14 Mar

Best Blackcurrants For Blackcurrant Juice And How To Choose Them

Blackcurrants are packed with Vitamin C and the juice has many medical advantages, which is why many juicers love them. They can pose some difficulties during juicing, however, as they can easily clog the mechanism of some machines. It’s best to juice blackcurrants at a low speed or use a manual juicer.

What are the Best Blackcurrants for Juicing?

Blackcurrants are a summer berry that somewhat resembles a dark cherry. They become available in mid June. The most common varieties for juicing are the Ben Avon and Ben Dorain. These hybrids have a higher concentration of Vitamin C than other varieties, making them some of the best blackcurrants for juicing.

Blackcurrants are not as easily accessible in a grocery store as many other types of fruit, so you may need to visit a health food store or find someone who grows them locally. They are more common in England than America, but they are fairly easy to grow and it’s possible to grow your own in the US.

Most commercial blackcurrants are grown in New York, Connecticut and Oregon, so they are easiest to obtain in those states. As they gain in popularity for their health benefits, they may become more popular in markets across the country.

Best blackcurrants for juicing

How to Choose Blackcurrants at Market

If you’re picking off the vine, the easiest way to test the ripeness of a blackcurrant is to taste it. They sweeten as they ripen, so once the fruit is sweet enough it can be harvested. Blackcurrants are harvested in bunches, with each branch of the shrub being cut away to trim the plant and harvest the berries. All berries on a single branch should be roughly equal in ripeness to each other.

If you’re shopping in the market, you should look for firm fruits without soft spots or blemishes. They should be very dark in color; a light berry will not be sweet enough and was picked immaturely. The berry should not be too soft for the touch. If you’re buying it in a package and cannot test its firmness, base your purchase on the berry’s color and lack of any visible blemishes.

07 Mar

Blackcurrant Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

The recommended dose of blackcurrent juice is 1.5 liters per day, because safety has not been reliably demonstrated when this juice is ingested in large quantities. Some individuals report blackcurrant juice side effects, and the juice is not recommended at all for persons suffering from some medical conditions.

Diarrhea

Individuals with sensitive digestion may report diarrhea or mild gastrointestinal upset upon drinking large quantities of this juice.

Do You Suffer From High Blood Pressure?

Drinking more than 1.5 liters a day is not recommended for people who suffer from high blood pressure as blackcurrent juice contains gamma-linolenic acid, which can alter blood pressure and counteract the effect of blood pressure medications.

blackcurrant juice side effects

Blackcurrant Juice Side Effects For People That Suffer From Blood Clotting Disorders And Venous Disorders

Blackcurrant juice contains anticoagulants, so it is not recommended for persons who suffer from blood clotting disorders, such as hemophiliacs. Similarly, the active ingredients in blackcurrant juice may increase peripheral blood flow and circulation, so it should not be consumed by those with venous disorders.

Other Negative Interactions

In addition, blackcurrent juice side effects have been reported in those taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as the juice can negatively interact with this medication.

Epilepsy

Blackcurrant juice side effects have been reported in those with epilepsy, as the juice may interact poorly with medications prescribed for this disorder.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as children and the elderly, should monitor their intake as immunity and bodily functions may be compromised or underdeveloped in these demographic groups.

26 Jan

Which Fruit Has The Most Calcium?

Calcium

Calcium is the main mineral found in the human body. Most of the body’s calcium is located in the bones and teeth. A small amount of calcium can be found in the blood and soft tissue. Calcium is crucial for keeping teeth and bones strong and healthy. The amount of calcium needed to maintain a healthy body will depend on any pre-existing conditions, a person’s sex and age.

Why Is Calcium Needed In Our Body

Calcium is needed in order to maintain a functioning body, heart, nervous system and metabolism. Having too much calcium in the body from a diet or supplements is rare. If a person has too much calcium in their body, they may experience nausea, fatigue or depression.

Postmenopausal women, vegetarians, and those who are lactose intolerant are at a higher risk for having a calcium deficiency. If a person suspects they have a deficiency, bone mineral density tests are available.

Almost every part of the body can be negatively impacted from a calcium deficiency. Calcium helps blood vessels and muscles contract, and this mineral also helps to regulate heart contractions. The right amount of calcium can help to prevent osteoporosis, and lower the risk of getting colon cancer.

If weight is a problem, calcium has been know to help a person loose those few extra pounds and accelerate their metabolism. Calcium has also been known to lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of getting hypertension. Calcium can be found in various dairy products, supplements, and in an multitude of fruits and vegetables.

Blackcurrant

Top Fruits For Calcium Content

The amounts of Calcium are given for 100g of each fruit.

