Blackcurrant: beneficial properties and contraindications for the human body

Today, blackcurrants can be seen on a significant part of household plots. Berries are valued for their pronounced rich taste and smell, many have heard about the usefulness of the product. What useful properties and contraindications blackcurrant has, you should find out in advance, which will help you get the most out of them.

What elements and vitamins are rich in berries

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

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

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

Because of its rich composition and usefulness, currants are often called the "garden pharmacy". It contains various trace elements that can simultaneously positively influence the functioning of the whole organism.

Effect on the body

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

• phytoncides - adversely affect microbes and viruses;
• acids - increase appetite, increase the production of gastric juice, provide an antimicrobial effect;
• pectin - improves the functioning of the intestines, prevents the absorption of "bad" cholesterol, ensures the removal of toxins and heavy metals;
• tannins - help keep food in the stomach, which allows for better absorption of food;
• essential oils - provide a disinfecting effect, promote wound healing.

B group vitamins normalize energy processes, increase the ability to assimilate 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 faster recovery of patients after surgery.

Useful properties of fruits

A distinctive feature of the currant 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 the winter, a variety of recipes are used, jams, 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 on the menu reduces the risk of their occurrence.

It is a popular potency remedy and is often recommended for sexual problems.

Benefits for women and expectant mothers

The composition of the currant contains a high content of vitamins and minerals, so the regular use of berries helps to improve the condition of the skin, 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 of losing weight. It is rich in vitamins A and C, which contribute to a better breakdown of fats, so the use of berries contributes to a better result of weight loss. The product helps to remove excess fluid, which also has a beneficial effect on the process of losing weight.

Folic acid is present in currants. During menopause, it helps to 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 preparations are prohibited, so the use of currants makes it possible to obtain a natural source to compensate for the lack of vitamins and minerals. The active substances contained help to maintain the immune system of a pregnant woman, help to cope with anemia and edema. At the same time, a woman in a special position should use currants with caution, since the berry can cause allergic reactions.

For the elderly

With age, people begin to worry about a variety of diseases. Older people often suffer from pressure, they are worried about the heart and high cholesterol. 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 rate;
• calcium, fluorine - prevents the destruction of cartilage, reduces the risk of developing joint diseases.

Currant improves blood composition and has a preventive effect in the fight against anemia.

For the little ones

The inclusion of currants in the diet of children helps to increase appetite, which has a positive effect on the growth and development of babies. Due to the fact that berries are classified as strong allergens, they are not included in the diet of babies under 1 year old. 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 that children use with pleasure. The presence of calcium in the composition has a positive effect on the bones and teeth of the child, so berries are often included in the diet with a deficiency of this element in the body.

In what form can be eaten

Currant is useful to use in any form, the easiest way is to use a freshly harvested crop. Fresh berries are most useful at the time of ripening. 14 days after removal from the bushes, the amount of vitamin C in the product can be reduced by 70%. Frozen currants are less useful, the value of the product decreases slightly with this method of storage.

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

Today, many varieties of blackcurrant and its hybrids with other horticultural crops have been bred. On the territory of the Russian regions, wild berries grow, 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 for the production of various pharmacological preparations to improve vision, compensate for vitamin deficiencies and maintain immunity. Caution should be exercised when using berries in patients with bowel disease.

Treatment of SARS and colds

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

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

Use for diathesis

To get rid of the effects of diathesis, infusions and decoctions of dry currant leaves are used, which are poured in when taking a bath. To obtain the effect and improve the condition of the skin, it is enough to take a 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 heart and immune system. Decoctions and infusions based on berries help to 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 cooking does not involve heat treatment. "Delicious" medicine is useful in case of loss of strength, lack of vitamins and in the treatment of colds. For the elderly, it is considered a good remedy for fighting atherosclerosis and maintaining normal blood pressure.

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

Juice

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

• expectorant action will provide ingestion of 0.5 cups of juice and 1 tbsp. l. honey;
• restore the rhythm of the heart daily drinking 1 glass of juice;
• anti-inflammatory action and reduction of pain discomfort in the throat will help to achieve 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. In diseases of the stomach, 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 to cope with fatigue and beriberi, is effective for stimulating the immune system. The tincture relieves an attack of coughing, hoarseness of the throat, it provides an anti-inflammatory effect and facilitates the course 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. For its preparation, 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 you wish, you can add currant berries.

Decoction of buds, leaves and twigs

Decoction based on currant will help with pyelonephritis and diseases of the urinary tract. The drug has a strong diuretic effect. To prepare it, take 6 tbsp. l. dry raw materials and pour 1 liter of water, insist 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 taken orally, helps lower 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 glandular ducts. Regular use eliminates the effects of allergies, normalizes the water balance of the skin, promotes rejuvenation.

Fresh berries per day

The daily intake of berries per day depends on many factors. The main ones include age, the presence of diseases and contraindications for admission. Children from 2 years of age are allowed to give no more than 3 berries per day. For women, the recommended amount is 30 fruits, for men 50.

Can it be used in cosmetology

Blackcurrant is widely used in the field of cosmetology. It is included as an ingredient in creams and scrubs, masks for hair and skin, shampoos. Thanks to its use, you can get rid of seborrhea and skin diseases.

To improve the structure of the hair, it is enough to rub a couple of drops of oil into the roots shortly before washing your hair. Warm oil baths for hands help to improve the quality of the nail plates. To eliminate skin defects, water procedures are taken or compresses are made using a decoction of currant leaves.

To solve the problem of sagging skin, rubbing with berry cubes made from 100 ml of currant juice and 1 tbsp. l. olive oil.

Contraindications and possible harm

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

• suffering from gastritis, stomach ulcers;
• hypertension patients;
• patients taking enalapril-based drugs;
• diabetics.

Currant acts on 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 which case the berries are contraindicated.

Is it possible to eat blackcurrant with diabetes

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

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