July 2 2007, 10:34

British recognized black currant to be the most useful berry

Black currant is recognized by British scientists to be the most useful berry among all berries grown on British Isles. Daily Telegraph informed about this fact with the reference to the research conducted by Derek Stewort from Scottish Crop Research Institute, SCRI. According to D. Stewort, he conducted his research in order to bring those people more knowledge who hesitate to choose fruits. Most fruits are exotic, their properties have not been well studied yet.

Black currant has excelled all other berry crops as for the quantity and concentration of vitamins, minerals and other useful substances. The researcher studied 20 substances in total. Black currant consumption combats cancer, Alzheimer disease, it prevents the diseases of heart, vessels, diabetes, it preserves the acuity of vision, eliminates the weakening of the mental power among the senior people.

The scientists observed that more antioxidants are contained in the fruits of more dark or deep red color; antioxidants are extraordinary useful for health. According to this parameter, black currant was above competition. Even in the Middle Ages leaves and berries of black currant were used for treatment of kidney stones, the diseases of liver and respiratory tracts.

According to information provided by the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits", black currant is a traditional berry for Ukraine. The commercial production of black currant has been growing quite dynamically in recent years in the country. Around 25,000 tons of black currant are annually harvested in the country. Despite of the rather small production (around five grams per capita in total), the black currant growers start to frequently face the problem to sell berry. Black currant is not popular as the fresh product for consumption; it is more frequently used to cook the home-made jams and jelly. The producers of fruit juices and juice-containing drinks, fruit and berry wines, the confectionery factories and other food producers also buy black currant.