What is useful gooseberries for the human body

A thorny bush with green-golden berries in a thin dark strip can be found in each country or homestead. In the classic version, gooseberry berries are green-yellow, but varieties with a different color have long been bred, which does not at all affect their usefulness for the human body. It is inconvenient to pick berries, the branches are covered with sharp frequent spikes, but the harvest is worth the effort, since a handful of berries is able to fill half the daily requirement of the adult body for essential vitamins.

Spiny Vitamin Casket

Nature is generous with gifts, especially with regard to berry diversity. Each region has its own favorites. In the north it is cloudberries, cranberries, blueberries, in the middle latitudes - raspberries, currants, strawberries, gooseberries.

In the wild, it is distributed in Altai, along the banks of the Yenisei, in the countries of North America, Europe, Asia, the Caucasus, and Algeria. In most regions of Russia, a wild species is still found in the forests of Bryansk, Oryol, Tula, Samara and other regions. It is unpretentious, grows in shaded, moist places, has a sour taste and small berry size.

Its composition is so rich that purposeful work began on its cultivation. With the help of breeding, about 1500 varieties were bred. In Russia, it has been well known for several centuries, the first mention of it is found in documents of the XI century. It was called differently: bersen, kryzh, argist and cultivated along with fruit trees.

In European countries they learned about it 5 centuries later, at first they used it as decorative green fences and much later examined this treasure more closely, having studied its unique composition.

Varieties and their features

Wild varieties were taken as the basis of most varieties, and those that grow in Siberia and Altai were selected for cold-resistant ones. For the southern regions, Asian varieties were excellently suited; for the soil poor in mineral salts, the so-called rock gooseberry was saved.

When planting a particular variety, its taste characteristics, the presence or absence of spikes, yield indicators and fitness for the region’s climate are taken into account. The most famous:

1. Altai, it perfectly takes root in most regions, medium early, amber-yellow berries, sweet with a slight acidity.
2. Harlequin belongs to the dark varieties, resistant to disease, grows mainly in the West Siberian and Ural regions.
3. Green rain is distinguished by large oval fruits with a thin peel through which seeds are visible, ripens in late summer, the harvest is plentiful.
4. The gingerbread man is not picky about the region of growth, dark berries keep well on thin semi-emptied branches, do not crumble, ripen together, the variety is fruitful.
5. The consul pleases with spectacular dark red berries with darker stripes, a winter-hardy variety, the taste of sweet and sour berries with a tart note.
6. Affectionate has taken root in all regions, it is characterized by an almost complete absence of thorns, berries are perfect for jams and preserves.

Varieties differ in appearance, ripening time of berries, the level of resistance to typical diseases, the ability to tolerate frost and prolonged drought.

Gooseberry Benefits

Despite the variety of varieties, the composition of the berries is approximately the same, as well as their beneficial qualities. The berries contain a large content:

• vitamins A, B, E, C, PP, K, N;
• biotin;
• nicotinic and folic acids;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• silicon;
• iron;
• sodium;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• organic acids;
• ash;
• trace elements;
• fructose;
• mono and disaccharides.

All substances are easily absorbed by the body. Especially valuable is the high content of vitamins C and A, such rare elements as lithium, boron, vanadium, zirconium.

A rich set of nutrients gives the berries special properties. Gooseberries are capable of:

• improve vision, stop the development of cataracts;
• strengthen hair and nails;
• slow down the aging process;
• remove toxins and toxins;
• relieve swelling;
• normalize the work of the kidneys and liver;
• stabilize intestinal motility;
• strengthen the heart muscle;
• restore elasticity to the vessels;
• lower sugar levels;
• improve appetite;
• boost immunity.

Important: regular use of gooseberries in the summer season has an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, choleretic effect. These properties are inherent in berries, leaves and freshly squeezed juice.

In medicine, gooseberries are included in drug collections and are used separately, helping to break up and remove stones from the kidneys and ducts, cleanse blood vessels, stimulate blood circulation, and accelerate metabolism. Tea, which includes leaves of the bush, improves mood, stabilizes the emotional background, avoiding depressive recessions, helps to cope with menopausal syndrome.

Please note: during the period of flu epidemics, gooseberries enhance immunity and resistance to viruses.

Berries are appreciated by nutritionists for their ability to quickly break down fats. 100 gr. per day is enough to speed up metabolism and enhance the effect of losing weight with weight control programs. The sweet and sour taste of berries makes a variety of dietary dishes.

