Content
The health benefits and harms of red currant are quite large - the berry helps to cope with ailments, has a cosmetic effect. To evaluate its properties, you need to carefully study the composition of the currant and how it is used.
Red currant berry composition
The chemical composition of small red fruits is very rich - they contain a lot of substances necessary for health. Namely:
- vitamin C;
- vitamins B and A;
- magnesium and potassium;
- iodine;
- vitamin E;
- biotin and folic acid;
- phosphorus and calcium;
- cellulose;
- vitamin PP;
- tannins.
Also, currants are rich in antioxidants, they contain many organic acids, pectins and coumarins.
Why is red currant useful for the human body?
The benefits of small red currant berries are that the fruits of the plant:
- supply the body with potassium and thereby improve the functioning of blood vessels and heart;
- have a mild analgesic effect in inflammatory processes;
- help to improve metabolism and effectively remove toxins and toxic substances from the digestive system;
- help to strengthen blood vessels and protect against the development of atherosclerosis;
- increase immune resistance and help to avoid colds even in the cold season;
- improve kidney function, as they serve as a natural diuretic and remove excess fluids from tissues;
- regulate blood pressure, improve blood supply to the brain and prevent the development of strokes;
- have a beneficial effect on the work of the gallbladder;
- protect against vitamin deficiency and promote recovery from severe ailments and operations;
- strengthen the skin, hair and nails, and also start the renewal processes in the cells;
- improve the assimilation of nutrients that come with food.
Eating red currants is beneficial for the prevention of cancer. Antioxidants in fruits prevent the development of cancerous tumors and can slow down the course of existing cancer.
Why is red currant useful for women
The beneficial properties of red currants for women are the beneficial effects of berries on the reproductive system. Eating the fruits is useful for painful and irregular periods - currants help to establish a cycle and relieve discomfort. Iron in the composition of the product allows you to replenish blood loss during heavy menstruation, and during menopause, the berries even out the emotional background.
Eating red currants is useful during pregnancy, first of all, it helps to cope with attacks of toxicosis. Folic acid in the composition of the product has a positive effect on the fetus. Thanks to red currants, pregnant women suffer less from edema - the berry removes excess fluid from the tissues.
Useful properties of red currant for men
For men, red currant also brings a lot of benefits. Due to the fact that the red berry improves blood circulation, the use of the product has a positive effect on potency and libido. The anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit can prevent prostatitis and reduce unpleasant manifestations in the existing disease.
It is useful for athletes to use red currant. The product improves tissue metabolism, strengthens the heart muscle and increases endurance, which means it makes training more effective and safer.
The benefits of red currant berries for children
For children, red currant will be very useful, it will help improve the blood composition, strengthen the immune system and avoid vitamin deficiency. The fruits contain a large amount of vitamin B - currants are useful for the development of the muscular and nervous systems, for improving concentration and memory. The use of berries has a beneficial effect on the work of the intestines and avoids constipation.
It is allowed to give red currants to children after 7 months of life - in small quantities and in the form of a soft puree. If the child does not develop food allergies, then the dosage can be increased later.
Medicinal properties of red currant and contraindications
The benefits of red currants for the human body are especially pronounced in some diseases. Applying fresh berries or as part of fruit drinks and decoctions is useful for the following ailments.
- Colds and coughs... Red currant quickly reduces high fever, has a mucolytic effect and removes phlegm, eliminates nasal congestion and general malaise.
- Cystitis... Infusions based on red currant help relieve inflammation and reduce pain.
- Weakened immunity... The product contains a huge amount of vitamins, especially a lot of vitamin C, therefore, when consumed against the background of reduced immunity, the red berry is of great benefit.
- Nearsightedness, hyperopia and inflammatory eye diseases... The anti-inflammatory properties of berries help get rid of irritation and cramps in the eyes with infectious ailments and microtraumas. And a large amount of carotenoids in berries helps to strengthen the visual apparatus and protects against a decrease in visual acuity.
- Low acid gastritis, flatulence and nausea... Currant speeds up the digestive processes and improves the absorption of nutrients, therefore it is beneficial for the listed ailments. The digestive system starts to work faster.
- Insomnia and anxiety... Red currants are rich in magnesium and therefore are a good medicine for stress and sleep problems.
- Urolithiasis disease... The diuretic properties of the product are beneficial in the presence of small stones - the red berry not only relieves puffiness, but also helps to get rid of sand and small stones in the kidneys.
- Weakened blood vessels and heart ailments. Due to its high potassium content, currants are very useful as a prophylaxis for atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Eating red berries can help lower cholesterol levels, equalize blood pressure and heart rate.
- Constipation... Red currant stimulates peristalsis due to the presence of fiber in its composition and also has a positive effect on the intestinal microflora. With regular use of berries, the stool is normalized.
- Bile outflow disorders... Red berry acts as a natural choleretic agent and helps prevent gallstones from forming.
- Slagging of the body... Eating red currants helps to remove accumulated toxins, salts, urea and toxins from the tissues.
- Diseases of the thyroid gland... Red currants contain iodine, therefore, using it with the permission of a doctor is useful for problems with the thyroid gland.
- Excess weight... It is useful to use red berries on a diet - currants help to get rid of unnecessary pounds, but at the same time maintain a healthy balance of vitamins and trace elements in the body.
The benefits and harms of red currants for the body largely depend on dosages.So that the product does not harm, you need to consume the fruits in an amount of no more than 50 g per day.
