Red currant: health benefits and harm, calorie content

Beautiful spreading bushes, on which small red berries are generously scattered , are familiar to every person. Many of us like to please ourselves with sour yummy from the freshly picked branches, or to enjoy the taste of compotes, juices and jams from it. "Berry of life" - this honorable title has been worn by the red currant for many centuries, the benefits and harm of which are described in the article presented below.

What is this berry?

A remedy for maintaining beauty, improving health and prolonging life. And all this, too, is red currant, the benefits and harm of which have been known to our ancestors since ancient times. It was often used in folk medicine, especially in the northern and western parts of Russia, where it is most common. Today, the currant is called "ivan berries", as it ripens to the Ivanovo day - June 24. Still it is called "porechkoy" due to the fact that in the wild it loves to grow along the banks of the river.

The currant bushes are unpretentious, they tolerate frosts well and give a generous harvest. Therefore, it is not necessary to plant them in large quantities. One bush is enough for one small family: with qualitative care, it can bring 10 kilograms of berries. Collected fruits are not recommended for a long time to store in the refrigerator - they can sour. Therefore, it is better to freeze them or rub them with sugar. For cooking dishes, use not only berries, but also the bones of the red currant - they have the same benefits and harm as the fruits.

Chemical composition

Red currant is rich in Group B vitamins, including riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, folic acid and pantothenic acid. It is a thousand times more antioxidants than in any other berry. Of course, it is inferior to black currant in the amount of ascorbic acid, but it has a lot of pectin and carotene, so it excretes so much toxins and toxins from the body. Also, the fruit contains many trace elements, such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium and potassium.

To lose weight, red currant is often used . Calorie, benefits and harms of berries are known to every nutritionist. If there are no special contraindications for a fat person, he is recommended to enrich her with a diet. Firstly, for 100 grams of fruit, only 43 calories fall. Secondly, as we have already seen, there are many useful substances in them, which, among other things, contribute to the acceleration of metabolism. In addition, the currant has many phenolic compounds, organic acids, dietary fiber and sugars, which makes it an invaluable food for adults and children.

Increased immunity

Since berries contain a large amount of ascorbic acid, it is recommended to be used by young children, who often suffer from colds and flu. Fruits increase the level of immunity, improve the resistance of the body, which in the cold season is prone to attacking viruses and bacteria. For the same purposes, red currant is necessary in pregnancy. The benefits and harms of berries will be told by a gynecologist or a specialized specialist. If the future mother does not have problems with the digestive system, she will be advised to include in the diet natural fruits instead of the same vitamin C from the pharmacy.

Beta-carotene is also present in the product. And he, as is known, is also an agent that promotes the development of immunity. In the body, on a pair with ascorbic acid, it seems to create an invisible shield that can protect against getting into the pathogens. It is clear that strong immunity helps to cope not only with cold infections, but also with intestinal and other diseases.

The cardiovascular system

Influence on this part of the body is one of the strongest points that the red currant possesses. Benefits and harm to health in it are disproportionate: the first is much more than the second. It is especially recommended for CCC diseases. A powerful therapeutic effect is provided by such substances:

1. Potassium - he has the main role in the normalization of the functioning of the heart muscle.
2. Iron - stimulates the formation of hemoglobin, promotes the process of blood formation.
3. Coumarins - prevent heart attack, stroke and the appearance of blood clots. Well liquefy the blood.
4. Pectins - prevent the penetration of cholesterol into the intestine, guard against atherosclerosis.

Now you know how useful the currant for the "cores". They are simply vital that the fruits are present on the table in great abundance. In winter, you can drink compotes, savor jams, fragrant jams and desserts, for the preparation of which you use frozen or wiped with sugar berry.

Benefits for eyes and stomach

Prevention of ophthalmic diseases is another "field of activity" of red currants. The same beta-carotene, which is present in the fruit, directly affects the sensitivity of the eye. In a word, this substance helps collect light on the retina of the optic. If the same number of currants and blueberries, which is also very useful for the eyes, you can achieve not only improve the work of the visual apparatus, but also prevent a lot of problems associated with it.

It is recommended that red currant is also used to improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract. The benefits and harms of it here, however, are practically balanced. In this case, a doctor's consultation is necessary in order not to harm yourself and not exacerbate the problem. For example, the berry will be an ideal means for stimulating intestinal motility and increasing the secretion of digestive glands. It can also be used for constipation and gastritis with low acidity. Berry juice helps to remove salts and toxins from the body, and can also be used as a local hemostatic. At the same time it can not be used by those who suffer from gastric ulcers and gastritis with high acidity.

Other currant properties

All of the above is not a complete list of the properties of the berry. What is useful for currants yet? First, it normalizes the hormonal background due to iodine: it acts on the thyroid gland. It starts to work in the right direction, producing the necessary hormones for the vital functions of the body. Secondly, the fruits - a source of vitamins, and hence energy. All substances contained in the berry are easily digested. And even the sugar, which is present here, is good for health, as it is presented in the form of fructose. It does not load the pancreas, so the currant is recommended even for diabetics.

Third, berries are a preventative against cancer. All because they have vitamin E - a strong and effective antioxidant. Together with beta-carotene and ascorbic acid, he is able to perform miracles, preventing the development of malignant formations. In addition, currant has anti-inflammatory properties. Compress of fruit juice is often applied to the affected areas of the skin, thereby removing redness, itching and unpleasant peeling.

Contraindications

These two concepts have become synonymous: red currant is good. And the damage, it would seem, is completely excluded. And here not. There are a number of diseases in which the consumption of fruits is highly undesirable. Contraindications are: gastritis with high acidity, stomach ulcer, hepatitis and hemophilia.

In addition, berries are banned for people suffering from food allergies. Especially it concerns to kids: often till 2-3 years they do not transfer any red berries: a raspberry, a cherry, a strawberry and a red currant. The use of berries causes them redness of the skin, rashes, itching, indigestion. To check the presence of allergies, it is enough to give the child a couple drops of juice and watch his condition. If it has not changed, you can gradually introduce red currant in the diet. By the way, there are a lot of people whose organism does not perceive fresh fruits, but they can safely eat the dishes cooked from them, which have been heat treated: compotes, jams, desserts. In this form, they are not afraid of red currant, the benefits and harm to health described above.

You did not know about it

Red currant was always in price. In ancient times the berry was called a "monastic fruit", as it was grown near monastic cells and other religious buildings. Again, exclusively for medicinal purposes. Even then, representatives of the clergy noted that the immature currant is of great benefit. And indeed, when the technology developed enough to check the chemical composition of the product, it was found that in the unripe currant of vitamin C is more. And not only him.

Breaking berries from a bush, do not throw out leaves - they too contain a lot of substances necessary for a person. Of these, it is recommended to make broths and tinctures from various diseases. To learn interesting recipes, look into any encyclopedia of folk medicine and sorcery: there is described in detail the red currant, benefits and harm, the preparation of miracle elixirs from berries, their correct application. Remember that fruits are honey-plants: a sweet product from them can be used as a preventive and curative remedy during seasonal colds. In addition, in the cooking of currants make delicious sauces, and from its juice - natural food colorings.