1 Blackcurrant 61,60 mg
2 Orange 40,00 mg
3 Mulberry 39,00 mg
4 Elderberry 38,00 mg
5 Tangerine 37,00 mg
6 Fig 35,00 mg
7 Kiwi 34,00 mg
8 Jackfruit 34,00 mg
9 Redcurrant 33,00 mg
10 Lime 33,00 mg
11 Carrot 32,00 mg
12 Blackberry 29,00 mg
13 Lemon 26,00 mg
14 Gooseberry 25,00 mg
15 Raspberry 25,00 mg
16 Papaya 24,00 mg
17 Grapefruit 22,00 mg
18 Pumpkin 21,00 mg
19 Guava 18,00 mg
20 Strawberry 16,00 mg
21 Cucumber 16,00 mg
22 Grape 14,00 mg
23 Cherry (sweet) 13,00 mg
24 Pineapple 13,00 mg
25 Apricot 13,00 mg
26 Mangosteen 12,00 mg
27 Mango 10,00 mg
28 Tomato 10,00 mg
29 Pomegranate 10,00 mg
30 Melon (Cantaloupe) 9,00 mg
31 Cranberry 8,00 mg
32 Watermelon 7,00 mg
33 Blueberry 6,00 mg
34 Plum 6,00 mg
35 Peach 6,00 mg
36 Apple 6,00 mg
37 Durian 6,00 mg
38 Banana 5,00 mg
39 Lychee 5,00 mg
40 Pear 4,00 mg
41 Passion Fruit 0,40 mg

24 Jan

Blackcurrant Nutrition Facts

Blackcurrant Nutrition Facts

Betaine 0 mg
Calcium 61,6 mg
Calories 70,5 Calories
Carbohydrate 17,2 g
Carotene-a 0 mcg
Carotene-ß 0 mcg
Choline 0 mg
Copper 0,1 mg
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Fluoride 0 mcg
Folate 0 mcg
Iron 1,7 mg
Lutein-zeaxanthin 0 mcg
Lycopene  mcg
Magnesium 26,9 mg
Manganese 0,3 mg
Niacine 0,3 mg
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) 7950 µ mol TE
Pantothenic Acid 0,4 mg
Phosphorus 66,1 mg
Phytonutrients 0 mcg
Potassium 361 mg
Protein 1,6 g
Pyridoxine Vit. B6 0,066 mg
Riboflavin Vit. B2 0,1 mg
Selenium 0 mcg
Sodium 2,2 mg
Sugar 0 g
Thiamine 0,1 mg
Total Fat 0,5 g
Vitamin A 258 IU
Vitamin B6 0,1 mg
Vitamin C 203 mg
Vitamin E 1,1 mg
Vitamin K 0 mcg
Water 91,8 g
Zinc 0,3 mg

21 Jan

Which Fruit Has The Most Phosphorus?

Phosphorus

Phosphorus  is both a chemical element and a mineral nutrient that is vital to human, animal and plant life. Phosphates are salts that contain phosphorus and other minerals. Phosphorus derivatives and compounds are used commercially as components of fertilizer and also as food additives and leavening agents. Most of the foods we eat contain phosphorus.

Phosphorus In Our Body

Phosphorus is second only to calcium as the most plentiful mineral in the human body. Eighty-five percent of phosphorus is found in bones and teeth, but it is present in every cell of the body. It is even found in bodily fluids, cell membranes and DNA. The presence of phosphorus is necessary for the utilization of other nutrients such as: calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium and potassium.

Phosphorus is essential to many bodily functions. Its main purpose is to combine with calcium and assist the formation of healthy bones. Phosphorus also enables the body to convert carbohydrates into energy, helps synthesize proteins and aids in both the growth and repair of cells and tissues. It helps maintain a regular heartbeat and also assists in muscle contraction, kidney function and nerve conduction.

The recommended intake of phosphorus for a healthy adult is 700mg per day. Since most foods contain this mineral, deficiency is uncommon. However, certain medications, calcium carbonate supplements and antacids can cause low phosphorus levels. Deficiency may result in weight loss, poor bone growth, bone pain, poor nerve and brain function, skin sensitivity and brittle hair and nails.

The kidneys rid the body of excess phosphorus, so toxic levels are not common in those with healthy kidneys. An excess of carbonated drinks in the diet can lead to higher than normal levels; this may increase the risk of heart disease and cause brittle bones and diarrhea.

Blackcurrant

Top Fruits For Phosphorus Content

The amounts of Phosphorus are given for 100g of each fruit.

