Gooseberries: caloric content and useful properties

Gooseberries have become very popular among gardeners and gardeners. This is not surprising, because this is an amazing plant. Unpretentious, extremely productive, only one adult bush will give you 20 kg of fresh berries. In this case the bushes do not take up much space and can grow even in the shady corners of the garden, where the earth would be empty. And how good is ripe gooseberry. Its caloric content is quite low, only 44 kcal per 100 g of product. You can eat it, practically without measure and do not harm your body at all.

History and most popular varieties

As early as the eleventh century, monks in England already cultivated gooseberries. Caloric content this years allowed to use it even in the most strict posts, besides it served as an important source of vitamins. However, a real leap in his growing occurred in the XIX century, when the wild varieties replaced the new ones, giving larger and sweet fruits. Gradually, the culture reached Russia, where they grew fond and continue to grow in large numbers until now. Today, most often in gardens and orchards you can find such varieties as Emerald and Smena, Honey, Russian, Moscow, Spring, Pink Early, Black Sea, Souvenir and some others.

Composition of berries

Not only for the simplicity of his farming techniques, but also for the excellent taste we value gooseberry. Caloric content of its fruits is low, that is, it is an invaluable well of vitamins and a small source of carbohydrates, which does not hurt at all during the day. By the way, the most useful is dark-colored gooseberries, so you need to have the berries well ripened. The fruits contain vitamins C, A and P, in addition a large number of B vitamins. This is a tremendous source of iodine and potassium, sodium and calcium, manganese and iron, zinc and cobalt, copper and phosphorus. Berries are tannic and pectinic substances. It is also a valuable source of citric and malic acids, flavonoids and serotonin. This is the usual garden gooseberry. Caloric content, as we have already noted, is quite small, only 44 kcal per 100 g of product.

Beneficial features

Gooseberries are a sure remedy for many health problems. Any berry rich in vitamins and good for health, but still today we draw your attention to this prickly bush. It is recommended to pay special attention to red gooseberry. Caloric value of it is not higher, but vitamins contain much more than in other varieties. Let's take a closer look at what diseases are recommended to use it.

Problems and solutions

These delicious berries perfectly strengthen the blood vessels. Thanks to their regular use, memory is trained, that is, such a simple and affordable means detains the development of sclerosis. The next point is especially important for those who live in large megacities and ecologically unfavorable zones. Berries contribute to the removal of harmful salts of heavy metals from the body. To a greater extent this property is possessed by dark varieties. However, it should be noted that green gooseberry is also useful. Its caloric content is somewhat lower, since it contains less sugars, about 35 kcal per 100 g.

However, this is not all, ripe berries have the tremendous property of delaying the growth of various tumors. Any fruit of this prickly bush can reduce high blood pressure. In addition, you can find information about lowering blood cholesterol levels, although official medicine says that the best helps for these purposes rose hips.

For you, dear women

Most often, low-calorie foods, in this case berries, are of interest to pretty ladies. Probably, also for this reason many of them so fell in love with gooseberries. Caloric content per 100 grams is comparable to one caramel, and the benefits are immeasurably greater. But let's go back to the health benefits. These amazing berries act as a diuretic, laxative and choleretic, that is, those who watch their weight, or suffer from problems with these organs, reception is shown in the first place. A lot more than simple garden gooseberry can be useful. Caloric content (the benefit from it is much greater) may not bother you, it is quite low. Berries stop bleeding, accelerate recovery with various inflammations. In addition, it should be noted that they normalize metabolism and strengthen immunity.

Contraindications

Despite all the useful properties, green gooseberry can be excluded from your diet in a number of cases. This is primarily individual allergic reactions. It is advisable to consult your doctor to give you the necessary recommendations. You can not use gooseberries with products such as yogurt and yogurt. But cottage cheese will be an excellent addition to delicious berries.

One can not discount the fact that a prickly bush is often treated with pesticides. That is why the risk of poisoning with berries is very high, unless properly rinsed under running water. One should be careful not to eat gooseberries in large quantities for those who have a tendency to stomach disorders. In addition, not only berries, but also decoctions of its leaves have a diuretic effect, and in combination with diarrhea it can lead to dehydration.

We prepare gooseberries for the winter

In dried form, this berry is kept poorly, therefore, most often housewives prepare jam from gooseberry. The calorie content of this product is quite high, about 200 kcal per 100 g, because the basis is sugar, not berry. However, it is jam that allows you to save the maximum amount of nutrients. Of course, it is necessary to observe the correct cooking technology. To do this, first the berries are covered with sugar and left for several hours. Then put on the fire and bring to a boil, then turn off and allow to cool. After complete cooling, it is necessary to heat the berries again. After the third warming, the jam is ready to be capped. You could save the maximum amount of vitamins and trace elements and stock up on jam for the winter, which will not only be a delicious dessert, but also a source of nutrients.