6 AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLACK CURRANT
1. Anthocyanins: Powerful Natural for Vision Health and More
Black currants are almost as pretty as they are powerful, with a deep, rich, reddish or purplish-black color. Interestingly, the compound that creates that color, called anthocyanin, is also responsible for some of the black currant’s most medicinal properties.
What exactly are anthocyanins, and how can they help you? As a powerful plant with antioxidant properties, anthocyanins are found in particularly high quantities in black currant. It’s been extensively researched for its many health benefits:
Anti-cancer. Various studies have shown that anthocyanins have potential anti-cancer effects, with one study showing that the compound suppressed tumor growth in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
Diabetes. In animal studies, anthocyanins have been shown to offer health benefits to diabetics by addressing insulin resistance.
Eye health. Anthocyanin-rich foods like black currant are known to be incredibly supportive of eye health.
In various studies, black currant anthocyanins were shown to increase nourishing blood flow to the eyes in patients with glaucoma, reduce intraocular pressure in the eye, and slow down visual field deterioration.
2. GLA has Powerful Anti-inflammatory Effects
We’ll get back to the power of anthocyanins soon, but first let’s take a look at another unique property of black currant: GLA. Short for gamma-linolenic acid, GLA is abundantly found in black currant seeds.
According to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, GLA is an important Omega-6 oil. Like essential fatty acids, Omega-6 and Omega-3 oils are fundamental to healthy human function, contributing to healthy skin, hair growth, brain function, and metabolism.
Each essential fatty acid is used in a different way by your body, and gamma-linolenic acid is uniquely helpful in fighting against inflammation.
This is because your body converts GLA into an inflammation-reducing substance called DGLA.
For this reason, black currant can be very helpful for those with joint pain and stiffness caused by inflammation.
In fact, the Arthritis Foundation cites an exciting study in which patients with the inflammatory disorder rheumatoid arthritis experienced far less pain, more joint mobility, and decreased stiffness as a result of GLA’s incredible anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Black Currants Have Immune-Boosting, Virus-Fighting Power
Remember those anthocyanins in black currants?
In addition to their antioxidant power and their role in supporting eye health, anthocyanins in black currant have been shown to boost the body’s immune response – which can help your body fight infections and viruses more effectively.
Take the flu virus, for example. Although the only way to become immune to a specific flu virus is through developing antibodies, anthocyanins are thought to have anti-viral benefits by supporting your body’s natural immune response to influenza.
In this way, anthocyanins may be a powerful ally in decreasing flu symptoms. In fact, studies have shown that anthocyanins can help your body produce tumor necrosis factor alpha, which has a viricide (virus-killing) effect.
4. Antioxidants: Increase Alertness, Enhance Brain Function, and Slow the Aging Process
No exploration of black currant’s properties would be complete without a look at its incredible antioxidant effects. We’ve all heard about antioxidants – but how exactly do they help?
First, it’s important to understand the oxidation process in the body.
As we become exposed to pollution, interact with toxins, and go through the natural aging process, oxidative stress in the body generates harmful particles called free radicals.
Free radicals damage brain cells and accelerate the aging process.
Antioxidants, just like the name suggests, slow oxidation and fight free radicals. This can have some incredible benefits in the body:
Increased Alertness & Enhanced Brain Function. Need a brain boost? One interesting study had 36 young
volunteers consume either a placebo or black currant juice before taking a series of mental tests.
Those who had taken the black currant juice showed better cognitive abilities, memory, alertness, and attention span than the placebo group.
Slowed Aging Process. As we age, oxidative stress can damage the neurons that are so essential for peak brain function.
Over time, this can contribute to diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Various animal studies have shown that the antioxidant content in black currant can protect nerve cells from oxidative stress prevent memory loss, and fight the aging process.
Though more studies are needed on this anti-aging power, the Alzheimer’s Society strongly recommends incorporating antioxidant-rich foods into your diet.
5. Manganese in Black Currants Helps Balance & Control Blood Sugar
Those who suffer from blood sugar imbalances like diabetes are at a greater risk of major issues like stroke and heart disease.
Keeping blood sugar levels in check is an important part of staying healthy and avoiding serious fluctuations in blood sugar like hyperglycemia (too much blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar.)
Enter manganese: an essential mineral that’s found in black currant.
Those with diabetes are often shown to be deficient in manganese, but adding manganese to the diet can play a role in regulating blood sugar.
How does it do that? Well, manganese helps boost the enzyme in our bodies that helps us process glucose in our body, contributing to more balanced sugar levels.
6. Improve Digestion Through Soluble and Insoluble Fiber
We have already discussed how black currants can boost levels of gut-healthy bacteria, which can prove pivotal in supporting a healthy digestive system.
