Blackcurrant: health benefits and harms

Black fruits of currant bush are widespread in our country. Jam, compote, jelly, juice are popular, and nobody will refuse to enjoy fresh berries.

The plant belongs to the Kryzhovnikov family and reaches a height of 1–1.5 m.

What is the difference between black currant and red

1. Black berry, unlike red, has a more pronounced aroma and sweet taste.
2. Blackcurrant contains 4 times more vitamin C.
3. The life span of a bush with black berries averages 7 years, for red currants this indicator is higher - 10-12 years.
4. The bush of black currant is propagated by the method of cuttings, red - division.
5. The nutritional value of red and black currants is 38 and 45 kcal, respectively.
6. The name of the fruit indicates the difference from each other in color.

What is more useful: black or red currants

Blackcurrant berry is superior to the red relative in terms of the number of important components. This is due to the significant concentration of vitamin C in the fruits of the bush. For this reason, the berries have found great application in the folk and traditional method of treatment. They are used for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.

But you should not consume a large number of fruits, there are serious contraindications, which will be discussed below.

How much can you eat blackcurrant per day

Currant fruits have low calorie content and good tolerance. It is difficult to say how many berries can be eaten in one day. Experts recommend starting on this issue from the amount of natural sugar found in fruits.

A healthy person is allowed to consume up to 25 g of natural sugar per day. Such an amount of fructose is contained in 6 cups of currant, that is, you should not deny yourself a healthy treat. A person with overweight, as well as a patient with diabetes, is recommended to limit sugar intake to 15 g, which corresponds to 4 cups of currant.

It is important to understand that such amounts of fructose are allowed, provided that currants are the only source of natural sugar.

Can I eat at night

With a strong desire to have a snack in the late evening, you can afford a few berries, but you should not load the stomach 2-3 hours before bedtime. In addition, the fruits of the bush contain substances that can increase the acidity of the stomach, and the skin and seeds of currant are difficult to digest.

Composition and calorie content

The composition of the berry includes a huge number of important components with a relatively small nutritional value. 100 g of berries contain vitamin C - 200 mg, iron - 1.3 mg, potassium - 372 mg. Calorie content is 45 kcal.

The chemical composition of berries is presented:

• vitamins A, C, B, D, E, PP;
• pectins;
• natural sugar;
• essential oil;
• phosphorus salts;
• iron;
• potassium.

Shrub leaves contain vitamins, macro- and microelements, as well as essential oil.

Useful properties of black currant

General benefit

What is the product useful for:

• interferes with stagnation of bile and accelerates the withdrawal of fluid;
• normalizes heart function, strengthens blood vessels;
• used to prevent the occurrence of a heart attack;
• has a positive effect on the brain;
• eliminates bowel problems;
• reduces inflammatory processes and promotes the regeneration of damaged cells;
• regulates glucose levels;
• calms the nervous system;
• reduces the harmful effects of radioactive elements;
• normalizes metabolic processes;
• prevents the growth of cancer cells.

For women

Currant berries - a natural gift that has a beneficial effect on the health of the fair sex.

Beneficial features:

1. The use of berries during the course of diseases of the genitourinary system contributes to the most rapid recovery by reducing the inflammatory process.
2. Currant juice inhibits the growth of cancer cells, it is used as a prevention of malignant tumors on the cervix.
3. The anthocyanin component helps to reduce dark circles under the eyes.
4. Currant essential oil contains a significant concentration of vegetable fats, which have a beneficial effect on the skin condition.
5. Cosmetics with berry extracts give your hair a healthy look.
6. Currant is useful during premenstrual syndrome and menopause, as it regulates the hormonal background of a woman.
7. During menstruation, a decrease in pain symptoms is observed.

For men

Berry Use:

• helps to reduce the likelihood of rheumatism;
• strengthens the walls of blood vessels and normalizes the work of the heart;
• reduces the likelihood of a heart attack;
• reduces the growth of malignant tumors;
• is the prevention of prostate diseases.

During pregnancy

The body of a pregnant woman is experiencing a double load. For the full development of a new life, a huge number of important components are needed. Since the berries contain a considerable part of the chemical elements, do not give up healthy treats. In addition, shrubs are ubiquitous, so berries have an acceptable cost.