For all its benefits, red fruits have a number of serious contraindications. You need to refuse them:
- with pancreatitis and stomach ulcers in the acute stage - red berries contain a large amount of organic acids and irritate the mucous membranes;
- with exacerbation of colitis and gastritis with high acidity, in these cases, currants will also harm;
- with a tendency to allergies - any red berries in this case pose an increased danger, and you need to use red currants in small quantities;
- with absolute intolerance to the product;
- in the presence of large stones in the kidneys and gallbladder - the properties of red currants can lead to the fact that the stones move from their place and cause severe pain.
It is necessary to use red fruits with caution with sensitive tooth enamel - organic acids in the composition of a useful product can cause painful sensations. If you have a problem after eating currant fruits, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with clean water.
Application of red currant
Useful properties and contraindications of red currant are in great demand in several areas at once. The berries of the plant are eaten, with their help they treat chronic ailments and take care of the external beauty of the skin and hair.
In folk medicine
It's good for your health even to just eat fresh currant berries as a light snack. But the best effect for some ailments is given by healing agents made from ripe red fruits.
- Infusion for constipation... In case of disturbances in the work of the intestines, it is necessary to pour 3 large tablespoons of berries with a glass of hot water and insist for 6 hours. Filter the finished infusion, and then drink 1 glass daily until the stool returns to normal.
- Diuretic juice... With edema and sand in the kidneys, fresh currant juice diluted with water helps well. Red berries must be squeezed through cheesecloth so that about 100 ml of juice is obtained, and then diluted with the same amount of water. You need to drink the product for a month, 200 ml per day, the daily portion can be divided into 2-3 doses.
- Anti-inflammatory decoction... With cystitis and other inflammatory processes in the body, a decoction based on red currant berries and leaves is beneficial. Raw materials in the amount of 20 g are poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted under the lid for 3 hours, and then filtered. You need to drink the product within a week three times a day, 50 ml each.
In cooking
The health benefits of red currants are evident in culinary uses as well. Many delicious and valuable dishes are prepared on the basis of berries. For example, currants are used to make:
- juices, fruit drinks and compotes;
- preserves, jams and homemade marmalade;
- sauces;
- filling for pies and pies;
- alcoholic homemade liqueurs and liqueurs.
Also, red berries are added to ice cream and light fruit and berry salads.
The recipe for red currant-based jam is popular - it has a pleasant aroma and sweet taste with a slight sourness. Prepare jam as follows:
- about 1.5 kg of red currants are washed and dried for several minutes on a thin towel;
- then the berries are kneaded with a wooden crush in a large colander and the resulting puree is pushed through tightly folded cheesecloth into a saucepan;
- fresh currant juice in a saucepan is thoroughly mixed with 1.2 kg of granulated sugar, it is necessary to achieve complete homogeneity;
- the sweet syrup is boiled for 10 minutes, and then immediately rolled into sterile jars while hot.
You can store jam in the refrigerator, and use it with sandwiches for breakfast or as a dessert for dinner.A healthy and tasty treat that does no harm to your figure.
Another well-known recipe tells how to make a sweet-sour compote based on red currant berries.
- Red currants in the amount of 2 glasses are washed, slightly dried, and then kneaded until mashed in a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, a large saucepan with 3 liters of water is placed on the stove.
- After the water boils, put red berry puree in a saucepan and wait until it boils again.
- Immediately after this, the pan is removed from the heat and allowed to cool to room temperature.
When the compote becomes a little warm, you will need to add 3 large tablespoons of honey to it and mix well. A drink without sweeteners will taste too sour, and honey will make it much nicer.
In cosmetology
Home cosmetology is also actively using red currant. You can list several useful properties of currant berries.
- The valuable properties of red berries help to improve the health of the skin of the face, currants soothes irritations and nourishes the skin, evens out wrinkles and eliminates acne.
- On the basis of currants, you can prepare homemade anti-cellulite scrubs, a healthy puree of mashed berries, combined with other ingredients, helps to get rid of the crust on the thighs and make the skin smoother.
- With the help of currants, hair can be strengthened and its increased fragility can be eliminated. It is enough to add red healthy berries to hair masks a couple of times a week, so that after a few applications the result becomes noticeable.
At home, you can make the following useful currant-based face masks.
- From wrinkles... Crushed red currants are mixed with natural honey and low-fat sour cream in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. The mask is kept on the face for about 20 minutes, then gently washed off with warm water.
- Dry skin... Fresh currant juice in the amount of 2 small spoons is mixed with honey and fat cottage cheese in equal proportions and kept on the skin for only about 10 minutes. The mask has an excellent moisturizing effect.
- For oily skin... With enlarged pores and increased production of subcutaneous fat, it is recommended to mix in equal amounts fresh juice from healthy red berries and wheat flour, and then distribute the mask over the face and wait for it to solidify. Then the product is washed off. Red currants in combination with flour help to narrow pores and normalize fat production.
- Whitening... Mix currant puree and milk in equal amounts - half a glass each. After that, you need to moisten a thin clean cloth or gauze in the resulting product and put a homemade mask on your face for 5-7 minutes.
It is recommended to apply any of the masks at least twice a week, then the effect of them will come very quickly.
Calorie content of berries
100 g of healthy currant fruits contain about 39 calories. This makes it possible to use red currants without fear - berries are a very dietary product and never lead to excess weight.
Conclusion
The health benefits and harms of red currants are manifested in a wide variety of areas. You need to use small red berries with caution, having previously familiarized yourself with the contraindications. But if the currant does not pose a threat to health, then the beneficial effect from it will be very high.
