Overview
Blackcurrant is one of the fruits in a group of black fruits. They include many of the berries of the species “Ribes nigrum” (blackcurrant), “Ribes amygdaloides” (Redcurrant), and “Ribes minutum” (Little Ginger). The name “blackcurrant” has been used for several different species. The currently accepted scientific name is “Ribes nigrum”.
“Ribes nigrum” is one of the most important food crops in Northern and Central Europe.
Popularly known as “The Forbidden Fruit” in the United States this fruit exhibits excellent benefits with excellent nutrition. Farmers cultivating this fruit thought that this fruit helped spread a fungus that killed the pine trees. For that reason, it was banned and many of them missed out on these nutrients of this fruit.
Blackcurrant is not a true berry, but rather a drupe, containing only a small proportion of the seeds in the fruit.
“Ribes nigrum” is endemic to North-Western Europe, forming a wide belt across the region from the British Isles in the west to Central Russia in the east. It is found in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
The berries of blackcurrants are found in October and November, but these months are considered by some to be the start of the growing season for the plant.
Nutritional facts of Syrup, black currant, Torani
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Some excellent health benefits of this fruit include
1. Reduces BP
The free radicals in the blood are responsible for the bad effects of stress and can lower the amount of your blood circulating blood to the heart by 50% within one week. A very simple fruit like the black currant can control BP in the body.
2. Promotes Cardiovascular Health
This fruit is rich in potassium, which helps in the proper functioning of the heart. It also improves blood circulation in the arteries, thus reducing the heart’s workload.
3. Improves Heartbeat
Black currant is great for heart patients. This fruit is full of vitamins and minerals which are essential for blood circulation. It reduces the chances of heart attacks by 50%.
4. Lowers Cholesterol
Heart disease can be brought to control through black currant. A few tablespoons of juice every day is enough to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body.
5. Prevents Cancer
The antioxidants in the black currant fruit fight cancer. It can improve your body’s immune system, reducing the risk of cancer and curing lung and stomach problems. It also strengthens the red blood cells and prevents cancer by reducing the spread of cancerous cells in the body.
6. Helps Digestion
Due to the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids, the extract of black currant has been proven to reduce digestion time and the problems related to it like acidity and nausea.
7. Decreases Blood Pressure
Some studies have found the black currant can lower the blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure. So, eat it as it will help lower the blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.
8. Liver Support
The alkaloids in black currant help in balancing the liver’s enzymes and prevent the development of liver damage, liver cancer, and early liver failure.
9. Immunity Boost
The polyphenols in the black currant fruit work as a powerful immune system booster and stimulate the production of white blood cells and antibodies.
10. Boosts Mental Performance
The black currant extract helps in maintaining mental performance and helps the brain to get the nourishment it needs.
11. Prevents Arthritis
It contains flavonoids and vitamin C, which are both antioxidants that help in preventing arthritis and gout by fighting free radicals and inflammation that cause the disease.
12. Boosts Hair Growth
The polyphenols in black currant help in nourishing the hair and improving its texture. It also helps strengthen the roots of the hair, which gives it a longer and healthier look.
13. Improves Heart Health
The polyphenols in the black currant help in protecting the heart from cholesterol and stress-related disorders. It also prevents atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), a major risk factor for heart diseases.
14. Prevents Thyroid Problems
The vitamin E and chlorogenic acid in black currant help in boosting the thyroid function and prevent hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, two common causes of hypothyroidism.
15. Relieves Urinary Tract Infections
The Polyphenols in black currant help in cleansing the bladder of bacteria. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that help treat and prevent urinary tract infections.
The Health Benefits of Black Currant Seeds
The very popular black currant seeds are famous for their brilliant taste and delicious texture. They are used in various traditional and international cuisines. The seeds are also known as candida Cambogia, which is a tropical fruit that belongs to the legume family.
The seeds of black currants contain a lot of nutrients that are essential for a healthy body and hair. They are rich in polyphenols, a family of antioxidants. These polyphenols promote hair growth, stimulate hair growth, and protect the hair against harmful hair-damaging agents.
Many doctors and nutritionists recommend the use of black currant seeds and blackcurrant tea for treating hair loss, alopecia, scalp diseases, hair loss, hair thinning, and baldness.
Let’s see some of these benefits of black currant seeds
Supports Hair Growth
If you’re a diehard black currant fan, then you might have heard a lot of buzz about black currant seeds. But have you ever heard about the benefits of this fruit for your hair?
Yes, you read that right. Black currant seeds can be used for treating different hair problems. These seeds work as nourishing agents and stimulate hair growth.
Blackcurrant seeds are very rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and these seeds also have a high amount of protein in them. The presence of protein in the blackcurrant seeds prevents hair loss by stimulating hair growth.
A study found that the use of black currant seeds and blackcurrant tea promotes hair growth in a test tube model for one week. This led the researchers to conclude that it is possible to promote hair growth using blackcurrant extracts in the form of tea.
Blackcurrant seeds also support hair growth by increasing the blood supply to the scalp. These seeds also improve blood circulation to the scalp, which is a boon for those with eczema, dry scalp, and/or hair loss.
A third study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that blackcurrant extracts may have anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic properties, which may help in the treatment of scalp diseases, seborrheic dermatitis, and alopecia.
Contains Antioxidants to Support Hair Growth
The antioxidants present in blackcurrant seeds support hair growth by protecting your hair from the damaging effects of the free radicals that arise during processing and styling and also help to reduce the oxidative stress that causes hair loss.
The researchers found that blackcurrant extracts inhibited the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which is responsible for inflammation and hair loss. The researchers also found that aqueous extracts of blackcurrant fruits had beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The anhydrobiotic acid (AA) present in blackcurrant seeds helps to remove the extra hair strands, resulting in a more even scalp hair growth.
It Contains Fewer Chemicals than other Herbs
Blackcurrant seeds are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients such as anthocyanins and eugenol, which have antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. These two compounds are anti-inflammatory and effective against many types of skin and hair disorders.
Blackcurrant seeds also contain potassium, iron, zinc, and calcium, all of which are essential nutrients for the health of your scalp.
Blackcurrant juice could also provide relief from scalp itch, as the natural acetic acid present in it can reduce the itchiness.
Blackcurrant seeds have a fruity taste and aroma and have to be combined with lemon juice, almond oil, or jojoba oil to make the most potent hair-conditioning products.
Side effects of black currants
These fruits are safe at recommended doses. However, they caused some mild effects like diarrhea, intestinal gas, an allergic reaction may be reported as feeling achy, red, swollen, or tight skin.
Eating this fruit in larger quantities, however, may potentially lower the potassium levels of blood.
Excessive consumption of blackcurrant may cause palpitations, blood pressure spikes, and an irregular heartbeat.
Bottom Line
There are many nutritional and health benefits of consuming black currants. These include lowering LDL cholesterol and cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, regulating blood sugar levels, a marker of inflammation, preventing uterine fibroids, reducing inflammation, and preventing osteoporosis and bone fracture. Considered a super-food, black currant is also loaded with antioxidants.
Sirisha B