Health Benefits of Black Currant

Powerhouse plant

For a long time, blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum) were called “the forbidden fruit” in the United States. Farmers thought that the tart berries, native to Europe and Asia, helped spread a fungus that killed pine trees. Due to the ban, many 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.

Source: healthline.com

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