The positive effect of the fruit on the body during the period of gestation:

• is the prevention of colds;
• contains folic acid, which provides full intrauterine development;
• maintains the necessary level of hemoglobin and does not allow the development of anemia;
• accelerates the removal of excess fluid and thereby prevents the appearance of puffiness;
• strengthens the heart and blood vessels;
• regulates the amount of sugar;
• interferes with stagnation of bile and formation of stones;
• removes cholesterol;
• prevents the collection of extra pounds;
• cheers up and prevents the development of depression.

Refuse berries should be with the development of allergies, veins, abnormal blood coagulation, increased acidic environment of gastric juice, gastric and intestinal ulcers, liver diseases, as well as constipation.

When breastfeeding

Include currant berries in the body of the newly minted mother with caution. Vitamin C, whose content is higher than that of citrus fruits, can cause allergic reactions in the infant. However, this does not imply a complete rejection of the use of blackcurrant. First you need to try to eat some berries and observe the reaction of the child's body during the day. If the baby is in a good mood and clean skin, then mom can continue to feast on healthy berries.

The fruits of the bush are useful during lactation due to the high content of vitamins, iron, potassium, manganese, fluorine and many other trace elements necessary for a lactating woman.

For kids

It is not worth it to include blackcurrant in the diet of a child until the baby is 9 months old. It is necessary to start with one berry, gradually increasing the norm, provided there are no allergic reactions.

The use of berries has a number of positive effects on the children's body:

• strengthens the immune system;
• normalizes the level of iron;
• improves mood;
• improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• strengthens the nervous system.

The use of shrubs is not allowed with high acidity of gastric juice, abnormal blood coagulation, allergic reactions and individual intolerance.

When losing weight

Due to the low content of natural sugar, diuretic properties and low nutritional value, the fruits of the bush are highly valued by adherents of a healthy diet.

Dietary fiber, which contains berries, normalizes metabolism, while increasing metabolism. Experts have found that the components of currants reduce the accumulation of fat. It is well burned during physical activity. This occurs due to an increase in blood circulation and oxygenation of cells and tissues.

Experts do not recommend abusing fructose during weight loss. The maximum norm should not exceed 25 g per day, which is equivalent to 6 glasses of berries eaten per day (provided that other sources of natural sugar will not be consumed).

What is useful blackcurrant leaves

Shrub leaves are no less valuable than fruits. Their feature is the preservation of their aroma even after drying. Due to the concentration of important components, leaves are used to prevent and treat many ailments, in particular, such as arthritis, rheumatism, liver problems, itching and skin damage.

The benefits of leaf tea

1. A tea drink made from currant leaves contains an impressive amount of ascorbic acid, which increases the resistance of the immune system and prevents the development of colds, and also has a general strengthening effect.
2. The drink can eliminate the inflammatory process and reduce the harmful effects of nicotine on the body.
3. Drinking tea in the early stages of influenza can significantly alleviate the course of the disease.
4. The drink contains iron and helps to eliminate anemia.
5. The inclusion of currant tea in the daily diet interferes with skin aging processes and improves hair condition.

To prepare the drink, both fresh leaves and dried ones are suitable. 25 g of leaves pour 200 ml of boiling water and let it brew for about 25-30 minutes. You can vary the taste of the drink with sugar, honey or fresh berries.

Blackcurrant oil: properties and applications

The oil is made from raw materials that remain after processing the berries. The remaining cake contains an impressive proportion of seeds, which include fatty acids. The healing agent obtained from the berries of the bush has found wide application in medicine and cosmetology.

Oil properties:

• improves brain function;
• reduces the growth of malignant tumors;
• restores metabolic processes;
• is a diuretic, choleretic agent;
• accelerate the process of regeneration of damaged tissues;
• increases blood coagulation and eliminates the inflammatory process.

Oil is used for such diseases:

• senile dementia;
• skin problems (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc.);
• rheumatism;
• anemia;
• pathology of the heart and blood vessels;
• cholecystitis.

Application in cosmetology:

1. Reduces the inflammatory process and moisturizes the skin.
2. It nourishes hair follicles and restores hair health.
3. Helps eliminate pigmentation, scars, scars and small folds.

