What is the use of gooseberries for the body of men, women, during pregnancy

The health benefits and harms of gooseberries continue to be actively studied by experts in the field of nutrition and health. The plant belongs to the Gooseberry family, the genus Currant. This is a shrub with large fruits: from 12 to 40 mm in length and weighing up to 60 g. Currently, more than 1,5 thousand plant varieties of a cultivated or wild group have been discovered, each of which has its own unique decorative and taste qualities. The taste of berries can vary from sour to sweet, the same rich variety and color range of fruits: from pale green, emerald and yellow to bright orange or purple. Gooseberries grow in many countries, which include Europe, Africa, America, Asia, the Caucasus, Ukraine and Our Country.

Despite the wide distribution of the berry, not everyone knows what the benefits and harms of gooseberries for the human body are, and what effect they have on human health.

The composition and value of gooseberries

The composition of gooseberries contains 84 – 90% water, carbohydrates, fiber, starch, pectin, oligo- and monosaccharides. In addition, the fruits are rich in organic acids, of which 37 – 54% is ascorbic. The composition is also rich in tannins, carotenoids, catechins and substances containing nitrogen. The product also contains salts of potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium.

The concentration of certain elements in the composition of the berry is significantly influenced by the gooseberry variety, its place of growth, the degree of ripeness, as well as the growing conditions of the shrub.

Vitamin content

The benefits of gooseberries for human health are due to the rich content of useful substances in their composition, among which vitamins occupy one of the most important positions. The composition of the berries contains:

• vitamins of group C (up to 60% of the daily requirement of the body);
• vitamins of group B;
• provitamin A (up to 15%).

The composition of gooseberries with a dark color includes vitamin P and pectin, which contribute to the active removal of heavy metal salts from the body.

This berry is also valuable for mineral components such as potassium, iodine, sodium, calcium, iron, manganese, cobalt, zinc, phosphorus and copper. Of the organic acids in gooseberries, you can find malic and citric, as well as folic acids.

The most beneficial are nitrogenous and tannins in the composition of the berry, as well as theanine, which has a hemostatic property. Due to the high content of pectin, the use of gooseberries helps to remove heavy salts from the body, and leucoanthocyanins and anthocyanins help to get rid of accumulated toxins and toxins.

Gooseberry calories

The energy value of 100 g of gooseberries is only 45 kcal. BJU: 12 g carbohydrates, 0,7 g protein, 0,3 g fat. Berries also contain 15% sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose).

An equally important factor is the glycemic index of the product, which helps determine the increase in blood sugar when it is consumed. In gooseberries, this indicator is low, equal to 25 units, which means that sugars are evenly transformed into energy that the body quickly consumes. Low calorie content and glycemic index allows people with diabetes to consume the berry, as well as when losing weight.

Useful properties of gooseberries

Gooseberries are rich in hypotensive and capillary-strengthening substances, as well as anti-sclerotic P-active compounds, which is why the product is of particular benefit in the treatment and prevention of hypertension, atherosclerosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system. Gooseberry infusion has the ability to remove excess cholesterol from the body, and thanks to serotonin in the composition of the product, it has an antitumor effect.

You can use gooseberries both fresh and as decoctions in the presence of hypovitaminosis, lack of iron, copper or phosphorus in the body, to normalize metabolism, in the treatment of chronic constipation, gastroenterocolitis, dropsy, and also to stop bleeding.

Gooseberry weakens or strengthens

Gooseberries are rich in plant fiber, which in a soluble form contributes to the beneficial nutrition of the intestinal microflora, and the insoluble form tends to enhance peristalsis and increase stool in volume. Because of this, the berry is indicated for use in the presence of constipation, as well as for their prevention.

Which gooseberry is healthier

Gooseberries can be consumed both in the form of fresh berries and in the form of various cooking options (for example, jam). However, it is worth remembering: heat treatment can “block” most of the useful properties of the product. Therefore, when using gooseberries for medicinal purposes, it is better to give preference to fresh berries. This will help stimulate the metabolic process in the body and normalize the state of health.

The benefits of gooseberries for the body

Due to the presence in the composition of many substances necessary for the body, gooseberries have many health benefits that not every lover of this berry is aware of.

