated sugar are often called “cold jam”, since the preparation does not involve heat treatment.“Tasty” medicine is useful for loss of strength, lack of vitamins and in the treatment of colds. For older people, it is considered a good remedy for combating atherosclerosis and maintaining normal blood pressure.

To prepare the healing product, the berries are ground using a sieve or passed through a meat grinder, after which the mixture is combined with sugar in a 1:2 ratio. Taking 3 tbsp is enough. l. per day to get improvement.

Juice

Blackcurrant juice helps cope with metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency, anemia and liver diseases. It is recommended to adhere to the following admission rules:

• The expectorant effect will be provided by ingesting 0.5 cups of juice and 1 tbsp. l. honey;
• Drinking 1 glass of juice daily will restore heart rhythm;
• An anti-inflammatory effect and a reduction in pain in the throat can be achieved by gargling with juice diluted with water in equal proportions.

Juice is not given to children under one year old, and at an older age it must be diluted with water. For stomach diseases, it should be taken taking into account contraindications.

Tincture

Currant tincture has the ability to increase hemoglobin levels, so its use is indicated for anemia. It helps cope with fatigue and vitamin deficiency, and is effective in stimulating the immune system. The tincture relieves coughing and hoarse throat, it provides an anti-inflammatory effect and facilitates the progression of colds. It is enough to take 250 ml of the product 3 times a day.

Currant tea

Tea with currants and honey has a general strengthening effect. To prepare it, take 2 tsp. currant leaves and pour 250 ml of boiling water, leaving to cool for 10 minutes.You can drink tea 3 times a day; if desired, you can add currants.

Decoction of buds, leaves and twigs

A currant-based decoction will help with pyelonephritis and urinary tract diseases. The product has a strong diuretic effect. To prepare it, take 6 tbsp. l. dry raw materials and pour 1 liter of water, leave for 24 hours, wrapping a container with liquid. In order to remove fluid from the body, take 200 ml 6 times a day.

Seed oil

Blackcurrant seed oil, when consumed orally, helps reduce cholesterol levels, improve liver function, increase immunity and reduce premenstrual syndrome. External application effectively helps in the treatment of skin diseases; it stimulates cell regeneration processes and gland ducts. Regular use eliminates the effects of allergies, normalizes the skin's water balance, and promotes rejuvenation.

Daily intake of fresh berries

The daily intake of berries per day depends on many factors. The main ones include age, presence of diseases and contraindications for use. Children over 2 years of age can be given no more than 3 berries per day. For women, the recommended amount is 30 fruits, for men 50.

Can it be used in cosmetology?

Black currant has found wide application in the field of cosmetology. It is included as an ingredient in creams and scrubs, masks for hair and skin, and shampoos. Thanks to its use, you can get rid of seborrhea and skin diseases.

To improve the structure of your hair, just rub a couple of drops of oil into the roots shortly before washing your hair. Warm oil baths for hands help improve the quality of nail plates.To eliminate skin defects, take water procedures or make compresses using a decoction of currant leaves.

Rubbing with berry cubes prepared from 100 ml of currant juice and 1 tbsp helps solve the problem of sagging skin. l. olive oil.

Contraindications and possible harm

The berries are not recommended for people prone to blood clots, as the berries increase blood clotting. It is undesirable to include berries in the menu after a recent heart attack or stroke. Who should not eat currants:

• those suffering from gastritis, stomach ulcers;
• hypertensive patients;
• patients taking enalapril-based medications;
• for diabetics.

Currants affect the formation of gastric juice, and in case of digestive problems, the product helps to improve the condition. The exception is gastritis, in which there is increased acidity; in this case, berries are contraindicated.

Is it possible to eat black currants if you have diabetes?

For type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the consumption of black currants is allowed and recommended. You can include in your diet not only fruits, but also decoctions and teas. When consumed fresh, it is permissible to consume 100 g of berries at one time.