Currants

Currants and their juice are highly nutritious and have been used medicinally and therapeutically for hundreds of years. They can help to purify the blood, prevent anemia, counteract kidney problems, and benefit the nervous system. Currants are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C. In fact, currants have been shown to have four times the vitamin C than oranges and twice the antioxidants than blueberries. Currants also contain a rare Omega-6 essential fatty acid called Gamma- Linoleic Acid (GLA) that is especially beneficial for brain function, regulation of metabolism, proper immune system functioning, and reproductive health, particularly PMS and fertility. The anthocyanins contained in currants are known to significantly reduce inflammation in the body in a similar way that aspirin, ibuprofen, and cortisone work. Black currant juice is often taken by those who suffer from arthritis, chronic allergies, asthma, colitis, and other autoimmune disorders to help reduce swelling and ease any discomfort or pain. Currants also contain cassis polysaccharide (CAPS) which has powerful anti-cancer properties which only increases their benefits. Fresh currants (found in the produce department or local farmer’s market) or cold pressed juice (found in the refrigerated juice section of your health food store) is ideal, but when they are unavailable then dried currants (found online or in the dried fruit department of your health food store) can be soaked and added to smoothies, snacked on whole like raisins, or steeped in water for cold or hot tea.