The benefits of gooseberries for men

Gooseberries are a useful product for the body of men due to the rich composition of vitamins from A to PP, as well as beta-carotene. In combination with microelements, useful substances stimulate the acceleration of the metabolic process and improve blood flow, which is extremely important during sports training.

The use of gooseberries helps to gain muscle mass and tone the male body as a whole, since the product helps to activate most of its systems and balance the level of hormones in the body. In addition, the berry helps to strengthen the nervous system and prevent stress.

Experts recommend eating the berry for men with problems in the cardiovascular system: gooseberries help reduce the risk of stroke, which is one of the main causes of death among males.

You can learn more information about the benefits and harms of gooseberries for human health, as well as the valuable properties of the berry, from the video:

Useful properties and contraindications of gooseberries for women

It is difficult not to appreciate the benefits of gooseberries for women: in addition to saturating the body with a number of essential vitamins, the berry has a beneficial effect on most of its systems, including hormonal, which helps to successfully use the product for the benefit of women’s health.

Can gooseberries be pregnant

The benefits of eating gooseberries during pregnancy are manifested in strengthening the walls of blood vessels and the immune system, normalizing metabolism, and improving digestive processes. Thanks to the participation of folic acid, the neural tube of the fetus is formed and the risk of miscarriage is significantly reduced, and the action of pectin is manifested in the removal of toxins and salts of heavy metals. Gooseberries have a low calorie content, and therefore it can be introduced into the diet of fasting days in order to reduce weight.

Quite often, gestation can be accompanied by anemia, due to which the hemoglobin level drops significantly even in the body of a healthy woman. The iron contained in the composition of the product can help with such conditions in complex therapy. Calcium, which is rich in gooseberries, will help replenish the element for the skeletal system in the body of the expectant mother and baby.

The beneficial properties of gooseberries are also manifested in eliminating the symptoms of toxicosis, preventing nausea and vomiting, and the sour taste of the berries stimulates appetite.

The benefits of eating gooseberries for pregnant women lie in the normalization of kidney function, which helps to relieve these organs of a serious load during a special period in a woman’s life. The use of berries stimulates the removal of excess fluid from the body, which, in turn, affects the reduction of swelling in the legs. The inclusion of the product in the diet of the expectant mother will contribute to the treatment of pyelonephritis and cystitis.

The beneficial property of gooseberries to restore bowel function is also of great importance in late pregnancy, when the fetus begins to put pressure on the woman’s abdominal cavity, including the intestinal area, which often causes severe constipation.

Is it possible to gooseberry while breastfeeding

The period of breastfeeding is a rather important stage in the development of a newborn, so a woman should take special care of her diet. The composition of the gooseberry contains valuable vitamins and minerals, the restoration of which in the body of a woman during feeding is important.

Therefore, the gradual introduction of gooseberries into the diet will help improve the quality of breast milk, replenish the energy reserves of a woman’s body exhausted by childbirth, and also:

• strengthen teeth and gums;
• speed up the metabolism, which is extremely important when restoring the figure after childbirth;
• normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract of both mother and baby, prevent the appearance of colic.

At what age can gooseberries be for children

Gooseberries are extremely rarely capable of causing allergic reactions, however, the organic acids contained in it can provoke digestive system disorders. Therefore, the berry should not be introduced into the baby’s diet until he reaches 12 months.

At an early stage (1 – 1,5 years), a child can consume gooseberries in the form of juices, since the pulp of the berry contains bones that are not digestible by the child’s body. Experts advise diluting the drink with water in a ratio of 1: 2 so that the components in the gooseberry do not irritate the child’s digestive system. It is better to start with minimal portions (a few drops), gradually increasing the dose to 50-60 ml by the age of 1,5 years.

After 2 years, you can begin to accustom your baby to whole gooseberries. They are added to desserts, casseroles, pudding, jelly, and milk-based cereals. Another option could be a fruit salad with gooseberries in the composition.

Medicinal properties of gooseberries: berries, leaves, twigs

Few people know that gooseberry fruits, leaves, and twigs of the plant carry beneficial properties. That is why the berry is actively used in the field of traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases.

