Il Red currant it is known by the botanical name of Ribes rubrum of the saxifragacea family. This plant is native to Western Europe and is a shrub that bears fruit very well even in the country in the mountainous areas.
Currant is generally grown as a hedge or bush plant and there are several species of this plant: red currants, black currants and white currants.
Red currant blooms in spring between March and April to then produce its fruits in the summer from the beginning of June until the end of September.
The flavor of the berry is slightly tart and once harvested, the fruit must be eaten or transformed quickly because it degrades quickly.
Red currant is used a lot in cooking in fact it is eaten both natural and in fruit salads but also in preparations of juices, jams, jellies, smoothies, syrups, ice creams, preserves and other desserts.
In addition to cooking, red currant it is rich in substances and active ingredients with beneficial action for our health.
Properties and benefits of red currant
Red currant is mainly rich in water up to over 80% e contains essential vitamins and minerals for the body.
Furthermore, red currants have a very low glycemic index of 25 and this means that its percentage of sugars is so low which makes it one of the best fruits for those who want to keep fit.
Among the vitamins in currant we find the vitamins A, B, C and K which give many beneficial properties for our health. In fact, vitamin C and folic acid are important to support the immune system, fight oxidation and acidosis of the body as well as preventing anemia and spina bifida in the fetus.
Vitamin A and E, along with other pigments and substances found in currants, are gods excellent natural antioxidants. In particular in the red currant twe spoil lycopene and anthocyanins.
These substances are all useful for counteracting the effects of free radicals and are therefore able to reduce cellular aging by keeping us young for longer.
In particular, the use of red currant with its richness in vitamin C helps to form collagen which is a substance present in the connective tissue capable of giving tone to the skin. It also protects and helps keep teeth, gums and capillaries healthy.
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Red currants for our health
The currant also contains many mineral salts such as calcium, iron, sodium, zinc, phosphorus and potassium. This mineral wealth sees the red currant recommended after a period of convalescence or after physical exertion or sporting activity.
Red currant is also a excellent natural anti-inflammatory and is used above all for urinary tract problems being also an excellent diuretic.
The beneficial effects as anti-inflammatory do not stop only in the urinary tract but also to counteract acidosis in the blood, to treat others localized inflammation such as hemorrhoids or more generally for rheumatic pain especially for the joints.
Plus the red currant is a regulator of stress hormones so much so that it acts on the production of cortisol in the adrenal glands and helps the body to fight infections and pathogens that attack the body.
This fruit has a high digestibility and carries a super supply of vitamins and minerals in the body. The red currant it also has a mild laxative action and it also helps in stimulating the metabolism. The various combined actions plus its purifying effect also lead to getting rid of toxins circulating or present in the body.
The presence of fiber facilitates intestinal regularity e favors the evacuation of feces solving any constipation problems.
Finally, the red currant is used to prevent problems in blood vessels such as venous thrombosis. In fact, in the red currant we find cunarin which is a substance with anticoagulant properties that helps to keep the blood more fluid thus improving the flow of the entire blood circulation and thus favoring the work of the heart.
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