Red Currant Health Benefits and Nutrition
These beautiful berries are popularly used as garnishes in food.
healthmunsta
Red Currant: A Healthy, Tart Berry
Red currants may be small, but they are tiny essential vitamin, mineral and antioxidant powerhouses that can help you look youthful, feel great and stay healthy and nourished.
Red currants are simultaneously sweet and immensely tart berries with a flavour similar to blackberries. They aren't quite as popular as other berries because they're too tart to eat by themselves; however, they shouldn't be discounted—they provide health benefits and are rich in antioxidants, as are most other berries. Their lovely, rosy appearance makes them popular decorative pieces and garnishes in various cuisines around the world.
These tiny berries are often made into jams, desserts and drinks, and they are used in alternative medicine due to their highly nutritious nature. Next time you buy red currants, add them to your smoothies, juices or sauces to make the most of this beautiful fruit.
Red Currant Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Health Benefits | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
Potassium | Stabilizes blood pressure and promotes cardiovascular health | 7% |
Fiber | Prevents constipation | 17% |
Protein | Building blocks of life, important in the growth and maintenance of every cell in the body | 2% |
Vitamin C | Strengthens the immune system and prevents free radical damage in body cells | 68% |
Vitamin B6 | Necessary for new skin cell formation | 5% |
Magnesium | Necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses, detoxification and energy production | 3% |
Iron | Essential for the formation of red blood cells | 5% |
Calcium | Important in the formation of strong bones and teeth | 3% |
Red currants look absolutely gorgeous—their tiny, round fruit hangs in bunches like grapes, and they have an enticingly rich red tinge.
healthmunsta
Quick Facts
- A mature red currant bush can produce up to 4 kg of fruit each summer.
- Red currants are native to parts of Western Europe and Asia.
- White currants, which come from the same plant, are often marketed as different fruits, but they are actually albino versions of red currant.
- 100 g of red currant contains 56 calories.
- These are fat-free and cholesterol-free berries.
Health Benefits
Despite being a fairly small berry (only about 6 mm in diameter!), red currants are full of healthy nutrients that benefit our bodies.
1. They can help create beautiful skin.
All berries are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for the skin. Red currants, in particular, are rich in vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that fights free-radical damage in skin cells. Vitamin C can also help with skin cell regeneration and is known to promote healing from harmful UV ray damage, although more research needs to be done on this topic. This makes red currants a great food to add to your skincare routine.
2. They assist in blood-cell formation.
Red currants are rich in iron, which is an essential element for the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells constitute 40–45% of the total composition of blood and carry out the work of transporting blood and other nutrients to various cells and organs in the body. Low iron levels can have many consequences that may be avoided by consuming iron-rich foods, including fruits like red currants.
3. Red currants help to strengthen the immune system.
Red currants are rich in vitamin C, which bolsters and nourishes the immune system, reducing the risk of being affected by viral and bacterial infections. It not only helps to prevent common colds, but it also gives the body the ability to fight against the formation of certain kinds of cancers. Vitamin C also plays an antioxidant role in the respiratory tract; thus, it may prove to be a source of relief for asthmatics and those suffering from allergies.
Cranberries look a lot like red currants.
4. They can aid with constipation.
Packed into these tart, tiny red berries is a fairly large dose of fibre. Fibre is an essential part of a balanced diet that promotes regular bowel movements by soaking up water in the lower digestive tract and cleaning and pushing out waste. It bulks up the colon and triggers bowel movements. Fibre prevents constipation, which is rampant in today's society due to the prevalence of refined and virtually fibre-free junk food.
5. Red currants are heart-healthy fruits.
Potassium is a heart-healthy mineral that plays an important role in cardiovascular health. It also helps prevent hypertension and lowers blood pressure. Potassium is also great for other organs, including the kidneys, and it may also reduce the risk of strokes.
Buying and Storage
- Select red currants that are firm and vibrant in colour. Soft and soggy berries are probably too ripe or spoiled.
- Once you purchase the berries, refrigerate them until you're ready to eat or display them—they will keep fresh for up to a week.
- Red currants can also be frozen to be used when they're not in season. If you're concerned that they'll spoil before you use them, simply pop them in the freezer.
- I never knew red currants would be so tart, and I simply bought them for their gorgeous red colour and cuteness. I ended up using them as a garnish, sneaking some into a fruit smoothie and sprinkling some in my morning Greek yogurt and granola.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
Comments
Ann Francis on July 09, 2019:
Only one picture featured in this article (the stem of bright red) it seems foolish to feature cranberry pictures here especially when so few are familiar with this fruit. I have been growing and eating them most of my eighty years of life - today I picked 4 quarts - with many more to pick - and came in search of food value/vitamins etc. was very disappointed in your pictures - these are little jewels.
Mohammed N Siddiqui on February 15, 2017:
For Heart Pump Vitamin "K" is very harmfull. Is red Berry have this vitamin K and how much?
Ri Chi on August 11, 2016:
Why is there no mention of vitamin K, nor manganese?
These are very important nutrients in red currants.
TurtleDog on January 22, 2014:
I'll have to keep an eye for these at the market. Sounds like something different, healthy and not a fruit I would have thought of buying. Voted up