The benefits of blackcurrant blanks

Not only fresh fruits, but also preparations prepared from currant, are useful for health. In addition, they allow you to use the delicacy throughout the year.

Jam

Beneficial features:

• contributes to the improvement of the general condition;
• uplifting;
• dilates blood vessels and purifies the bloodstream;
• restores appetite and activates metabolism;
• gently removes excess fluid from the body;
• strengthens the immune system.

The product can be used during weight loss, as the fruits of the bush contribute to the removal of toxins and toxins.

Diabetic patients should discard treats due to significant amounts of sugar.

Kissel

Beneficial features:

• cleanses the body of toxic substances;
• promotes the rapid assimilation of eaten foods;
• eliminates the symptoms of a cold at the initial stage of the disease;
• has a positive effect on the digestive system.

Morse

Beneficial features:

1. Quenches thirst and removes toxins.
2. Due to the lack of lengthy heat treatment, it transfers to the body all the benefits of the raw materials from which it is made.

Compote

Compote from the healing berries of the bush contains an impressive amount of nutrients. Thanks to this, the drink has a positive effect in many diseases.

Compote Properties:

• neutralizes the reduced acidity of the stomach with gastritis;
• normalizes the urinary tract and kidneys;
• helps with vitamin deficiency;
• eliminates thirst.

Wine

Properties of currant wine drink:

• heats the body during hypothermia;
• normalizes pressure;
• calms the nervous system;
• maintains the necessary level of glucose;
• normalizes cholesterol;
• improves appetite;
• dilates blood vessels.

Blackcurrant in medicine

The fruits are widely used in medicine due to its rich composition and healing properties.

With diabetes

Berries have a low glycemic index (about 20 units), so they can be consumed in cases of diabetes. Currant does not contribute to the rapid increase in blood glucose, therefore it does not harm the body.

Shrubs normalize the pancreas, kidneys and intestines. Patients should give preference to fresh berries and juices and compotes made from them without the addition of sugar. Jam, jams and other sugar-containing dishes should be completely abandoned.

With pancreatitis

Experts allow the inclusion of berries in the diet of a patient with pancreatitis, but with extreme caution. It is based on the following facts:

1. Seeds and hard peel of blackcurrant fruit are rough food that can irritate the walls of the stomach and increase the load on the pancreas.
2. A large amount of ascorbic acid increases the acidity of gastric juice.

It is allowed to use pre-filtered juices, compotes, jelly, decoctions, infusions from currants. In the drinks should be completely absent solid residues of berries.

Particular attention should be paid to the freshness of the berries. Spoiled fruits can cause a pain attack, followed by the onset of the acute stage of the disease and forced hospitalization.

On the day, the patient is allowed to consume no more than 400 ml of compote, jelly or decoction of berries, juice or infusion - not more than 100 ml. The use of concentrated drinks in food is unacceptable, they must be diluted with water.

With gastritis

With low acidity of the stomach, blackcurrant is allowed to be included in the diet. All kinds of drinks are made from berries: jelly, compote, decoction, infusion and juice. They contribute to the normalization of the acidic environment and eliminate unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

With a disease characterized by increased acidity, the use of berries and all products from them is prohibited.

During the course of the acute form of the disease, the use of shrubs should also be abandoned.

For the intestines

Blackcurrant has a beneficial effect on the intestines:

• eliminates the inflammatory process and damaged tissue of the walls of the organ;
• removes toxic substances and slag compounds;
• inhibits the reproduction of pathogenic microbes;
• relieves bloating and flatulence.

For constipation

With a tendency to constipation, it is better to limit the use of fresh berries, as they help to fix the stool. This is due to the high content of seeds and a hard peel in the fruits.

The introduction of weak stewed fruit, decoctions, jelly into the diet is allowed. It is recommended to dilute concentrated juices with water, the drink should be translucent.

With gout

The substances that make up blackcurrant contribute to the gentle excretion of uric acid from the body and prevents its accumulation. Thanks to this ability, the use of berries is indicated for patients with gouty arthritis.

The recipe with currants from attacks
Grate 25 g of berries with 50 g of sugar. Eat three tablespoons per day.

Shrub leaves are also used to improve the condition of the patient. To this end, pour 25 g of crushed fresh leaves (you can replace the dried ones) with a glass of boiling water and leave for 40-60 minutes. It is recommended to drink 0.5 cups of the drink three times a day before meals.

