Currant is considered a valuable medicinal plant since the 15th century, and not only berries, but also the leaves of this shrub are useful. They contain vitamins and other compounds needed by the body in large quantities.
What vitamins are in the currant?
- The content of vitamin C currant is one of the first berries. It is considered, in a day enough to eat two or three dozen berries to get the daily rate of ascorbic acid. This vitamin is very important, because it makes the vascular walls strong and elastic. Therefore, the therapeutic properties of currant black are the ability to improve the state of cardiovascular disease and prevent their development.
- Black berries are very rich in vitamin E, which is known to be an excellent antioxidant. It protects our cells from the effects of free radicals, prolonging their life and thereby slowing down the aging process.
- Currant contains several B vitamins, which in the regulation of the work of our body play one of the main roles. It is these compounds that participate in the synthesis of proprietary protein compounds.
- In the currant can also find provitamin A, which, getting into the body, turns into an active vitamin. We owe him our good eyesight, as well as smooth, supple skin and shiny hair.
Currant: benefits and contraindications
Of course, the benefits of currants are due not only to the presence of vitamins, but also minerals and other compounds. This berry is a source of iron and phosphorus, so add it to your menu is recommended for those who have anemia, as well as pregnant women and children.
The ability of the currant to destroy pathogenic bacteria is widely known due to the presence of persistent phytoncides. Therefore, to drink broths or curries of currant, and also eat it fresh is especially useful for various infectious diseases.
The currant has useful properties, due to which it is considered one of the best medicinal berries - it is the ability to exert a healing effect due to the presence of tannins. This berry helps to improve the condition of those who have stomach ulcer or erosive gastritis. However, during a period of exacerbation of these diseases, it is better to refuse from the currant, since it also contains organic acids that irritate the gastric mucosa.
Another feature of the black currant is known, which makes it useful for people prone to atherosclerosis. In succulent berries, anthocyanins are found that can reduce the viscosity of blood and improve its circulation through the vessels. Therefore, many doctors believe that currants must be present in the diet of people with arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Currant also contributes to the elimination of toxins, because it has an easy diuretic effect, and due to the presence of fiber and pectin in the berries, soft cleansing of the intestine occurs. This helps to significantly improve digestion and intestinal microflora. Seriously to limit the use of currant or from it at all it will be necessary to refuse to people with propensity to formation of blood clots, as it contains a substance that can provoke this process. In addition, you should not abuse this berry pregnant women and people prone to allergies. Otherwise, currant for health will only be useful, you can use not only her berries, but also leaves, and even decoctions from shoots. Regular use of it will be an excellent prevention of many diseases and help improve the overall condition of the body.