Benefits of gooseberries for diabetes

The usefulness of gooseberries is invaluable in type XNUMX and type XNUMX diabetes.

At the initial stages of the development of the disease, the use of fruits can help to self-stabilize the patient’s condition and save him from the use of special medicines.

The beneficial properties of gooseberries in diabetes are due to the composition of the berries: in addition to problems with the concentration of insulin, chromium deficiency occurs in the body, which leads to poor absorption of vitamins consumed with food. Gooseberries contain enough chromium to keep the body in good shape.

Doctors note the particular importance of chromium in diabetes mellitus: according to experts, the element has a positive effect on the pancreas, which takes a big hit during the disease.

With menopause and menstruation

The benefits of gooseberries are also relevant for menstrual irregularities in the female body. Regular consumption of berries will help regulate menstruation, as well as normalize the abundance of secretions. Due to the presence of ascorbic acid in gooseberries, the product significantly raises the level of hemoglobin in the blood, which tends to fall during the menstrual period. In addition, the use of the fetus contributes to the normalization of hormonal levels during menopause.

With depressions and neuroses

The presence of group B vitamins in berries activates the functioning of the brain and nervous system, which helps to improve memory, cognitive functions, normalize mood and general psychological state, and relieve depressive and suicidal thoughts.

For kidney disease

Gooseberries are known for their diuretic and choleretic properties, which is why an infusion of berries is recommended to be taken for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the kidneys, bladder and gallbladder.

The benefits and harms of gooseberry jam

Gooseberries can be consumed both fresh and in the form of jam, which is well suited as a preservation for the winter. The main disadvantage of such sweetness is the heat treatment of berries, due to which gooseberries can lose most of their beneficial properties. However, there is a variant of raw (or cold) jam, the preparation of which retains all the benefits of the berries.

After a short heat treatment, gooseberries retain 80% of vitamins C and P, which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and liver, as well as on blood vessels. Due to the preservation of most vitamins and beneficial properties in raw jam, it is especially recommended to use it in the spring, when the risk of vitamin deficiency increases.

Despite the excellent taste and benefits, the use of such jam is highly discouraged for obese people, since the product contains “fast carbohydrates” that contribute to weight gain. In addition, it is better to refrain from sweets for people with gastritis, high acidity, allergies and diabetes.

Useful properties of gooseberry leaves

In addition to fruits, gooseberry leaves also have significant benefits. It should be noted that the concentration of certain components in their composition may vary, depending on the plant variety. The leaves of the shrub contain:

• folic acid;
• malic and citric acids;
• ascorbic acid;
• retinol;
• Vitamin E
• tryptophan;
• a nicotinic acid;
• vitamins of group B;
• a group of antioxidants;
• tannins and flavonoids.

Due to the presence in the composition of such an accumulation of useful elements, gooseberry leaves in fresh and dried form are actively used in folk medicine.

However, despite all the beneficial properties of gooseberry leaves, it is important to familiarize yourself with all contraindications and possible side effects before using them.

The use of gooseberry leaves in folk medicine has many options: decoctions, tinctures or compresses that can be used for various purposes:

• treatment of anemia: due to the presence of useful substances and trace elements in the composition of the leaves, which help stimulate blood circulation and increase metabolism;
• Improving the functioning of the immune system: for this, it is recommended to take tea from the leaves of the plant in the winter, when the risk of flu and colds is especially high;
• high-quality cleansing of the body: malic acid in the composition of the leaves helps to remove accumulated toxins and decay products from the body;
• weight loss and normalization of the digestive tract;
• reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis;
• improving the functioning of the central nervous system and activating the work of brain cells;
• treatment of infectious diseases: in addition to ascorbic acid, tannins in the composition of the product also contribute to this;
• prevention of myocardial infarction;
• removal of inflammation in the oral cavity;
• treatment of gynecological diseases;
• improvement of skin condition, removal of traces of fatigue.