For the liver

The liver is an important organ of the digestive system, the state of which in many respects depends on the overall health of a person. Doctors recommend eating currants because of the large amount of nutrients they contain. Glucose helps increase the amount of glycogen in the liver and normalizes the recovery process of damaged organ tissue. Thanks to diuretic and choleretic properties, the tone of the liver improves.

Due to the high content of ascorbic acid, it is recommended to abandon the use of currants for hepatitis.

With cholecystitis

Blackcurrant with inflammation of the gallbladder can reduce pain and reduce the growth of pathogenic microbes. Fresh fruits and drinks made from them can be used as an adjuvant. Cholecystitis is a dangerous disease, the treatment of which is necessary with the consultation of the attending physician.

Since the berry has choleretic properties, its inclusion in the diet reduces the likelihood of developing gallstone disease.

Blackcurrant-based traditional medicine recipes

Supporters of the alternative method of treatment highly value the healing abilities of blackcurrant fruits. There are a huge number of recipes that can significantly alleviate the condition of the patient. However, all appointments should preferably be used after consultation with a doctor. As a rule, self-medication slows the healing process.

The recipe for the first symptoms of a cold

Pour 25 g of fresh currants with a glass of boiling water, cover with a lid and leave to infuse. After two hours, you can take a drink. It is recommended to drink a decoction three times a day for half a glass.

Gout Recipe

25 g of crushed leaves of the bush pour 200 g of hot water. After insisting, strain with gauze and take 100 ml 2-3 times a day.

Currant broth

Transfer 50 g of washed fresh or frozen berries to a saucepan. Add 500 ml of liquid and cook over low heat for about 25 minutes. Ready broth to take three times a day in half a glass.

Decoction for relieving puffiness

Grind 50 g of fresh leaves of currant (you can use dried) and transfer to a saucepan. Add 500 ml of liquid to the leaves, bring to a boil and remove from the stove. Let the broth infuse for at least two hours, after which you can begin to use strained infusion. To do this, moisten a soft cloth or gauze in the prepared broth and attach to the problem area.

Blackcurrant in cosmetology

Berries are used not only to strengthen the body from the inside, but also to improve the appearance. Such widespread use of black currant owes its rich composition, which determines the properties important for cosmetology:

1. Helps to cleanse and rejuvenate skin cells.
2. Reduces the development of the inflammatory process and perfectly fights acne.
3. Reduces skin pigmentation.
4. Eliminates dark circles under the eyes.
5. It nourishes the scalp and helps improve the appearance of hair, and also prevents hair loss.

At home, you can prepare effective products for facial skin care and improve hair structure.

For face

Classic mask
Thoroughly rinse and crush 50 g of fresh berries with a fork or mince. The resulting slurry is applied to the skin of the face. Wash off after 10 minutes.

A classic mask gives the skin a fresh look and helps reduce freckles.

For dry skin
Ingredients:

• berries - 15 g;
• olive oil - 15 ml;
• fat sour cream - 15 ml.

Sort the berries, rinse and beat with a blender in mashed potatoes. Add the remaining ingredients to the resulting slurry. Stir thoroughly until smooth. Apply the mask with massage movements on the skin without affecting the sensitive areas around the eyes and lips, hold for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water.

Scrub
Ingredients:

• berries - 15 g;
• ground coffee - 15 g;
• sour cream - 15 ml.

Crush the berries (no need to achieve uniformity) and mix the resulting slurry with the rest of the ingredients. Apply the composition to the skin and make gentle massage movements for several minutes, then rinse.

This recipe is universal. It is suitable for both the face and body. The scrub has a massage effect, the ability to brighten problem areas and eliminate keratinized particles of the skin.

For hair

Recovery mask
Ingredients:

• yeast - 1 sachet (11 g);
• blackcurrant - 100 g;
• yolk - 1 pc.;
• honey - 20 g.

Cooking method: Convert the berries into gruel with a fork or meat grinder. Dissolve the yeast in 30 ml of water and leave for 5 minutes. Combine all components and mix thoroughly. Apply the resulting mixture to the scalp and hair. After 10-15 minutes rinse your head.

