Blackcurrant

Fruity Box | Blackcurrant | Black currant plant is a small shrub belonging to the family of Grossulariaceae, of the genus; Ribes and has scientific name: Ribes nigrum. In general, currants grow best in regions where summer is humid but winter is severe and chilling. It is a fast growing, deciduous, small shrub reaching about 5-6 ft tall.

Blackcurrant Health Benefit :

• Blackcurrant have significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Scientific studies have shown that consumption of blackcurrants have potential health effects against cancer, aging, inflammation and neurological diseases.

• Black currants have anti-oxidant value (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity- ORAC) of 7950 per 100g. One of the highest among fruits after chokeberries, elderberry and cranberries. The ORAC value for red currants is 3387.

• These berries are an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin-C.  100 g of fresh currants provide more than 300% of daily recommended intake values of vitamin C. Research studies have shown that consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps body develop immunity against infectious agents and also help scavenge harmful oxygen free radicals from the body.

• Blackcurrants are very good in vitamin-A and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta carotene, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin levels. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining integrity of mucus membranes and skin, and is also essential for vision. Also, consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoid anti-oxidants helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

• Fresh Blackcurrants are also rich in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish and required for metabolism.

• They also contain good amounts of minerals iron. 100 g currant berries provide about 20% of daily recommended levels. Iron is an important co-factor for cytochrome oxidase guided cellular metabolism. It is also required for red blood cells production in the bone marrow.

• Blackcurrants are also very good source of other important minerals like copper, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and potassium which are very essential for body metabolism.