Red Currant: Useful Properties

Red currant is used in cooking, folk medicine and cosmetology. Not only the berry and juice, but also the leaves of the plant have useful properties.

Red currant is used in cooking, folk medicine and cosmetology. Not only the berry and juice, but also the leaves of the plant have useful properties.

Red currant is a popular ingredient in the preparation of various culinary dishes. The berries themselves are sour, but they make excellent jams, compotes, tinctures and fillings for desserts. But many of us do not think that berries and juice make a dish not only tasty, but also useful for health.

Since ancient times, this plant has been called a source of useful substances. It contains organic acids, sugars, a set of vitamins , antioxidants, fiber, pectins, mineral elements, carotene. Thanks to this composition, the fruits, juice and leaves of the plant have found use in folk medicine. Currant improves bowel function, has antipyretic properties, restores appetite, helps prevent atherosclerosis, is used as a diuretic and bactericidal agent. It is part of creams and face masks, hair masks.

It is believed that, unlike black currants, there are practically no allergic reactions to red (as well as white) currants.

Let's consider its composition and useful properties in more detail.

Storage

Red currants contain fewer carbohydrates and sugars than black currants. Accordingly, its calorie content is lower (on average, 56 kcal per 100 g). This berry contains more organic acids (citric, malic, salicylic, succinic). It is inferior to black currant in terms of vitamin C content, but it is rich in vitamins A and B (especially B5 and B12). Its content of pectin substances, anthocyanins, and coumarins is important.

Vitamin C is responsible for the elasticity of blood vessels and tissues. Vitamin A is necessary for vision and good skin condition. B vitamins are important for the functioning of all body systems.

Succinic and malic acids belong to strong compounds that give energy, so they help maintain tone and recover after physical exertion. Pectins have a positive effect on digestive processes and cleanse the body from the inside. Anthocyanins are the most powerful antioxidants that promote the removal of cholesterol, that is, they are important for the prevention of atherosclerosis. Coumarins reduce blood coagulation, thereby contributing to the prevention of heart attacks.

In addition, this berry contains folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamins E and K, micro- and macroelements: potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc.

Useful properties

In traditional medicine, the fruits, juice and leaves of the plant are used.

Berries and dishes prepared from them help to increase appetite, improve the assimilation of animal protein and the work of the gastrointestinal tract. They have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. Berry infusion helps fight chronic constipation. Red currant berries have a positive effect on metabolism, contribute to the removal of cholesterol.

It is important that the berries are ripe and without damage. Useful properties are preserved in frozen berries.

As mentioned above, masks and lotions for the skin are prepared from the berries. They have a rejuvenating, toning effect, help fight pigment spots. And hair masks, which include red currant berries, contribute to their restoration and volume addition.

Berry juice has a tonic and refreshing effect, quenches thirst well. With colds, it helps reduce elevated body temperature due to its diaphoretic effect. It is used to stop nausea, improves intestinal peristalsis, helps to remove uric acid salts from the body, has laxative, diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic properties. Juice is recommended for spastic colitis and enterocolitis. It is used for gastritis with reduced acidity - juice and berries increase the acidity of gastric juice.

The leaves of the shrub are used to prepare infusions that are drunk in case of hypovitaminosis. Infusions are used as a diuretic and bactericidal agent for kidney pathologies, cystitis. Unlike berries and juice, currant leaves reduce the acidity of gastric juice. Therefore, tincture of them can be taken for peptic ulcer disease, gastritis with increased acidity.

Tea made from red currant leaves is useful for gout, rheumatism, and urolithiasis, as it promotes the excretion of uric acid.

If necessary, you can find many recipes of traditional medicine on the Internet, the basis of which are the fruits, juice or leaves of currants.

Contraindication

There are certain contraindications to the use of red currants. Its juice is contraindicated in stomach and duodenal ulcers, acute hepatitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, gallstone disease, blood coagulation disorders.