Red currant - beneficial properties and contraindications

Today, red currant bushes can be found in the garden of almost every summer resident. This amazing berry is quite unpretentious - it is very good in drought and frost, bears fruit for many years, pulling out its branches and annually increasing the bush's pomp. Red currant bush looks very beautiful - berries, like beads, are decorated with spreading branches with green leaves. That is why red currant was originally grown as an ornamental plant. Later, people realized that the berries and leaves of the shrub have a medicinal effect, began to use the plant as part of a variety of decoctions and tinctures. Only in recent centuries have people tasted the true taste of sour berries. Today, red currant is the standard of delicious and incredibly healthy delicacy, not for everyone, but for everybody.In this article we will talk about the composition of red fruits, find out what currant is useful for, under what diseases it should be used, and also get acquainted with the main contraindications to currant use.

Useful properties of red currant

The composition of red currant is very diverse. It is often compared with black currants, however, these berries have many differences. Firstly, red currant is more juicy, it has more seeds. Red currant and black currant are rich in vitamin C, but black still wins in the amount of ascorbic acid. But there is so much vitamin A in the red currant that no berry compares. In addition, in the composition of red fruits are organic acids, vitamins, beta-carotene, trace elements. Red currant contains less sugar than black, so it is actively used for weight loss. In general, the special sour taste of currants gives baking and desserts a subtle aftertaste. In many countries, fruit drinks are prepared from currants, fruit drinks, jams, preserves. But why is red currant useful for the body?

1. Vitality. Very often, avitaminosis, postponed diseases, autumn depressions and frequent stresses make themselves felt, strength disappears, vitality is lost. Red currant will help to correct the situation.From its berries and leaves, a decoction is prepared, which should be taken at least three times a day. Very often, natural red currant medicine is prescribed for the elderly during the rehabilitation period. The medicine is very helpful in mental and physical stress. Such broths quickly return a person to life and give him strength.
2. SARS and colds. A large amount of ascorbic acid makes currant indispensable in the fight against colds. Mors and currant compotes significantly reduce the time of illness, have diaphoretic and antipyretic effect, reduce inflammation. Gargle with diluted juice of currants - it will relieve pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc. In addition, regular consumption of currants in the season of flu and colds is a powerful prevention and protection of the body, strengthening the immune forces.
3. For heart and blood. As part of the currant is a sufficient amount of potassium, which is very necessary for the heart muscle. Currant thins blood, prevents the formation of blood clots, reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Regular consumption of currant helps to get rid of edema, normalizes blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
4. Oncology. Of course, it is impossible to get rid of cancer cells with currant, but to prevent their appearance is quite real. Scientists confirm that a large amount of antioxidants in the composition of currants reduces the risk of developing oncology, slows the growth of metastases.
5. For the intestines. Currant has a mild laxative effect, perfectly cleanses the intestines, eliminates toxins and toxins, it is an excellent medicine against constipation. In addition, the antiseptic properties of currants can destroy the entire pathogenic microflora in the intestine, saving the person from swelling, flatulence and fermentation.
6. From nausea. Red currant perfectly suppresses the feeling of nausea, reduces vomiting. This is useful in food poisoning, but currant is especially effective in treating toxemia in pregnant women. Just a couple of sips of currant juice will get rid of the exhausting feeling of nausea in the morning.
7. For blood. Regular consumption of currants stimulates blood production, increases hemoglobin, solves the problem of anemia. Red currant fruit drinks are an indispensable part of rehabilitation in the postoperative period, after large blood loss.Currants are also recommended to use in the period of menstrual bleeding.
8. For the view. As part of currants a lot of vitamin A, which is simply necessary for vision, especially children. Large loads in the form of school lessons and extra classes lead to a gradual decrease in visual acuity, currants are a powerful prevention of eye diseases.
9. Cystitis. As part of the red currant, there are many components that together give a real anti-inflammatory effect. Berries are often used in the fight against cystitis. Drink diluted blackcurrant juice in large quantities, and the frequent urge, cramps and pain will pass in a day.
10. Slimming Red currant has a low glycemic index. This means that the sugar from the product is absorbed into the blood slowly, there is no powerful release of insulin. This means that the currant perfectly suppresses hunger, and after it you do not want to eat for a long time. In addition, it has very few calories, which makes the product ideal for the diet of a person losing weight. Drinks with red currant juice are often given to athletes for burning fat, rejuvenating, building muscle.

