Beneficial properties and harm of red currants for the health of women and men and contraindications

There is probably no such person who does not have a bush with sweet and sour red berries growing in his garden plot. Many people love red currants because of their beneficial properties, while remembering that they can also be harmful to health. Berries, as well as seeds, leaves and branches are considered suitable for consumption. Proper use of currants will relieve diseases of children, the elderly and even pregnant women.

Composition of red currant

It is known that red berries contain a large amount of vitamins, micro- and macroelements, as well as acids of organic origin. Thanks to the balanced composition of components, it has an incredible taste. Among the number of useful components, beta-carotene is distinguished. Supports normal functioning of the body.

The sugar content in berries is 7.7 g per 100 g of product. The substance is presented in the form of mono- and disaccharides. In terms of acidity it is in second place after white. Black currants, unlike red currants, are not as sharp.

Vitamins

Currants are a product that contains a whole table of vitamins. Despite this, the composition is diverse. In first place are vitamins A and C. Currant berries are among the leaders in the content of the B group of vitamins. It also contains E, PP, H and niacin.

Microelements and macroelements

What is red currant rich in compared to other berries and fruits? The chemical composition is also varied - potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iodine and iron. Fatty acids and organic substances, fiber and simple carbohydrates are the components that make up the nutritional value of the berry.

Housewives often wonder how much pectin is in currant branches. The quantity is quite enough to obtain jam or thick preserves at the end of cooking. The berries also contain pigment and tannins, nitrogen compounds and tannins. Due to the high concentration of coumarins, currants can compete with pomegranates and figs. These fruits are the record holders for the content of these compounds.

Calorie content

100 g of fresh product contains 39 kcal. The indicator changes when the berries are dried and rises to 280 kcal. Based on the amount of carbohydrates, it is better to eat fresh berries. People who are losing weight and those on a special diet should consume dried berries in rare cases.

What can be used

Some housewives make berry jam for the winter. They don’t even suspect that all parts of the bush have benefits. Not only the berries, but also the leaves and twigs are considered edible. They can be dried for the winter and stored in closed containers.

Berries

The first thing that currants are valued for is their berries. A person can eat them and not even suspect that they are a real medicine for the body. Red currant reduces body temperature during colds. A few berries will solve digestive problems. When eaten fresh, they eliminate nausea and restore a person’s former appetite.

Leaves

Traditional medicine, in addition to berries, advises stocking up on bush leaves. The green part of the plant has medicinal properties. The liquid obtained by steaming the leaves will help get rid of hypovitaminosis. Currant leaf tea treats cystitis. Unlike sour berries, the leaves can be eaten during exacerbations of gastritis.

Bones

Lovers of delicate berry jams try to get rid of the seeds at the time of preparation. Seeds - a source of essential oil that can be taken for cosmetic purposes. It is squeezed out at home using a press. Squeezing currant seeds relieves discomfort during the menstrual cycle and joint diseases.

Processed berries often leave behind small seeds. You should not try to throw them away as quickly as possible. They might come in handy.

Twigs

Used for circulatory disorders and atherosclerosis. The branches are harvested for the winter and tea is brewed. You can create real mixtures with the addition of other herbs, including berries. The drink will not only warm you up in winter, but will also improve the functioning of your entire body.

Benefits and harms

The benefits of berries are as follows:

• normalization of the gastrointestinal tract;
• elimination of swelling in the limbs;
• protein absorption;
• excellent prevention of osteoporosis;
• relieves anemia.

Red currant reduces the risk of developing epilepsy attacks. Regular use will protect against hemorrhage. Juices and fruit drinks are useful when carrying a child. Despite the positive aspects and value of the berry, it can cause harm to the body. You should avoid using sweet currants in case of increased blood clotting, hemophilia and diseases that are in the acute stage.

How does it affect the female and male body?

The benefits for women are primarily manifested in its cosmetic features. Frequent consumption of berries promotes rejuvenation from the inside. Under the influence of currant components, the thyroid gland resumes full function. Berries have a positive effect on a woman’s hormonal levels and restore metabolic processes.

Currants should be in a woman’s daily diet during her period. Thanks to it, iron deficiency is restored and at the same time the composition of the blood improves.

The healing properties of currants will be useful not only for the fair half of humanity, but also for the strong. She regains her strength after grueling physical training. Berry is an indispensable component in the diet of professional athletes. It is also good for health in old age, as it restores sexual function, improving a person’s sexual activity.

Boosts immunity

Various drinks are prepared from the berries; it can be exclusively currants or a mix with the addition of other fruits. The berry drink restores the body's protective functions. Eliminates traces of apathy and fatigue, gives strength at the end of the working day. In winter, fresh juices can be replaced with jam, which is also useful for making drinks.

It is an excellent prevention of influenza and other colds.

Improves vision

Currant berries received this feature thanks to vitamin A in their composition. In this regard, sweet and sour fruits will be useful not only for treatment. Healthy people may find it useful as a preventive measure.

