Blackcurrant
Busy lifestyle, irregular eating habits, stress from exams and work can all contribute to stomach discomfort and gastrointestinal problems. In mild cases, indigestion and gas may happen. And in severe cases, stomach pain, constipation, gastritis, etc. may happen. Today let’s learn about blackcurrant – a natural food that can help improve stomach upset.
Blackcurrants are known as the vitamin C-rich berry and known as the famous Ribena fruit juice. In fact, apart from having 4 times more vitamin C than oranges, blackcurrants have other substances that can increase the level of intestinal probiotics and inhibit Helicobacter pylori!
Inhibit Helicobacter pylori
In 2014, Molecules research proved that blackcurrant contains galactan can inhibit Helicobacter pylori adhering to gastric cells. Blackcurrant can dismantle the hook of Helicobacter pylori, aiming at the interaction of surface proteins of pathogens, preventing bacteria from adhering to the cell surface, so that Helicobacter pylori can no longer hook on the stomach wall.
Taking one teaspoon of blackcurrant powder every morning on an empty stomach or before meals can sweep away the Helicobacter pylori in the stomach through the peristalsis of the stomach and protect the stomach.
For those who have been diagnosed or are in a more serious situation, the traditional treatment is to fight Helicobacter pylori with antibiotics. But using antibiotics might be only a short-term solution to the problem. Since antibiotics are prone to resistance and increase the complexity of the problem, after taking antibiotics, you can also take blackcurrant powder to prevent the recurrence of Helicobacter pylori. This is the smarter and more effective method.
Increases Gut Probiotics
Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health senior research scientist Dr Abdul-Lateef Molan and his team conducted a trial with 45 healthy volunteers who took blackcurrant products for four weeks.
He found that consumption of the blackcurrant products improved gut health by increasing the numbers of good bacteria.
“The improvement was significant in many ways,” Dr Molan says. “Firstly, there was an increase in the number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, both of which are beneficial to gut health. Secondly, there was a reduction in the population sizes of some pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium spp. and Bacteriodes spp. Thirdly, consumption of the products led to a significant reduction in the activity of Beta-glucuronidase (a bacterial enzyme that is thought to increase the risk of colorectal cancer). Lastly, there was also a lowering of fecal pH.”
Reduce Inflammation
Blackcurrants contain substances called proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and polysaccharide-rich substances. The blackcurrant polysaccharides (CAPS) can activate the activity of macrophages. CAPS has been shown to promote a stronger immune system. In addition, preliminary research from the New Zealand Horticulture and Food Research Institute found that anthocyanins and polyphenols found in blackcurrants can help support nervous system and anthocyanins can reduce the body's inflammatory response.
However, we don't have fresh blackcurrants in Hong Kong. Most blackcurrant products are imported from china, U.S. and Australia.
Today we want to introduce the blackcurrants from Finland to you.
Why Finland
Finland also has the BEST AIR in the world! This makes the berries clean and safe from unpolluted surroundings.
Sun is visible for the full 24 hours in summer in Finland! This is why Finland is also called the Land of Midnight Sun. Arctic berries grow and mature under the midnight sun, absorbing the goodness from their clean surroundings. The quality and nutrition value of arctic berries are higher than those from cultivated ones in other places.
Finnish Blackcurrant Powder
Take it before meals can help combat the Helicobacter pylori and help relief stomach pain, gas, and indigestion.