Health Benefits Of Blackcurrant Seed Oil

Blackcurrant is also known as ‘Ribes Nigrum’. The seed of the plant is grown in the form of a shrub that resembles a red currant plant. Native to northern parts of Europe and Asia, the oil is derived from the blackcurrants. Blackcurrant seed oil, because of its beneficial ingredients, proves out to be an essential and beneficial product for treating several health related problems. The oil is rich in fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid and stearidonic acids and is said to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. Blackcurrant seed oil has been used in Europe, since ages as a medicinal herb. The oil helps in treating many health issues like heart problems, cardiovascular system, skin diseases and so on. This article will provide you with the nutritional value of blackcurrant seed oil and the benefits of its consumption.

Nutritional Value Of Blackcurrant seed oil

Nutrients	Amount
Basic Components
Protein	1.4 g
Calories
Total Calories	10
Calories From Fat	10
Carbohydrates
Total Carbohydrate	15.4 g
Fats & Fatty Acids
Total Fat	0.4 g
Vitamins
Vitamin C	181 mg
Niacin	0.3 mg
Vitamin B6	0.0666 mg
Pantothenic Acid	0.398 mg
Minerals
Calcium	55 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Magnesium	24 mg
Phosphorus	59 mg
Potassium	322 mg
Zinc	0.27 mg
Manganese	24 mg

Health & Nutrition Benefits Of Eating Blackcurrant Seed Oil

One of the most beneficial uses of blackcurrant seed oil is that it is a rich source of ‘Gamma-linolenic acid’ (GLA) and Alpha-linolenic acid’ (ALA). These ingredients in blackcurrant seed oil helps prevent premature aging, by repairing the damaged tissues of the skin, reducing wrinkles and other aging signs.
The gamma-linolenic oil also helps in strengthening the immune system of the body. It proves out to be very beneficial for women, as it helps in alleviating all the discomforts such as severity of cramps, breast tenderness and depression linked with premenstrual syndrome.
Blackcurrant seed oil also helps in keeping our heart strong and healthy. The gamma-linolenic acid have an anti-inflammatory effect on heart, which helps in reducing platelet aggregation, blood clotting, low blood pressure and cholesterol. Blackcurrant seed oil proves out to be quite beneficial in treating heart attacks and atherosclerosis.
Blackcurrant seed oil also helps in assuaging inflammatory conditions. Blackcurrant seed oil produces a hormone called ‘prostaglandin’, which battles against the effects of inflammation in the body.
Regular consumption of blackcurrant seed oil prevents blood from clotting in the body. The presence of GLA in the oil helps in the purpose.
Blackcurrant seed oil also helps you lose your weight, without indulging in the daily sweat-out routines. The rich presence of gamma-linolenic acid increases the cellular metabolism in the body, which promotes weight loss.
Blackcurrant seed oil also treats rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed by the experts that blackcurrant seed oil can check and cut down the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, due to the presence of the anti-inflammatory properties in the oil. This, in turn, reduces the pain and swelling resulting from rheumatoid arthritis.
Blackcurrant seed oil also contains anti-viral properties. Many studies project that the oil is protective against the influenza virus.
Blackcurrant seed oil consumption can also help an alcohol abusive body. The gamma-linolenic acid present in the oil reduces the symptoms associated with alcohol abuse. The gamma-linolenic acid helps in treating liver toxicity and soothes down the nervous system, thereby helping the liver from any kind of alcohol-induced damage.
Blackcurrant seed oil produces ‘prostaglandins’ which helps in controlling constriction of blood vessels. Regular consumption of the oil will reduce the atherosclerotic lesions.

Tips

Other than being used in jellies, syrups and cordials, blackcurrants are also used in cooking, as their astringency creates flavor in sauces, meat dishes and desserts.
The blackcurrant stem can also be frozen, which will help the top and the tail to get separated easily, leaving the fruit for consumption.

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