Black currant: benefits, harm, contraindications

Blackcurrant grows almost everywhere. It’s rare that a front garden can do without this plant. It looks unremarkable, and not everyone likes the taste. However, this berry is very healthy; it contains a lot of vitamin C and iron. Most often it is used to make preserves and jams, but it also keeps well frozen. And the most important thing is that after going through processing, currants do not lose their beneficial qualities.

The benefits of black currant

Those who are well versed in traditional medicine consider currants to be a real cornerstone of health. And all because it is simply over-enriched with vitamins.

Due to the high content of vitamin C, to meet the daily requirement, you only need to eat twenty berries. In addition to vitamin C, currants are also rich in anthocyanides, vitamins E, B, phosphorus, calcium, keratin, iron and so on.

However useful not just berries. The entire bush can, to one degree or another, have a positive effect on the human body. For example, young currant leaves are collected and brewed as tea. They have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. They don't have to be brewed fresh. If desired, it can be dried and used either alone or together with other herbs for brewing.

Among other things, currants perfectly strengthen the immune system and help prevent heart and vascular diseases. Able to cure diseases such as FLU, ARVI, acute respiratory infections, bronchitis. Decoctions of currant leaves are irreplaceable for pyelonephritis and cystitis. In small portions it is useful for stomach diseases.

Black currant can affect the human body in the following ways:

• lowers temperature;
• has a calming effect;
• is a good diuretic;
• cleanses the body;
• has a tonic effect;
• can have an anti-inflammatory effect;

Thanks to such a wide range of uses, currants help in the fight against many diseases. These can be diseases both inside the body and outside.

Currant berries are an excellent remedy for heartburn. It doesn’t matter in what form, frozen or fresh, they will quickly relieve your symptoms. And if you consume them constantly, the annoying problem will go away completely. In addition to the fact that this will completely relieve you of heartburn, it will also help strengthen blood vessels and increase their elasticity.

Black currants should be eaten by people suffering from diabetes. Because it is able to regulate blood sugar levels.

Currants have also found wide application in cosmetology. Due to the high kerotene content, both the berry itself and decoctions and extracts are used as the basis for masks and balms. It perfectly fights pigment spots and cleanses the skin.

Harm of black currant

It is advised to exclude black currants from the diet for people predisposed to blood clots. This is due to the fact that it contains vitamin K, which increases blood clotting. It is because of this aspect that doctors recommend that people who have suffered a stroke or heart attack refrain from using it in food.

Currants increase juice secretion in the stomach. Therefore, if a person suffers from high acidity, you need to be careful.

And one more limitation is individual intolerance.

Contraindications for black currant

Without a doubt, black currant is a healthy and even necessary berry for everyone to eat, due to many factors. However, it is introduced into children's diets with extreme caution. The thing is that its berries can cause an allergic reaction, the appearance of dermatosis and, in the most severe cases, swelling of the respiratory tract. To avoid negative consequences, children are given several berries in quantities, and then all that remains is to observe the body’s reaction. If nothing happens during the day, then there is no reason for concern.

There are the following reasons why you should not eat blackcurrant berries:

• It is forbidden to eat currants if you have hepatitis.
• If a person has increased acidity in the stomach.
• Ulcers of the intestines, stomach, duodenum, gastritis.
• Pregnancy. In this case, black currants should not be completely excluded from the diet. But the amount of berries consumed should be strictly limited. The daily serving size should be discussed with your doctor. It depends on the individual characteristics of the pregnant woman.

Blackcurrant during pregnancy

As mentioned above, pregnant women are not prohibited from eating black currants. For them, the most important aspect is to choose the right portion. After all, an excess of vitamins sometimes has a much worse effect on a person than their deficiency.

So what are the benefits of currants for pregnant women? What does she not do:

• Helps cope with abdominal upset, namely getting rid of diarrhea.
• Currants are great at helping moisture leave the body. And this helps get rid of swelling.
• One of the most important things for pregnant women is immunity. This is the health of both the child and the mother. Currants perfectly strengthen it and help protect against viral seasonal illnesses such as colds or flu.
• Currant berries or a decoction of young leaves help normalize blood pressure and improve heart function.

Can children eat blackcurrants?

This is a very complex issue that requires special attention. A child's body is structured completely differently than an adult's. And he perceives everything differently. It would seem that there could be no problem here. These are berries and they are only good for you! However, not everything is so simple. And there are many different aspects that are worth paying attention to before introducing both currants and any another berry.

You should start with what you need to know if your child has a predisposition to chronic diseases of the stomach or intestines. If yes, then you should postpone your acquaintance with the berry. Since, due to its characteristics, it can provoke the disease at an early age.

Another important aspect is the tendency to allergies. If your child suffers from this condition, do a reaction test first.

So that the first delicacy of berries does not turn into sad consequences for the child, acquaintance with them should be organized correctly. Doctors say that you can start giving berries to children as early as seven months.

It is best to give currants to your child without any impurities or additives. This will help him know the real taste of the berry.

And, of course, if the currants are not from your front garden, pay attention to the manufacturer. It is best to take berries from friends or private individuals. Since there is little benefit from berries from a greenhouse or large-scale production.

Treatment with black currant

Blackcurrant as a cure for hypertension

To prepare the medicine you will need:

• black currant 600 g;
• honey 5 tbsp;
• medicinal mineral water (Esentuki, Borjomi);

Prepare as follows:

1. Mash the currants until mushy; you can grind them in a blender.
2. Add honey to the resulting mass and mix thoroughly again.
3. Add water to the currant pulp and mix.

It should be a thick drink. It should be consumed in small portions, several times a day.

Juice as medicine

Black currant is an excellent remedy for colds and viral diseases. And its juice works great against coughs. All you need to do is warm the juice a little and add a spoonful of honey to it. It is good to drink this mixture before bed.

Blackcurrant juice also helps get rid of sore throat. Just dilute it with boiled water and gargle several times a day.