In the treatment of certain diseases, teas, decoctions and tinctures from the leaves have the most effective effect on the body. Each tool has its own characteristics of preparation:

1. Tea. For its preparation, use 2 tsp. dried gooseberry leaves, 2 tsp. black tea and 1 lemon wedge. All ingredients must be mixed and placed in a teapot. After that, pour the mixture with boiling water and leave for at least 5 minutes. Optionally, you can add mint, cinnamon or dried gooseberries.
2. Decoction. You need to take 2 tbsp. l. dry and 4 tbsp. l. fresh leaves of the plant and pour them with 800 ml of boiled water, then cook over low heat for 8 minutes. The resulting drink should be cooled, then carefully strain.
3. Infusion. To prepare it, it is best to use a thermos, in which you need to fill 2 tbsp. l. dry gooseberry leaves and pour 400 ml of boiled water. Infuse the composition for 30-60 minutes, then cool slightly and strain.

Gooseberry medicines should be used in the treatment of:

1. Hernia of the esophagus. To alleviate the condition, it is enough to take ½ cup of decoction 3-4 times a day, regardless of the meal. The course of treatment is 10 days, after which it is necessary to take a week break and, if necessary, continue treatment.
2. Tuberculosis. To do this, during the day you need to take 250 ml of gooseberry infusion. The course lasts 30 days, after which you should take a break for 2 months.
3. Arthritis and ligament injuries. To do this, you can use decoction compresses. 100 g of dry gooseberry leaves should be boiled in 200 ml of water for 30 minutes, then soak gauze swabs with a decoction and apply them to the inflamed area.
4. Gynecological diseases. In inflammatory processes, douching is carried out with a decoction of the leaves of the plant. If during the procedure there is a burning sensation and discomfort, this is a signal of individual intolerance to the plant, in which case the procedure must be stopped. The course of treatment is 7 days.
5. SARS and colds. In this disease, it is recommended to take tea from the leaves with the addition of honey. This tool is suitable for older people and children of primary preschool age.
6. Inflammatory and infectious diseases of the urinary system. To do this, you need to take a tincture of leaves of 150 g 5-6 times a day. If desired, you can sweeten the drink with honey or sugar.
7. Inflammatory processes of the oral cavity. Rinse your mouth with a decoction of the leaves 2-3 times a day.
8. Insomnia and neurosis, to calm the nerves. To prepare the product, you will need 1 tsp. rowan and strawberry leaves, gooseberry leaves and 3 tsp. burdock. The collection is poured 2 tbsp. boiled water and insist for 30 minutes. It is necessary to take the remedy 200 ml at a time, if desired, you can add jam or honey.
9. Symptoms of fatigue, loss of strength and fatigue. It is necessary to brew gooseberry, raspberry and currant leaves in equal quantities. Once a day, take 1 tbsp. funds throughout the month. The infusion is also recommended to drink in spring and autumn to prevent beriberi.
10. Obesity. For weight loss, take a decoction based on the leaves and fruits of the plant. This remedy has powerful diuretic and laxative properties, speeds up the metabolism in the body. It is advised to take it for a week, 100 g for 5 doses.

The benefits and harms of gooseberry sprigs

Shrub twigs also have useful medicinal properties, which are also used to make teas. With proper preparation, such a drink has significant benefits for blood vessels, helps to speed up metabolism, increase the body’s immune forces, and also has a diuretic property. Often the remedy is prescribed for the treatment of rheumatism.

To make tea, you need to take a few sprigs of gooseberries and boil for 15 minutes, then let the drink infuse (it is best to leave the tea overnight). Then the drink must be filtered and heated again, without bringing it to a boil. It is necessary to take the remedy 2-3 times a day before meals.

Gooseberry branches can be brewed in the second round, and the raw material of young trees can be brewed directly with the buds.

Given all the medicinal properties of gooseberry fruits, leaves and branches, it is important to familiarize yourself with possible contraindications before using them.

The use of gooseberries

For the use of gooseberries in the field of cooking, both fresh and thermally processed berries are taken.

The production of jam with a characteristic emerald color, as well as jams, marmalade and jelly, is in great demand. The berries of the plant are used to make drinks (jelly, compote, etc.) or desserts (ice cream, cakes, cakes or yogurt). Due to the sour taste of the fruit, gooseberries also add spice to various meat dressing sauces.

