Juicy Blackcurrants.... mmmmmmm

Blackcurrants can REDUCE risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and Parkinson’s disease

THEY'RE a humble berry growing in hedgerows up and down the country but did you know blackcurrants could be the secret to a healthier life?

By Felicity Thistlethwaite Felicity Thistlethwaite

PUBLISHED: 06:20, Fri, Sep 25, 2015 | UPDATED: 09:53, Fri, Sep 25, 2015

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GETTY-Blackcurrants don't get the praise they deserve, and they could be saving lives

Usually associated with drinks or summer pudding, blackcurrants don't get enough high-fives for all the great work they do.

Packed with vitamin C they should really be labelled as a super food - but we all know that branding doesn't really mean anything anyway.

But news scientists in Finland have discovered berries such as blackcurrants may be linked to reducing risk factors associated diabetes.

If we're being technical the berries are actually linked to reducing the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrom -  which is the medical term for a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. 

GETTY-It's thought dark berries could work wonders when it comes to various ailments

The study found those who incorporated berries into their diet significantly reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) – high levels of ALAT usually indicate a damaged liver.

The 23 per cent decrease in the ALAT value in the berry group showed significant signs of enhancing liver function.

In the long term, this reduction could contribute to a decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease - which is a win-win situation.

The juices in berries also affect the enzymes that regulate the so-called ‘happy chemicals’ serotonin and dopamine in our bodies.

Researchers at Northumbria University discovered blackcurrants could enhance your mood, boost energy levels and even combat symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and depression.

GETTY- Blackcurrants are linked to reducing depression and even Parkinson's disease

Impressive for a berry most of us associate with squashes and cordials, right?

By incorporating blackcurrants and other deep purple foods into your diet, it's said to enabling the human body to protect itself against a wide array of diseases and infections and fight back when under attack.

British blackcurrants are grown and bred especially for their high level of anthocyanins, which gives them their deep purple colour, and helps to ward off a multitude of different illnesses, from the common cold to cystitis.

Whilst they can only be found fresh during the season, which starts mid-June in Britain and lasts until the end of August, their health benefits can be reaped all year round in the form of blackcurrant juices, cordials, yoghurts and frozen fruit.

Source:http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/diets/602497/Diabetes-symptoms-high-blood-pressure-Parkinson-s-disease-blackcurrants?_ga=1.45495981.865290387.1456944170

Brush up for currant affairs for longer life: The fruit which is giving people years

WHETHER you pop them in smoothies, make them into a compote or serve with roast duck, blackcurrants, which are in season throughout the summer months and available frozen the rest of the year, are bursting with goodness.

By ANGELA DOWDEN

PUBLISHED: 14:01, Tue, Sep 1, 2015 | UPDATED: 14:17, Tue, Sep 1, 2015

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Getty Images/Foodcollection
When it comes to eating healthily, purples really are the new greens

This tiny purple berry has high levels of antioxidant polyphenols, particularly anthocyanins, which have been shown to help maintain cardiovascular, brain and urinary tract health, as well as healthy vision.

Here are five reason to include them in your diet.

Strengthens immunity

Blackcurrants contain four times more vitamin C than oranges and a whopping 33 times more than blueberries.

The researchers found that after consuming blackcurrants, attention and mood were improved and mental fatigue cut

Making a tasty blackcurrant compote with a little sugar or stevia sweetener doesn’t undo the benefit either as a typical 140g serving of sweetened, stewed blackcurrants contains 182mg vitamin C, which is more than twice the recommended daily amount of this vitamin that is required for a healthy immune system.

Helps cardiovascular function

Anthocyanins are the components of blackcurrants that give them a deep purple colour and are also potent antioxidants that have been linked with reduced risk of cardiovasculardisease.

One theory is they protect the insides of arteries from damage that is an early step in the furring of arteries.

Other components called procyanidins in blackcurrants help keep blood vessels more elastic, while the berries are also a great source of potassium which helps keep blood pressure healthy.

Boosts your brain

Super-healthy anthocyanins in blackcurrants may also help to protect nerve cells and potentially keep you more mentally agile.

Scientists at the New Zealand institute Plant & Food Research, working in collaboration with Northumbria University in the UK, designed a study in which 36 adults were given either 250ml of blackcurrant juice, 250ml of blackcurrant extract or a placebo drink, before participating in a series of challenging metal performance tests.

The researchers found that after consuming either blackcurrant drink, attention and mood were improved and mental fatigue cut.

Improves the workout

There’s some evidence that blackcurrants could help with athletic performance.

Researchers at the University of Chichester looked at the effect of blackcurrant powder capsules (each equivalent to 100 blackcurrants) on performance during high intensity interval sprints.

They found that taking the supplement increased the distance that sprinters (who were not elite athletes) could cover by nearly 11 per cent and enabled them to exercise for 10 per cent longer.

Alamy
Get your blackcurrant fix however you can, whether it's in a smoothie, or part of a main meal

Experts surmise blackcurrants may reduce the oxidation-related stress on the body that leads to fatigue as well as having anti inflammatory properties and helping blood flow.

Footballers, rugby players and runners could benefit.

Age-proofs the skin

Blackcurrants also top the bill as a skin-friendly fruit as anthocyanins and vitamin C create cross-links that reinforce and strengthen the collagen to firm and tighten skin.

There’s no guarantee the super berries will get rid of wrinkles but as part of a healthy diet including at least five portions of fruit and veg daily, they’ll contribute to ageproofing your body inside and out. 

Source: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/602205/Blackcurrant-longer-life-antiaging-skin-workout-boost