What Are the Benefits of Black Currant?
- The vitamins and antioxidants found in black currant have many health benefits.black currant image by amlet from Fotolia.com
Black currant is the edible berry that grows on the Ribes nigrum shrub, which is found in Northern/Central Europe and Asia. While black currant is used to add flavor to many foods and drinks, it is also full of vitamins and antioxidants, which provide many health benefits. - According to Black-Currant.com, black currants are rich in vitamin C, and were used in the United Kingdom during World War II when other foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, were hard to find. The vitamin C found in black currant is also used to treat cardiovascular diseases, prevent cardiac insufficiency and vascular accidents, and to reduce arterial hypertension, according to LiveAndFeel.com.
- Gamma linoleic acid, also known as GLA, is a rare omega 6 essential fatty acid that is also found in black currant. According to HealthLibrary.epnet.com, the body uses these fatty acids to make prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which can be beneficial in treating diseases that involve inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and cyclic mastalgia, which is breast pain associated with menstruation. It contains benefits similar to those offered by natural cortisone.
- Concentrated black currant is used as an monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAOI, which is used in treating depression. It should be used with caution by people who are using other MAOIs due to possible additive effects. Currant syrup, which is made from cold pressing the fruit, can also have energizing effects.
- Black currant can also stimulate digestion, according LiveAndFeel.com, and can be useful in stimulating the functions of the liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys. Black currant can be consumed in the form of a dietary supplement, tea, syrup, concentrate or juice form, and is also found in jellies, jams, desserts, sauces and in some beers, vodkas and cordials.