An excellent effect on the condition of the hair is provided by the use of oil made from the fruits of the bush. It can be found in drugstores or cosmetics stores.

Properties of hair oil:

• health improvement;
• strengthening;
• elimination of dandruff and dry scalp;
• reducing the cross section of the tips;
• nutrition of hair follicles;
• elimination of damage, getting rid of itching and inflammation;
• giving hair shine and an updated look.

Glitter Masks

1. Apply currant oil over the entire length of the hair, put on a plastic cap and let stand for an hour. To improve the effect, you can add a few drops of calendula and almond oils. After the allotted time, rinse the hair 2 times, as the oil is washed off heavily in the root zone.
2. In equal proportions, combine currant, almond, grape, peach and mango oils. Warm up a little and apply to the root zone and the entire length of the hair. Wrap your head in cellophane wrap or a towel. Leave the composition overnight. In the morning, rinse your head thoroughly with shampoo and fix the effect with balm.

Currant oil has contraindications. It can cause allergic reactions, so it is recommended to test a few drops on a small area of ​​the skin before use. If within 20 minutes of redness and itching is not observed, then you can continue to use.

Harm and contraindications

If you observe the measure in the use of currants, then the berry will not bring any harm to a healthy body.

However, it is not recommended to use the fruits of the bush in the following cases:

• with thrombophlebitis;
• increased acidity of gastric juice;
• all types of hepatitis;
• stomach ulcer;
• other ailments of the gastrointestinal tract.

With caution, you need to eat berries during pregnancy and lactation. In the diet of a nursing woman, it is necessary to introduce the berry gradually, starting with several berries. If the baby does not have allergic reactions, then the number of fruits is increased.

Collection and storage

1. It is best to harvest fruits grown in proven sites. It is recommended to collect berries from the bush in dry weather, wet currants will deteriorate faster.
2. Berries are harvested in stages, this is due to their uneven ripening.
3. On young shrubs, ripening of berries occurs faster than on older plants.
4. It is best to temporarily put the picked berry into a wooden box, but in the near future it is imperative to sort, wash and dry. This will ensure long-term storage of fruits.

For longer storage, currants are used to make jam, fruit drinks, confiture, jams. Workpieces can be stored for up to two years. It is recommended to sign the year and month of manufacture of a product.

Fresh berries milled with sugar are very popular. They are easy to prepare, the process does not require cooking, and the beneficial properties are fully preserved. For cooking, you must use fruits and sugar in a ratio of 2: 1, respectively. Berries must be crushed, mixed with sugar and stored in the refrigerator. Sugar in this case plays the role of a natural preservative that extends the shelf life of the dish. It is important to use only the freshest fruits for this method of storing berries, otherwise “raw jam” can quickly deteriorate. A treat prepared with all the recommendations in mind can be stored for up to several weeks.

Is it possible to freeze

Berry can be frozen. To do this, the fruits are carefully sorted, washed and dried. For harvesting, it is recommended to use only fresh fruits. Prepared berries are laid out in containers or bags for freezing and sent to the freezer. This storage method preserves all the healing properties of the product.

Many home-made connoisseurs advise freezing currants with sugar and mashed potatoes.

Sugar Freezing
Sugar is used in the freezing process to preserve the friability of the berries. After thawing, such fruits retain their shape and do not turn into a single block of ice. It is recommended to prepare berries for freezing as follows:

1. Sort the berries, rinse and dry thoroughly on a paper towel, they must be completely dry.
2. Distribute the fruits in the dishes selected for storage, it should be suitable for freezing. Prepared containers must be dry. You can use special packages.
3. Add sugar over the berries so that it evenly covers all the fruits.
4. Send to the freezer.

Berry Puree Freezing
For those who like to cook a whipped dessert, the way to store currants in the form of mashed potatoes is perfect To make fruit juice or kissel from such raw materials will be much easier.

Preparation of berries:

1. Select the freshest fruits. Rinse thoroughly and dry them.
2. Beat the berries in a blender or mince.
3. Transfer the resulting workpiece into dishes suitable for freezing. Silicone cupcake molds or special bags are perfect.
4. Send to the freezer.

Frozen berries can be stored in the freezer for up to one year.

