Why Are Black Currant Banned in America? Risks & Benefits (2024)

FAQs

Why Are Black Currant Banned in America? Risks & Benefits? ›

Blackcurrants were responsible for the spread of white pine blister rust, a type of fungus that began gradually killing white pine trees. This became a major problem because white pine trees were an essential component of the lumber industry.

The plant acts as a host for the white pine blister rust that threatened the timber industry. In 1911, the federal government banned the cultivation, sale, and transport of blackcurrants to protect the white pine. Government programs systematically destroyed blackcurrant plants by chemical spraying.

The GLA in black currant seeds can sometimes cause side effects, such as: Headache. Diarrhea. Gas and belching.

When taken by mouth Black currant berries, leaves, and flowers are commonly consumed as foods. Black currant juice, extract, and seed oil are likely safe when used appropriately as medicine.

They are high in vitamins and antioxidants and are used for human consumption. The crimson/gold fall leaf color adds to its visual appeal. In Minnesota and Michigan, American black currant is reported to invade sedge meadows (Marshall, 1995). White pine blister rust legislation prohibits the planting of Ribes spp.

Blackcurrants have more than three times the vitamin C of oranges and anthocyanin levels second only to some types of blueberry (Bibliography Ref: 1). These anthocyanins can help fight against cardiovascular disease, ageing, joint inflammation, eyestrain, urinary infections, kidney stones and even cancer.

In the UK and other countries, the standard flavour for purple/black-coloured fruit sweets is blackcurrant. Except in America - where they are black grape flavour instead. Blackcurrants were once as popular in the US as they are elsewhere - but they were banned in the early 1900s.

What are Black Currants called in America? Black currants are known by many names such as blackcurrant, cassis, or their official species name, Ribes nigrum. In America, they are still referred to as the separated version, “black currant” as well as red or white currant or just currant.

Keeps Kidney Healthy

Also, it protects your execratory system from infections and inflammations. In addition, consuming black currant can make your urine more alkaline and allows the discharge of excess oxalic acid and citric acid from the body.

Black currant may decrease blood pressure in some people. Taking black currant along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not take too much black currant if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.

Is blackcurrant good for your liver? ›

Potential use of blackcurrant for the liver:

Blackcurrants are polyphenol-rich foods and may effectively protect the structural lipids and proteins. Blackcurrants cannot be considered a reliable cure for liver disease, but they may help aid healthy liver functioning.

Today, most white pine trees have been bred to resist the effects of white pine blister rust. The commercial growth of blackcurrants is no longer banned at the federal level, although several states do still have regulations in place to restrict the blackcurrants' growth.

Frequently found in capsule form, black currant oil is a good source of gamma linolenic acid, a type of omega-6 essential fatty acid, and is taken to promote healthy skin and hair. Look for a capsule that contains at least 45 milligrams of GLA with minimal added ingredients, and take 500 milligrams twice daily.

The researchers identified that the component, epigallocatechin, reduced inflammation in lung tissue. Epigallocatechin is a known antioxidant and a major component of proanthocyanidins found in blackcurrants.

Ribes americanum has a strong resinous flavor, similar to the European black currant, but not as clean and crisp. Its native range is New Mexico to Virginia, and north into Canada (USDA hardiness Zone 2). Very few selections were ever made from this species, and none of these are currently known to be in existence.

Anthocyanin-rich black currants may help treat glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness. The antioxidant increases blood flow in the eyes and may help to slow the progression of glaucoma.

According to recent research, currants, particularly black currants, have an antioxidant capacity that is twice as high as farmed blueberries. Black currants also have four to five times more vitamin C per serving as an orange.

Blackcurrants are easy to incorporate into your diet.

If any of these have taken your fancy, then visit our website to discover more. Blackcurrants have twice as many antioxidants and anthocyanins than blueberries!

Are there side effects? Both blackcurrant berries and seed oil are considered safe at recommended doses. However, the supplements have been known to cause some side effects such as soft stools, mild diarrhea, and intestinal gas.

BLACK CURRANT SEED OIL may help for hair problems including dryness, brittleness, thinning, or splitting. BLACK CURRANT SEED OIL strengthens and moisturizes the hair and scalp.

Why can't you buy fresh blackcurrants? ›

Blackcurrants only grow in cool climates like Northern Europe; you may find it hard to buy them where you live. Growing them was not allowed (because they were thought to produce a fungus that could damage pine trees) in United Stated for a long time.

In the US, as a non-native plant, they were hard to come by, and they were actually banned for many years, as they can carry a disease that kills pine trees. Why aren't black currant flavored drinks more popular in the US? Black currant is not native to the US, so most Americans do not know to seek it out.

Currant varieties come in shades of red, black, and white. Red currants are high in pectin, making them ideal for jams and jellies. Black currants have five times the Vitamin C of oranges and make wonderful liqueurs. White currants are typically sweeter and less acidic than red currants and are best eaten fresh.

Currants cannot tolerate the Texas summers and are not commercially produced anywhere in the state. Some smaller specialized growers might have redcurrants and blackcurrants, but they are very few and are limited to the northernmost parts of the state.