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6 Health Benefits of Black Currant

From Healthline    Sept 1th,2023

Powerhouse plant
Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum) have been called “the forbidden fruit” in the United States. They help spread a fungus that infects white pine trees. For this reason, blackcurrants have been removed from many areas and Americans have missed out on these nutritious berries.
Blackcurrants have a high concentration of:
anthocyanins
polyphenolic substances
antioxidants
vitamin C
gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)
Many health foods and drinks in the United Kingdom use these berries. Their tartness also lends itself to mixing with other fruits, especially in jams and juices.

Herbalists’ honoree
People use the whole blackcurrant plant, from the leaves to the seeds, for many conditions. The most common form is blackcurrant seed oil, but you can also make infusions and teas out of the plant’s leaves, fresh or dried.
People take blackcurrant to help their:
blood flow
immune system
eye health
gut health
kidney health
Blackcurrant extracts are shown to reduce risk factors for metabolic conditions such as type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Vitamin superstar
Blackcurrants contain many vitamins, such as:
A
B-5
B-6
B-1
E
The most significant is vitamin C. In fact, blackcurrants carry four times the amount of vitamin C as oranges, and double the amount of antioxidants as blueberries.
The benefits of vitamin C are many. The body uses vitamin C to metabolize protein and form collagen, which is essential for skin care and anti-aging.

Boosts immune system
In addition to vitamin C, blackcurrants have plenty of antioxidants and anthocyanins. These can help strength your immune system, soothe sore throats, and ease flu symptoms.
Blackcurrant leaves also have a range of properties, including:
antimicrobial
anti-inflammatory
antiviral
antitoxic
antiseptic
anticancer
One study showed that blackcurrant supplements enhanced the immune response in people who exercised regularly. They could also train harder for longer periods of time.
Another study of healthy older adults showed that blackcurrant seed oil boosted the immune system.

Joint jump starter
Blackcurrants have a direct effect on your body’s inflammatory response.
Blackcurrant seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of omega-6 fatty acid that’s been said to help ease inflammation in the body. The high GLA and anthocyanin content can help reduce joint or muscle:
pain
stiffness
soreness
damage
In some studies, GLA supplements were so effective that participants with rheumatoid arthritis could reduce their usual pain medications.

Plaque punisher and heart helper
Grape-based drinks like wine and juice are known to help decrease plaque buildup, but blackcurrant juice, as well as pomegranate juice, is far more potent.
Blackcurrant is high in potassium and GLA, which can help lower your blood pressure too. The GLA also helps cells in your heart resist damage and slows down platelet clumping in your blood vessels.
In addition, one study found that blackcurrant powder increased heart blood flow and decreased overall peripheral resistance. This suggests that blackcurrant may help you recover after exercise.
While hard to find in most U.S. stores, the blackcurrant-based drink Ribena is very popular in the U.K.



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