1 Blackcurrant 66,10 mg
2 Pumpkin 44,00 mg
3 Redcurrant 44,00 mg
4 Guava 40,00 mg
5 Elderberry 39,00 mg
6 Durian 39,00 mg
7 Mulberry 38,00 mg
8 Pomegranate 36,00 mg
9 Kiwi 34,00 mg
10 Lychee 31,00 mg
11 Raspberry 29,00 mg
12 Tomato 29,00 mg
13 Carrot 28,00 mg
14 Gooseberry 27,00 mg
15 Cucumber 24,90 mg
16 Strawberry 24,00 mg
17 Apricot 23,00 mg
18 Banana 22,00 mg
19 Blackberry 22,00 mg
20 Cherry (sweet) 21,00 mg
21 Peach 20,00 mg
22 Tangerine 20,00 mg
23 Grapefruit 18,00 mg
24 Lime 18,00 mg
25 Plum 16,00 mg
26 Lemon 16,00 mg
27 Melon (Cantaloupe) 15,00 mg
28 Orange 14,00 mg
29 Fig 14,00 mg
30 Passion Fruit 13,00 mg
31 Cranberry 13,00 mg
32 Blueberry 12,00 mg
33 Watermelon 11,00 mg
34 Apple 11,00 mg
35 Pear 11,00 mg
36 Mango 11,00 mg
37 Jackfruit 10,10 mg
38 Grape 10,00 mg
39 Mangosteen 8,00 mg
40 Papaya 5,00 mg
41 Pineapple 2,20 mg

15 Dec

The Amazing Health Benefits of Blackcurrant Juice

Black Currants are among the many berries that are very high in nutrient content and are excellent for your health. Black currants consumed as juice are even more potent and offer powerful health benefits for the conscious consumer. Many people have heard about this amazing juice but are unaware of exactly what the health benefits of blackcurrant juice are. By having a basic understanding of the advantages of consuming black currant juice, it is possible to experience an increase in health and energy levels for optimal wellbeing.

Health benefits of blackcurrant juice

Excellent Source of Vitamin C and Potassium

Black currants pack a powerful nutritional punch and have been used for centuries to cure many human ailments. Black currants are an excellent source of Vitamin C as well as Potassium. The Potassium levels in black currants are shown to be twice as much as the content found in bananas and the Vitamin C levels exceed that of oranges by four times. They are rich in many phytonutrients, antioxidants and vitamins.  Their antioxidant power is double that of the more well-known blueberries. In addition black currants contain a very rare Omega-6 essential fatty acid called Gamma-Linoleic Acid which is excellent for your health.

Main Health Benefits of Blackcurrant Juice: Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infections, Vision Disorders, Heart Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease

The main health benefits that have been associated with the consumption of black currants include the treatment of kidney stones, urinary tract infections, vision disorders, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to its multifaceted healing benefits, there is new research being done on black currant’s curative effects in regards to preventing liver cancer. The primary antioxidant called anthocyanin is found in black currants and this antioxidant has been known to help prevent liver cancer which is also one of the most common cancers in the world.

The black currant fruit can also be juiced for easy consumption which will yield the same nutritional benefits as the fruit itself. The fruit juice contains anthocyanin as well as a substance called cassis polysaccharide which has a combatant effect on toxic cells such as tumors. The black currant can be juiced but should not be heated as high temperatures reduce its nutritional value.

Health Benefits of Blackcurrant Juice In History

Although the health benefits of black currant juice may seem like recent findings, the fruit has been used for its health benefits for quite a number of years. Blackcurrants were used in Europe, Russia and North America for their health increasing properties. The Native Americans used blackcurrants to aid in their treatments of stomach pains, uterine discomforts as well as kidney problems. In addition, for the earlier part of the 19th and 20th centuries, European doctors used this powerful fruit as a remedy for scurvy and other infection such as urinary tract infections, inflammations and intestinal illnesses. German physicians used blackcurrants to help treat bladder stones and liver ailments as well as for use in lung disorders.

Antioxidant Power

The health benefits of black currant juice are many. By far the biggest appeal is the antioxidant power found in these tiny purple berries. The system used to measure the antioxidant strength of individual fruits is called TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity). According to the findings from this system, the antioxidant power found within currant is more than twice that of any other fruits. The antioxidants in black currant juice help to fight free radicals found within the body that could be potentially harmful to your health. They work to stop any potential damage before the free radicals can fully take effect and harm the healthy cells in your body.

Potassium

The potassium content in black currant juice is equivalent to 361mg making black currants an excellent source of potassium. The potassium found in currants offer vital nutrients to your body and can help to combat high blood pressure and stroke. It is also known to help maintain a healthy heart as and digestive system. The daily recommended intake of potassium is 4,700 and black currants are an excellent source.

The health benefits of blackcurrant juice are one of the main reasons for drinking this delicious beverage. The dark, rich purple berries are not only delicious but they have a host of health inducing properties that contribute to your overall wellbeing. Blackcurrant juice is a nutritious drink that is so powerful, it is being researched for its cancer preventative properties. By making blackcurrant juice a regular part of your diet, you too can reap the many benefits found in this potent fruit.