For women
The rich composition of berries in the season will replace pharmacy vitamin complexes during menopause, provided that calcium supplements are taken additionally. Gooseberries act as an antidepressant, it contains bioflavonoids and phytoestrogens that can stabilize the emotional background.

During pregnancy, a small number of berries removes the manifestation of toxicosis, improves appetite, prevents the appearance of edema, strengthens the heart muscle. Folic acid, vitamins A and group B are necessary for the normal formation of the fetus and the prevention of vitamin deficiency. A high vitamin C content will help you stay healthy with an increased number of respiratory illnesses.

It is worth remembering: the recommended number of berries per day is not more than 100 grams.

For men
Cardiovascular diseases have become much “younger”, it is the male part of the population that heart attacks are more likely to threaten. Micro and macroelements in the composition of gooseberries strengthen the heart muscle, remove excess cholesterol, restore vascular elasticity, preventing the development of a pre-infarction state.

Improving the regeneration and supplying the body with a vitamin complex enhances immunity, activates sexual desire, increases potency, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, reducing the risk of prostatitis.

For kids
Gooseberry juice and pulp is introduced into the composition of complementary foods, starting from 7 months. The first serving should not exceed half a teaspoon. If there are no allergic reactions and indigestion, then you can gradually increase the amount of product to 50 gr. in a day. Such a vitamin supplement normalizes metabolism, reduces the risk of dermatitis, and strengthens the body's resistance to viruses and pathogenic bacteria. Berries with a pleasant taste for hyperactive children will help to calm down a bit, improve sleep, because they have a small sedative effect.

The use of gooseberries can reduce sugar, accelerate tissue regeneration, which is important for patients with diabetes.

Contraindications

There are few restrictions on the use of berries, but they are. If an exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases, increased acidity, and allergies is diagnosed, then gooseberries cannot be introduced into the diet.Before surgical interventions and 2 weeks after them, it is also worth giving up treats. Children under 7 months old should not be mashed and gooseberry juice is not worth it, the digestive system of babies is still not able to cope with the acid contained in the berries.

Gooseberry in folk medicine

For medicinal purposes, use fruits, leaves and young twigs. Decoctions, infusions, medical compresses and cosmetic masks are prepared from them.

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. To eliminate stagnation of bile, an infusion of berries and boiling water is prepared in a ratio of 2: 3, kept in a thermos for 5-6 hours, taken half an hour before meals 3 times a day for 120 g.
2. The broth is able to stop the prolonged diarrhea. To do this, take freshly squeezed juice for 1 tbsp. spoon with half a glass of water.
3. Another recipe for stopping diarrhea is to prepare a decoction of berries at the rate of Art. a spoonful of raw materials per 250 ml. boiling water. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes, cool, filter. Multiplicity of admission - 4 times a day, 1 glass in a warm form.

A sore throat
To alleviate the condition, mix juice and honey in a ratio of 2: 1, take 50 gr. 5-6 times during the day. Anti-inflammatory properties of both components relieve pain, swelling, restore the mucous membrane.

Joint diseases
Exacerbation of pain with arthritis and arthrosis begins in the evening. For a quiet sleep, compresses from tinctures of fruits are used. The composition includes 300 gr. mashed berries and gruel berries and 1 cup of vodka. The mixture is infused for 3 days, filtered. A linen or cotton napkin is impregnated with infusion, applied in a sore spot, insulated.

Nourishing and whitening face mask
Organic acids, vitamins and trace elements in berries cleanse the pores, strengthen blood vessels, normalize blood flow, stimulate the production of elastane, rejuvenate, lighten pigmented skin areas. To prepare the mask, you need 2 tablespoons of berries and avocado pulp, 1 tsp each. extra virgin olive oil and buckwheat flour. Components are crushed, thoroughly mixed to a homogeneous mass. A warm mixture is applied to the skin of the face, neck and décolleté, avoiding areas around the eyes. The mask is aged 15-20 minutes, washed off with warm water or a decoction of chamomile. Gives the skin velvety, heals minor injuries, nourishes, restores the structure, tightens pores.

Gooseberries in cooking

I want to keep the berries for the winter, since the harvest season lasts only 2-3 weeks. You can use quick freezing and cook stewed fruit in the winter without preliminary defrosting. From the fruits are very tasty jams, jam, jam. If it is boiled for longer, then it is suitable as a filling for sweet cakes. A berry bake perfectly quenches thirst in the summer heat.

The benefits of gooseberries are invaluable to people of all ages. It is enjoyed by kids and adults, gaining health and enjoying the taste of sweet and sour berries.

Video: gooseberry: why this berry should be in the diet of urban residents