In cosmetology

As noted above, the sour taste of gooseberries is due to the rich content of vitamin C in its composition, which is invaluable for the restoration of skin cells. Ascorbic acid gives an acceleration of chemical reactions, due to which the epidermis is cleansed of all toxins, renewed and oxygenated

However, the beneficial properties of other organic acids present in the composition of the berry make it possible to have a complex effect on the skin, penetrating to a deeper layer of the epidermis, cleansing it and dissolving harmful substances.

Tacretinol promotes the repair of damaged cells, folic acid molecules protect against photoaging, and potassium promotes hydration.

The use of gooseberry masks for the face makes the skin smoother, softer and more tender to the touch, relieves inflammation and brightens age spots over time. The skin acquires density and a healthy look.

There are many variations of gooseberry masks, each of which has unique skin-friendly properties, cleansing and whitening it:

1. Classic cleanser. It is necessary to knead 1 tbsp. l. berries in gruel and apply on face for 7-10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
2. Mask with glycerin. A little gooseberry juice is mixed with glycerin and applied to the skin for 5-10 minutes.
3. Mask with wine to eliminate acne. You need to take 2 – 3 tsp. white wine and add some crushed berries. Let the mixture brew for 10-15 minutes, and then gently apply it on the face for 5-10 minutes.
4. Moisturizing. Add a few drops of olive oil to the gruel of berries and spread over the skin for 7-10 minutes. Place a towel under your head.
5. Milk mask. 2 – 3 tbsp. l. milk is heated on fire, and then a little mashed gooseberry is added. You can also use a few drops of olive or linseed oil. Let the resulting mixture brew for 10-15 minutes.
6. Facial scrub is a great option for cleansing the skin at home. It will require a little oatmeal, which must be mixed with 2 tbsp. l. gooseberries and add 1 tsp. Sahara. The product can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
7. Acne mask. It uses blue clay, known for its beneficial cleansing properties. You need to mix 1 tsp. clay and gruel from berries and apply the mask on the face until it dries. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little warm water or olive oil.
8. Nutritious. Add sour cream or homemade yogurt to the gruel of berries. For its preparation, flour is also used (it is better to use chickpea, pea or wheat).
9. Yolk mask. The yolk of one egg is mixed with 1 tsp. grated berries and applied to the skin for 7 – 10 minutes.

When losing weight

Gooseberries will also benefit people who want to shed a few extra pounds. Eating 700 grams of berries a day, you can significantly speed up your metabolism and provoke fat burning in the body. At the same time, it is important to control the diet and try to exclude fast carbohydrates from it.

There is also a more thorough approach to weight loss: the gooseberry diet. It does not apply to mono-diets, so other foods can be added to the diet.

In order to avoid harm to the body, the gooseberry diet is categorically contraindicated for people with an allergy to the berry.

There are several diet options, among which everyone can find the most optimal. The gooseberry diet is based on the standard scheme:

1. The first day includes a three-time consumption of berries of 450 – 500 g. In the morning, fruit intake can be supplemented with a slice of bread and cheese, at lunch – with cottage cheese, and for dinner, drink two glasses of kefir.
2. On the second day, the volume of the berries is increased to 600 g. For breakfast, it is recommended to eat a plate of oatmeal and drink a glass of gooseberry juice (300 g of the morning portion of berries). For lunch, in addition to berries, you can include chicken breast, and finish the last meal with cottage cheese.
3. The rest of the days you need to alternate this sequence. It is also important to consider that the berry diet is best supplemented with physical activity and drinking plenty of water, which also helps speed up the metabolic process in the body.

With proper adherence to the diet for the specified period, you can get rid of 2 to 4 kg. The standard scheme provides a gradual weight loss without harm to the digestive system and the body as a whole.

Limitations and contraindications

Despite all the beneficial properties of the fruit, there are several contraindications to the use of gooseberries:

• the berry is not recommended for use in the presence of gastric ulcer;
• with an allergic reaction;
• in inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Conclusion

The health benefits and harms of gooseberries continue to be actively studied by experts around the world. Today, many useful properties that berries give to the human body have been discovered: value for the treatment and prevention of various diseases, for weight loss, during pregnancy, etc. The availability of gooseberries allows it to be used in many areas (from cooking to cosmetology), and the rich composition of the berry has a beneficial effect on many body systems. Before using the berry, you should familiarize yourself with possible contraindications in order to avoid negative consequences.