Black currants are almost as pretty as they are powerful, with a deep, rich, reddish or purplish-black color. Interestingly, the compound that creates that color, called anthocyanin, is also responsible for some of the black currant’s most medicinal properties.
What exactly are anthocyanins, and how can they help you? As a powerful plant with antioxidant properties, anthocyanins are found in particularly high quantities in black currant. It’s been extensively researched for its many health benefits:
Anti-cancer. Various studies have shown that anthocyanins have potential anti-cancer effects, with one study showing that the compound suppressed tumor growth in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
Diabetes. In animal studies, anthocyanins have been shown to offer health benefits to diabetics by addressing insulin resistance.
Eye health. Anthocyanin-rich foods like black currant are known to be incredibly supportive of eye health.
In various studies, black currant anthocyanins were shown to increase nourishing blood flow to the eyes in patients with glaucoma, reduce intraocular pressure in the eye, and slow down visual field deterioration.
2. GLA has Powerful Anti-inflammatory Effects
We’ll get back to the power of anthocyanins soon, but first let’s take a look at another unique property of black currant: GLA. Short for gamma-linolenic acid, GLA is abundantly found in black currant seeds.
According to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, GLA is an important Omega-6 oil. Like essential fatty acids, Omega-6 and Omega-3 oils are fundamental to healthy human function, contributing to healthy skin, hair growth, brain function, and metabolism.
Each essential fatty acid is used in a different way by your body, and gamma-linolenic acid is uniquely helpful in fighting against inflammation.
This is because your body converts GLA into an inflammation-reducing substance called DGLA.
For this reason, black currant can be very helpful for those with joint pain and stiffness caused by inflammation.
In fact, the Arthritis Foundation cites an exciting study in which patients with the inflammatory disorder rheumatoid arthritis experienced far less pain, more joint mobility, and decreased stiffness as a result of GLA’s incredible anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Black Currants Have Immune-Boosting, Virus-Fighting Power
Remember those anthocyanins in black currants?
In addition to their antioxidant power and their role in supporting eye health, anthocyanins in black currant have been shown to boost the body’s immune response – which can help your body fight infections and viruses more effectively.
Take the flu virus, for example. Although the only way to become immune to a specific flu virus is through developing antibodies, anthocyanins are thought to have anti-viral benefits by supporting your body’s natural immune response to influenza.
In this way, anthocyanins may be a powerful ally in decreasing flu symptoms. In fact, studies have shown that anthocyanins can help your body produce tumor necrosis factor alpha, which has a viricide (virus-killing) effect.
4. Antioxidants: Increase Alertness, Enhance Brain Function, and Slow the Aging Process
No exploration of black currant’s properties would be complete without a look at its incredible antioxidant effects. We’ve all heard about antioxidants – but how exactly do they help?
First, it’s important to understand the oxidation process in the body.
As we become exposed to pollution, interact with toxins, and go through the natural aging process, oxidative stress in the body generates harmful particles called free radicals.
Free radicals damage brain cells and accelerate the aging process.
Antioxidants, just like the name suggests, slow oxidation and fight free radicals. This can have some incredible benefits in the body:
Increased Alertness & Enhanced Brain Function. Need a brain boost? One interesting study had 36 young
volunteers consume either a placebo or black currant juice before taking a series of mental tests.
Those who had taken the black currant juice showed better cognitive abilities, memory, alertness, and attention span than the placebo group.
Slowed Aging Process. As we age, oxidative stress can damage the neurons that are so essential for peak brain function.
Over time, this can contribute to diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Various animal studies have shown that the antioxidant content in black currant can protect nerve cells from oxidative stress prevent memory loss, and fight the aging process.
Though more studies are needed on this anti-aging power, the Alzheimer’s Society strongly recommends incorporating antioxidant-rich foods into your diet.
5. Manganese in Black Currants Helps Balance & Control Blood Sugar
Those who suffer from blood sugar imbalances like diabetes are at a greater risk of major issues like stroke and heart disease.
Keeping blood sugar levels in check is an important part of staying healthy and avoiding serious fluctuations in blood sugar like hyperglycemia (too much blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar.)
Enter manganese: an essential mineral that’s found in black currant.
Those with diabetes are often shown to be deficient in manganese, but adding manganese to the diet can play a role in regulating blood sugar.
How does it do that? Well, manganese helps boost the enzyme in our bodies that helps us process glucose in our body, contributing to more balanced sugar levels.
6. Improve Digestion Through Soluble and Insoluble Fiber
We have already discussed how black currants can boost levels of gut-healthy bacteria, which can prove pivotal in supporting a healthy digestive system.