BLACK CURRANT

Black currants nutrition facts

Incredibly rich in numerous health benefiting phyto-nutrients and anti-oxidants, black currants are indeed one of the very popular summer season berries. Currants are native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia.
Black currant plant is a small shrub belonging to the family of Grossulariaceae, of the genus; Ribesand has scientific name: Ribes nigrum. In general, currants grow best in regions where summer is humid but winter is severe and chilling. It is a fast growing, deciduous, small shrub reaching about 5-6 ft tall.

Black currants have a very high content in antioxidants and vitamins. In particular, they're very rich in Vitamin C (and for this reason they were used in the UK during World War II, because other foods rich in Vitamin C, such as oranges, were nearly impossible to find). Black currants also contain several rare nutrients, like GLA ( Gamma Linoleic Acid, a very rare Omega-6 essential fatty acid) and MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors), and may therefore be used in therapies against depression.

Currant Health Information

What are the health benefits of black currants?
Because of the variety of vitamins and minerals, and the potent phtyochemical and antioxidant power, in Black Currants, they boast a fair amount of potential health benefits. As researchers continue to study these dark purple wonders, the compounds that they contain, and their effects on our health, there will likely be many more exciting benefits uncovered.
So far, here is what the research is telling us about Black Currants and your health:
Nutrition Facts:
For a serving size of 100 grams:

• Calories – 63
• Carbohydrates – 15g
• Fat – 0.4g
• Protein – 1.4g
• Dietary Fiber – N/A
• Water Content – 82%

Source: USDA and Nutritiondata.com

Brain power

Two powerful compounds found in concentrated amounts in Black Currants may help protect our brains against diseases of aging. Preliminary research from the Horticulture and Food Research Institute in New Zealand found that the anthocyanins and polyphenolics found in Black Currants may help protect against Alzheimer's disease. In a 2006 Health Day article, Researcher James Joseph, from Tufts University, commented on the results of this study, "We have evidence that the compounds [anthocyanins and polyphenolics] protect against Alzheimer's by influencing the early gene expression in learning and memory, which influences cell signaling pathways that help neuronal cells communicate with each other," says Joseph.

Dilip Ghosh, Tony K McGhie, Jingli Zhang, Aselle Adaim, Margot Skinner. Effects of anthocyanins and other phenolics of boysenberry and blackcurrant as inhibitors of oxidative stress and damage to cellular DNA in SH-SY5Y and HL-60 cells. Journal of Science Food and Agriculture

Heart of the Matter

At least 61 million Americans suffer from some form of heart disease. And with coronary heart disease (CHD) as the leading cause of death in the United States, it's important to focus on dietary and lifestyle factors that can help prevent it! The American Heart Association supports a diet high in fruits and vegetables in helping to prevent cardiovascular disease.
In particular, berries like Black Currants that are especially high in certain compounds like flavonoids and other antioxidants may have an even more protective effect. A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that subjects who were given a mixture of berries daily (including Black Currants) had a reduction in blood pressure and an increase in good (HDL) cholesterol, two factors that can decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke.

Cardiovascular disease statistics. American Heart Association. Available at: http://www.heart.org/

I. Erlund, R. Koli, G. Alfthan, J. Marniemi, P. Puukka, P. Mustonen, P. Mattila, A. Jula. Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. February 2008, Volume 87, Number 2, Pages 323-331

Seeing is Believing

Vision disorders of aging such as Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are the number 1 cause of blindness in adults over age 65. Research and clinical studies have shown that certain antioxidants like vitamin C and anthocyanosides (anthocyanins) may support vision health and decrease the risk of age related vision problems such as cataracts and (AMD). Scientists have found that a plant based diet rich in flavonoids, including anthocyanins and quercitin (found in Black Currants), may play a role in decreasing the degeneration of the macula (the part of your retina that's responsible for central vision) by keeping harmful free radicals from damaging the retina.

Urinary tract infections

While the best treatment for a urinary tract infection is antibiotics, plant compounds called proanthocyanins, found in fruits like Black Currants, may help prevent the infection from beginning or progressing. Proanthocyanins work their magic by preventing harmful bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. The most studied for these effects are cranberries, but scientists believe that Black Currants may be just as beneficial. Studies show that Black Currants also contain proanthocyanins, which can be found in the urine after drinking the juice.

Netzel et al. Bioactive anthocyanins detected in human urine after ingestion of blackcurrant juice. K Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 2001; 20 (2): 89-95
L.Boyle et al. 1996, Study of blackcurrant juice in nursing home residents to alleviate urinary tract infection and associated problems. Centre for Ageing Studies, Flinders University of South Austrailia.

Kidney stones

Research is still sparse regarding Black Currant juice's support in the treatment and prevention of uric acid stone disease. But, it looks promising, according to findings published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition that report that subjects who drank Black Currant juice daily had a higher urinary pH and excreted more citric acid and oxalic acid. High levels of oxalic acid are associated with uric acid stone disease because the acid binds with metal ions in the body to deposit crystals which can irritate the kidneys. Black Currant juice shows promise for helping increase the excretion of oxalic acid.

Kessler T, Jansen B, Hesse A. Effects of Juice on Kidney Stone Formation Reviewed: Effect of Black Currant-, cranberry- and plum juice. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002;36:1020-102

Home remedies for kidneys :1 teavoon black currant
1 teaspoon pipsissewa
1 cup boiling water
Combine the above herbs and cover with the boiling water; steep for 15 minutes; strain. Use two to three times daily for inflammation of the bladder, up to three cups a day, for no more than three days.