Red and black currants: calories, benefits and harms

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 16:12

It will be useful for people who are losing weight and simply watching their he alth and figure to find out what nutritional characteristics red and black currants have. Calorie content, useful substances, contraindications, recipes for jams and jams - you will find all this in our article.

About the benefits of red currant

The calorie content of red currant is only 39-43 kcal per 100 grams of fresh product. Dried berry contains 283 kcal for the same amount.

This berry is rich in vitamins C, B₅ and B_{6, A. It is also high in phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and iron.}

Almost every summer resident has at least one red currant bush, but for some reason there is no particular love for this berry. But in vain. Redcurrant is very useful for the circulatory system. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels and reduces blood clotting, preventing the development of thrombosis. The potassium it contains removes excess water from the body.

Also, the berry is useful for athletes and the elderly, because, despite the modest calorie content of currants, it gives energy and helps to rejuvenate the body. This effect is achieved thanks tocontent of succinic and malic acids.

Harmful properties of red currant

All of the above is true with moderate consumption. If you eat too many berries, you may experience problems such as bloating and diarrhea, since redcurrants have a mild laxative effect. It is also not recommended to eat it on an empty stomach. Those on a diet should take into account that although red currants are low in calories, the berry stimulates appetite, which can lead to overeating.

People with liver disease and high acidity of the stomach, as well as in the presence of diabetes, should eat red currants in small quantities. With pancreatitis, it is not recommended at all.

About the benefits of black currant

Blackcurrant, calorie content per 100 grams of which is about 38-43 kcal, for some reason is more respected than red. However, it is more useful than red. On the other hand, she also has more contraindications.

The berry contains four times more ascorbic acid than citrus fruits - 10-15 berries conclude the daily norm of this element. Also, blackcurrant is rich in sodium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Lots of vitamins A, D, E, group B.

Berries serve as an excellent prophylactic against colds. Also, blackcurrant removes isotopes from the body, and therefore is useful for people working in hazardous, including radiation production.

Harmful propertiesblackcurrant

Because the berry contains a lot of vitamin K and phenolic compounds that increase blood clotting, people diagnosed with thrombophlebitis should not eat blackcurrant.

You should also eat the berry in limited quantities if the acidity of the stomach is increased. Children are treated with caution to black currants, since, unlike red ones, they can cause an allergic reaction and skin rashes.

Red currant jam

Now let's talk about jam, which for some reason most people like more than fresh currants. The red berry sweet treat averages 284 calories per 100 grams, but the figure may vary depending on the ingredients used and the amount of sugar.

To make a simple redcurrant jam, you will need one kilogram of berries and a pound of sugar. In this case, the jam will turn out with a slight sourness. If someone likes it sweeter, you can use more sugar.

Sort ripe berries, free from twigs and leaves, rinse under running water and transfer to a saucepan. Next, sprinkle the berries with sugar and place the container in a cool place for 7-8 hours.

Then put the pot with the berries on the fire, add half a liter of water and, stirring, bring to a boil. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, then remove the mixture from the stove. Pour into sterilized jars, roll them up, turn them over, wrap them in a blanket and leave to cool completely.

Excellentjam is obtained by mixing red currants with oranges, raspberries or gooseberries.

Blackcurrant jam

They also like to make jam from this berry. Blackcurrant, which is low in calories when fresh, has an energy value of 284 kcal as a sweet treat, depending on the amount of sugar and ingredients.

To make jam, you need berries, sugar and some water. Usually the proportion of currants and sugar is 1:1, but this is a matter of taste. Pour the sugar into a saucepan and add 100-200 ml of water, depending on how thick the jam is.

Bring to a boil and add washed berries. Once again, wait until it boils, remembering to stir, then set a small fire. Simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring constantly and skimming occasionally.

It is recommended to pour jam into jars after it has cooled completely, otherwise the berries will float and the workpiece will not look very nice.

If you want to reduce the energy value, try undercooking the treat. Then you can use less sugar, and you will get blackcurrant jam, the calorie content of which will be lower.

How to make jam while preserving all the vitamins

There is a so-called raw jam. This option is suitable if you like fresh currants more. The calorie content of this delicacy will be higher, since you need more sugar than for classic jam.

Take two berries for every kilogramkilograms of sugar. Pass the currants through a meat grinder or chop with a blender, mix thoroughly with sugar and put the mixture in jars.

You can use less sugar, but then you will have to eat the resulting dessert faster. In general, raw jam is recommended to be stored in the refrigerator for no more than six months.

Low calorie currant diets

Dieters are often stressed out by cutting out sweets, and this is where currants can help. Its calorie content is low, so the berry can be used as a base for desserts.

For example, you can crush half a glass of berries and mix with low-fat cottage cheese. You can add a teaspoon of sugar to the mixture. This dessert contains 100-120 kcal per 100 grams.

Or make a blackcurrant soufflé.

1. Mash a tablespoon of berries.
2. Pour a teaspoon of agar into 100 ml of water, add a teaspoon of cane sugar, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to the smallest and simmer for 2-4 minutes.
3. Beat two egg whites to stiff peaks.
4. Mix proteins with hot syrup, add berry puree and beat everything thoroughly with a mixer.
5. Pour mixture into a mold, let cool and refrigerate.
6. After a few hours, remove the souffle from the mold and cut into pieces.

Currant diet

If you do not suffer from gastritis, hepatitis and peptic ulcers, you can try this summer menu. Suitable asblack and red berries, but if you have thrombophlebitis, then use only red.

The diet lasts four days and allows you to lose 3-4 kilograms. Its peculiarity is that between meals you can snack on currants. So you can achieve a feeling of full saturation and not harm the figure. It is recommended to drink water, unsweetened teas (black, green, herbal), as well as compotes, infusions and fruit drinks from berries.

Breakfast consists of one boiled egg, 30 grams of cheese and a glass of unsweetened currant compote.

For lunch, you can eat 100 grams of boiled meat (beef), fish or poultry. As a side dish, make a salad of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes, seasoning it with olive oil. Or you can do with lettuce leaves. Instead of meat, you can eat soup puree of tomatoes, sweet peppers, zucchini, onions and cauliflower. For dessert, a glass of fresh currants.

For dinner, mix 100 grams of cottage cheese and currants, and take currant juice as a drink.

So, we found out what is the calorie content of currants, what useful substances are contained in this berry, and also how to cook delicious jam. Bon appetit and good he alth!