Defrosting the berries is necessary gradually, so they will retain their shape. The process should begin with a freezer. If there is no extra time, then you can use the microwave oven, equipped with a defrost mode. To achieve the desired result, only two minutes are enough.

What can be cooked from blackcurrant: recipes

Berries have found great use in cooking. They are actively used for the preparation of desserts, juices, compotes, preserves and even honey.Their feature is the ability to maintain beneficial properties even after the process of heat treatment and preservation. The following are recipes for the most interesting and easy-to-cook goodies.

Jam

Ingredients:

• berries - 500 g;
• sugar - 1 kg.

Cooking method:

1. Convert berries into gruel in a convenient way (blender, meat grinder, fork).
2. Add granulated sugar and leave until juice appears.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes.
4. The storage containers should be thoroughly sterilized, put the finished product in them and put them in the cellar.

Kissel

Ingredients:

• blackcurrant - 250 g;
• starch - 3 tbsp .;
• sugar - 0.5 cups.

Cooking method:

1. Rinse the berries and, if possible, separate the seeds.
2. Prepared fruits are sent to the pan and pour 1 liter of water.
3. Cook over low heat for about 15 minutes.
4. Pass the resulting broth through cheesecloth and again send to the stove, add the starch in small portions and sugar.
5. Boil for a couple of minutes until dissolved.

Morse

Ingredients:

• currant berries - 200 g;
• granulated sugar - 6 tbsp;
• lemon - 1 pc.

Cooking method:

1. Make cooking easier with a blender. Send it washed berries, lemon zest, sugar and 200 ml of boiling water.
2. Mix the mixture until smooth. Add another 800 ml of water and lemon juice.
3. To stir thoroughly. Pass the resulting mass through a fine sieve.

Chilled fruit drink is ready to eat.

Juice

Ingredients:

• berries - 1 kg;
• granulated sugar - 250 g.

Cooking method:

1. Rinse, sort and dry the berries on a kitchen towel.
2. Crush the fruits with a fork, whole berries should not be.
3. Add 150 ml of liquid and sugar.
4. Send the pan to the stove.
5. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
6. Strain through cheesecloth folded in several layers.
7. Pour into sterilized storage jars and roll up the lids.

As a rule, the juice is obtained in a strong concentration, for this reason it is recommended to dilute it with water.

Compote

Ingredients:

• blackcurrant - 900 g;
• granulated sugar - 0.5 kg.

Cooking method:

1. Sort the berries carefully, wash and dry. In a sterilized glass container, spread the currant into about 1/4 part.
2. Pour boiling water over the fruits and let it brew for about 10 minutes.
3. Pour water from containers into a pan, add sugar and bring to a boil.
4. Fill the containers with the obtained syrup and immediately tighten with tight caps.

Smoothie

Smoothie is a thick drink made with fresh ingredients. To prepare a drink from currant, you can use both fresh berries and frozen ones.

Ingredients:

• berries - 150 g;
• milk - 30 ml;
• ice cream - 50 g.

Cooking method:

1. Smoothies need to be prepared using a blender; in the absence of an appliance, the process is much more complicated. Sort the berries, use the most recent fruits.
2. Send washed and dried berries, milk and ice cream to the device’s capacity, thoroughly beat.
3. Diversify the taste with honey or fruit syrup.

Mousse

Ingredients:

• fresh berries - 400 g;
• granulated sugar - 300 g;
• semolina - 5 tablespoons

Cooking method:

1. Fresh fruits can be replaced with frozen ones. Convert the berries into a homogeneous mass, for this a meat grinder, blender or an ordinary fork is suitable.
2. Transfer the gruel into the pan and send to the stove, boil for about 20 minutes. Pass the resulting broth through cheesecloth and pour again into the pan.
3. Add sugar and bring to a boil. Introduce semolina into semolina and boil mousse for another 10 minutes.
4. Arrange the finished dessert on decorative vases and garnish with fresh mint leaves. A pinch of cardamom will give the finished dish a unique piquancy.

Wine

Ingredients:

• berries - 2 kg;
• water - 1 l;
• sugar - 300 g.