Helps the digestive system

To improve intestinal function, you only need a handful of berries. A few branches not only restore the digestion process, but also restore appetite. Fiber normalizes metabolic processes and takes part in the creation of normal intestinal microflora. For gastritis, take twigs or leaves instead of berries. Substances found in juicy fruits contribute to better absorption of protein foods.

Cleansing effect

The cleansing process occurs not only in the vessels, but also in all organs.The blood is cleansed of negative substances that lead to disruption of the functionality of all systems in the body. Currants remove waste and toxins.

Choleretic effect

Drinks made from fruits have a choleretic effect. At the same time, it differs from other products with this feature in the softness of its effect. Currants are useful for kidney disease, colitis and liver, as they are able to remove excess bile from the body.

Preventing constipation

Having problems with digestion, a person often experiences constipation. Taking currants allows you to forget about the problem. Berries take an active part in the digestion of food. Bushes with fragrant fruits are one of the best natural remedies that help get rid of chronic constipation.

Anti-aging effect

Vitamin A in the composition can not only restore vision, but also the beauty of skin, hair and nails. Currant substances, when entering the body, have a beneficial effect on organs. As a result of the establishment of basic vital processes, a person’s appearance also improves. The juice is used to make a cleansing facial tonic. The pulp is useful for creating masks.

Affects the cardiovascular system

Currants are an excellent prevention of heart attacks. Effective for disorders of the cardiovascular system. Thanks to the content of potassium salts, the performance of the heart muscle is normalized. Helps maintain blood vessels and the heart in normal condition.

Calms nerves

Decoctions, teas and currant tinctures are indicated for poor functioning of the nervous system. They help a person calm down at a time of overexcitement. They relieve nervous tension, making a person calm and balanced.

Helps you lose weight

Currants, like other berries and fruits, make up the diet of a person who is struggling with excess weight.Dried fruits are restricted. As moisture loss occurs, calorie levels increase. Included in a healthy diet.

Diuretic

Red currant tinctures help get rid of cystitis. Thanks to its diuretic effect, it flushes out pathogenic viruses and bacteria from the body, which provoke the development of diseases. It is useful to drink currant tea when you have a cold.

In what form is it best to consume?

There is no clear answer to this question. Each part of the currant has many benefits.

Fresh berries

Can be eaten separately from other foods. Berries are a good snack. The twig can add variety to porridge or cottage cheese casseroles. It is better to eat fresh when the fruit is ripe.

Redcurrant tea

To prepare the drink, dried berries are used, since fresh ones make compote. The hot drink is made from the fruit, as well as from the twigs and leaves. Dried raw materials are poured with boiling water and cooked over low heat. After this you can drink tea.

Redcurrant tincture

It is a type of tea. Prepared in a similar way. The ingredients do not need to be simmered. The mass is poured with hot water and left to infuse.

Currant juice

Prepared using a juicer. It is good to drink a fresh drink in the morning after breakfast. Just one glass contributes to the proper functioning of the digestive system. To preserve most of the beneficial components, the juice is prepared just before use.

Dried

To support the body throughout the whole year, currants are dried. The loss of moisture allows the preparations to be made and stored for a long time. Teas and tinctures are made from the fruits. Dry currants are a great addition to baked goods.

Frozen

In addition to drying, there is another way to prepare currants for the winter. Freezing also allows you to preserve a maximum of vitamins and other nutrients. Berries from the freezer, when thawed, taste like fresh ones. You can also store a currant-sugar mixture, which resembles jam, at low temperatures.

For what diseases is it recommended to include in the diet?

Currant is a berry that is often used in folk medicine. What diseases does it treat? First of all, these are colds, which are accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. Allows you to get rid of fever, cough and runny nose.

To cure colds, hot tea is made from currants. Most often, jam, leaves and twigs are used for this. What else does the berry cure? Used for various pathologies. The main goal is to relieve symptoms and speed up recovery. Therapeutic procedures in the form of tea and tinctures are pleasant for every person.

Special instructions for use

Treatment will give a positive result if you know how much currants you can eat if you are sick. If for some reason berries are prohibited, you should use other parts of the bush.

For diabetes

With this disease, sweet fruits are prohibited. A good alternative are those that have a sour taste. Helps improve metabolic processes in diabetics.

For pancreatitis

Berries should be eaten with great caution. If the condition worsens, they should be abandoned. Otherwise, relapse of the disease cannot be avoided.

During pregnancy

Allowed for women in an interesting position. But it is recommended to consume in reasonable quantities.

For children

Indicated for babies 8 months of age.In rare cases, they provoke allergies.

Daily consumption rates

Every person is interested in how much currants can be eaten per day. What amount will not harm the body? You can only eat a handful of fresh berries at a time. Due to the sour taste, a person is unlikely to want more. If it is jam, a few tablespoons are allowed. It contains sugar, so it is not recommended to abuse sweetness.

Existing contraindications

Due to its sour taste, currants should not be consumed if:

• acute pancreatitis, gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers;
• hepatitis;
• hemophilia.

If currants cause allergic reactions, they should be avoided completely. In this case, it is similar to citrus fruits. When exposed to organic acids, it can lead to caries. Excessive acid damages tooth enamel. Abuse of red currants causes the development of diarrhea.