Currants may be tiny, but they pack a big nutritional punch. Like other berries, they are excellent sources of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, especially the flavonoid anthocyanin. While they've long been used in traditional medicine, researchers are now finding scientific evidence for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial powers of currants.
Currants come in black, red, pink, and white varieties. They are primarily used in jams and jellies, as well as in fillings for pies and tarts, because of their acidic flavor (pink and white varieties are sweeter).
Currant Nutrition Facts
One cup of raw black currants (112g) provides 71 calories, 1.6g of protein, 17g of carbohydrates, and 0.5g of fat. Currants are an excellent source of vitamin C, iron, and potassium. The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA.
Carbs
Black currants have about 17.2 grams of carbohydrate per serving. They are a source of natural sugar. Black currants have a glycemic index of 22, which is considered low.
Fats
As a berry, currants are unsurprisingly nearly fat-free, with less than half a gram of fat per serving.
Protein
Black currants are also very low in protein, with less than 2 grams per serving.
Vitamins and Minerals
Currants are high in vitamin C, which supports healthy immune function. They also contain iron, which helps prevent anemia; calcium, which supports strong and healthy bones; and phosphorus, which aids in muscle contraction.
Currants also contain anthocyanins which act as an antioxidant and can help prevent harm from free radicals. Darker-colored (black and red) currants have more anthocyanins than white and pink varieties, but all have about the same amount of vitamin C.
Calories
One cup of raw black currants (112g) provides 71 calories, 86% of which comes from carbs, 8% from protein, and 6% from fat, rounding up.
Currants are a carbohydrate rich-fruit filled with nutrients including vitamin C, iron, and calcium. They are naturally fat-free and low in sodium.
Health Benefits
Consuming currants may provide certain health benefits. The fruit has been used in traditional medicine to treat conditions including Alzheimer's disease, the common cold, and the flu, but there is limited scientific evidence to support these uses.
However, some evidence shows that black currants provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial benefits that may help manage certain illnesses.
Help Treat Glaucoma
Several researchers have investigated how the properties of currants may help in the treatment of glaucoma. One study found that the anthocyanin in black currant promotes an increase in ocular blood flow and may slow glaucoma progression.
Fight Inflammation
Researchers have also studied oils and other supplements made from currants that contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA may help decrease inflammatory processes in the body and improve symptoms of several inflammatory diseases. However, research hasn't supported these benefits, and more high-quality studies need to be conducted to understand the properties of GLA.
Lower Cholesterol Levels
Research has shown that black currant seed oil could help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. For example, one study showed that consuming black currant seed oil regularly may help to improve total cholesterol levels and reduce triglycerides, which is a type of harmful blood fat.
Improve Kidney Function
Some research has shown that drinking black currant juice helps make the urine more alkaline, which helps to treat kidney stones.
Allergies
A few cases of currant allergy have been reported in people who were also sensitive to peaches and raspberries and to grass pollens. If you experience food allergy symptoms, such as hives or wheezing, or you know you have a fruit or pollen allergy, discuss your condition with your doctor.
Adverse Effects
Currants and numerous other foods, plants, and supplements can potentially interfere with the blood-thinning prescription drug Coumadin (warfarin). Talk to your doctor about this risk if you are taking this medication.
Varieties
Currants come in red, pink, white, and black varieties. They are also related to gooseberries. In the U.S., black currants are commonly consumed dried. As with all fruit, drying currants significantly changes the nutritional profile per serving.
Water is removed, and volume is reduced when currants are dried, making it easier to consume more at a time than you would when they are in their fresh state. It is also important to note that many dried fruits have added sugar. For example, per 1-cup serving, dried currants contain over 11 times more sugar than the same serving size of fresh currants (99.6g vs. 8.25g, respectively).
However, the product you find in the store is often Zante currants, which are actually dried Corinth grapes—not currants at all. These dried fruits look and taste like raisins and have significantly more sugar than fresh currants. So-called "seedless" currants are also not currants but rather small grapes.
When They're Best
Currants are in season during the summer in the Northern hemisphere. Look for firm, plump berries. They grow in clusters, like grapes, but are pea-sized.
Storage and Food Safety
Store currants in the refrigerator for two or three days, or freeze (remove stems first). They will keep for about six months in the freezer.
How to Prepare
You can eat currants raw, but black currants, especially, are quite tart. Adding a bit of sugar or cooking the berries into jams, jellies, or sauces can help offset the tartness (but will also affect their nutritional profile). You can use currants in desserts instead of other berries.
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