Cooking method:

1. Crush berries with a fork. The resulting mass of winemakers called pulp.
2. Add 500 ml of liquid and leave for 3 days.
3. After three days, strain the workpiece through gauze and add another 500 ml of water and sugar.
4. Pour the wine into sterilized containers, pull a rubber glove on top of each and leave to infuse for 35 days.
5. Pour the finished wine gently, without affecting the sediment, and store in a cool dark place.

Is it possible to give black currants to animals

Often in the composition of purchased animal feed you can see the content of currant extract. Involuntarily the question arises, is it possible to treat a smaller brother with fresh berries?

Currant extract is nothing but finely chopped leaves and fruits of the bush. Most likely, manufacturers add preservatives that provide the longest storage. Accordingly, the benefit of such an extract is very doubtful.

Fresh berries contain a huge amount of useful substances, the most important thing is that they contribute to the elimination of toxic and slag compounds. It is quite possible to treat the fruits of a pet, but will they like the sour taste and unusual aroma? That is actually the question!

If the animal is happy to try a new treat, do not overdo it with the amount of refreshments. It is important not to forget that currants can cause allergic reactions and are contraindicated in case of stomach problems and liver diseases, so first you need to make sure the health of the animal. For these reasons, berries should be introduced gradually, starting with a few pieces.

In case of problems with the stool, you should not give the currant to the animal, the fruits of the bush have a fixing effect, only exacerbating the situation.

Why blackcurrant is banned in the USA

In the past century, North Americans were forbidden to grow shrubs with medicinal properties. Many residents of the United States had difficulty imagining what the fruits of currant look like and what they taste like.

The ban was associated with the appearance of a fungus that destroys wood. After numerous studies, it was revealed that parasitic microbes appeared initially in the bushes of the genus Kryzhovnikovye. Environmentalists have decided to exterminate all the bushes of a potentially dangerous family, which included blackcurrant.

Various methods for plant breeding were used. Shrubs pulled out with roots, set fires, but these methods did not lead to the desired result. After some time, tenacious bushes began to grow rapidly, occupying new vast territories.

In the early 2000s, new studies were conducted, as a result of which it was decided to allow the cultivation of gooseberries, including blackcurrant.

However, to this day in some states, for example, in Virginia and Massachusetts, it is forbidden to plant bushes of healthy berries.

Interesting facts about blackcurrant

1. The name of the berry comes from the old Russian word "currant", which means smell.
2. The shrub belongs to the gooseberry family and reaches up to 1.5 m in height.
3. Some people call currants northern grapes.
4. According to legend, the Moskva River in ancient times was called Smorodinovka because of the huge number of currant bushes growing along the banks.
5. Another name for the currant is the monastery berry. This was facilitated by the fact that bushes with medicinal berries grew on the territory of many monasteries.
6. Blackcurrant contains 4 times more vitamin C than a red relative.
7. Unripe fruits contain 4 times more ascorbic acid.
8. The most healthy berries grow in harsh conditions.
9. 25 g of eaten berries satisfy the daily requirement of the body for ascorbic acid.
10. 10 berries of currant and one whole lemon contain the same amount of ascorbic acid.
11. After harvesting, the amount of ascorbic acid in the leaves decreases by 10 times.
12. Blackcurrant juice is used as a natural dye in cooking. Ready meals take on a blue or purple hue depending on the amount of dye added.
13. Of all types of currants, black berries have the strongest aroma, this is due to the highest content of essential oil in the fruits.
14. The fruits of the bush have the ability to remove radioactive elements obtained by the body as a result of radiation exposure. This ability of berries was used to treat people affected by the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
15. In the process of freezing, the beneficial properties of the berry are preserved.
16. They even make honey from currants, which has no less useful properties than a bee treat.
17. A ban on the cultivation of currant bushes was introduced in the United States of America, which was partially removed only in the 2000s. Many Americans for a long time had no idea about the taste and appearance of the fruits of black currant.
18. In Belarus, currant bushes occupy up to 40% of the territories used for sowing cultivated plants.
19. The fruits are able to eliminate dark circles under the eyes, rid the skin of acne and pigmentation.
20. Decoctions and infusions of berries improve the structure and growth of hair.
21. Regular consumption of blackcurrant fruits helps strengthen nails and improves visual acuity.
22. The life span of the bush is about 7 years.

The daily inclusion of berries in the diet strengthens the protective function and prevents the development of a huge number of diseases.

Photo of black currant