This is not a complete list of useful properties of red currants. It is effective in many diseases, it certainly needs to be stockpiled in the summer in order to be fully armed in the winter and to fight back any diseases. In order to preserve the maximum amount of useful substances in the berry, it cannot be boiled - just freeze. At high temperatures, vitamin C is destroyed, so the currant jam does not contain as many valuable components as fresh berry. It is best to chop the currants, add sugar, mix and transfer into plastic containers. In this form, the delicacy will turn out incredibly tasty and retain all its beneficial properties. However, red currant is not only used to preserve health.

Red currant in cosmetology

The high content of various nutrients in the composition of the red berries allow the use of currants for facial skin care. Ascorbic acid heals wounds, disinfects the surface of the epidermis, effectively fights various acne and inflammations. Currant relieves swelling, redness, soothes inflamed and irritated skin.Acids in the composition of the currant gently corrodes the upper keratinous layer of the skin, creating the effect of chemical peeling. A large amount of vitamin A in the composition of currants stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, gives a powerful impetus to the regeneration of tissues. This allows the use of currants as an anti-wrinkle anti-aging agent. In the currant is vitamin B9, which is valued by cosmetologists for its protective functions. That is, with regular use of currant masks, a thin invisible barrier appears on the skin, which protects the epidermis from ultraviolet radiation and external negative effects - chlorinated water, wind, dry air, frost, etc. Another powerful effect of the berry is the whitening effect. With a handful of red currants, you can get rid of freckles, age spots, unwanted tan or dark skin tone. Currant acts gently, leaving the skin bright, bright, ruddy and radiant, without a yellow pigment.

Red currant masks gently moisturize and nourish the skin. This property is used in the care of the skin of hands. To do this, red currant juice is simply added to the usual hand cream, you can even use children's fat cream. Apply the product to the hands and feet, you can get rid of cracks and dryness.Diluted juice of red currant is actively used as a rinse hair - this will get rid of dandruff and seborrhea, hair loss strands. Organic acids in the composition of black currant juice soothe irritated scalp, relieve itching and inflammation. If you use red currant to treat curls all the time, the hair will become smooth, shiny, healthy. Moreover, you can achieve a change in shade - in the sun strands will sparkle with a reddish tint.

Contraindications to receive red currant

Despite all the beneficial properties of currants, it still has some contraindications that you need to know in advance.

1. Berry is quite acidic and in some cases may cause irritation of the mucous walls of the stomach. Red currant is undesirable for use in gastritis and ulcers, especially on an empty stomach.
2. Since currants thin the blood, it should not be used with low blood clotting - the situation may worsen.
3. When liver disease and hepatitis from currants should be abandoned.You should also not use currants for pancreatitis, as acids stimulate the production of enzymes and enhance the work of the pancreas.
4. If you have a weak intestine prone to diarrhea, red currants should be discarded, or used in small quantities.
5. External use of red currant is contraindicated if the skin has wounds, damage, abrasions. Acids will corrode the epidermis and you will feel an unbearable burning sensation. Moreover, irritation may begin on the wound.
6. In diabetes mellitus, red currants should be consumed in small quantities, with caution and only after permission of the doctor.

In addition to all this, a person may experience individual intolerance to the berries. To check for allergies, start eating currants little by little, monitoring the cleanliness and condition of your skin. You should also put a little currant juice on the skin before you use a mask for the face or hair.

Anyone who has a summer cottage, or at least a piece of land, certainly plants a bush of red currant on it. The shrub grows well, grows long and bears fruit up to 10-14 years.The currant bush will decorate any territory, will give tasty and juicy berries. And most importantly, it is a source of health, strength and longevity. Each time, when brewing tea, add a leaf of red currant to the kettle along with the tea leaves. And illnesses will simply forget the way to your home!

Video: healing properties of red currant