Black currant seed oil is derived from the Ribes nigrum. It is also known as European currant. It contains a high amount of Omega- 3 fatty acids (about 12 to 14 percent). It also contains linoleic acid as well as 2 to 4 percent stearidonic acid. Some indication is there of the black currant seed oil being cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory. The seeds are very healthy and should be consumed between meals. They are rich in phytonutrients, vitamins, essential fatty acids as well as minerals.
Its beneficial essential fatty acid GLA (Gamma-Linoleic acid) is obtained from this herb, as is revealed by the University of Maryland. This fatty acid is used to cure various ailments such as ulcers, diabetes, allergies, and cancers.
Black currant is an indigenous herb in Asia and Europe. It is incredibly abundant in fatty acids like GLA along with omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids. It also contains high amounts of stearidonic acids. This oil is also referred to as the European current oil as European people have used it for a long time for its therapeutic benefits.
Black currant seed oil is available in the form of capsules as a dietary supplement. Though there are no specified amounts of taking this oil, you can take it as per the supplement’s directions. Some important ways in which black currant seed oil helps have been talked about in the following lines.
Health Benefits of Black Currant Seed Oil
The following are a few vital health benefits of black currant seed oil:
1. Anti-inflammatory Benefits
- GLA found in this oil has an anti-inflammatory effect, and thus it helps cure several health issues like arthritic pain and swelling due to arthritis.
- Black currant seed oil helps relieve inflammation in the stomach and pain due to gastritis.
- According to the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine, GLA in this wonder, the oil helps reduce inflammation by creating prostaglandin-1, an anti-inflammatory hormone.
2. Benefits Reproductive Health Issues
- Black currant seed oil is rich in GLA content which helps in creating anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These prostaglandins helps reduce premenstrual cramps and also breast pain.
- It also aids relieve the signs and symptoms of depression in menstruating women.
- It helps women during menopause as it reduces some symptoms like hot flashes and night sweating.
3. Improves Immune System
The production of PGE2 (prostaglandin E 2) in our body increases as we age, ultimately worsening the immune function by lowering the T cell function. Black currant seed oil supplies our body with GLA and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 -3) that diminishes prostaglandin synthesis and hence boosts the functioning of the immune system.
The oil supplement helps in recovering from flu, cold, and other auto-immune conditions like lupus, psoriasis, and eczema. As per the article at American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed that the oil helps the immune system in older adults by cutting their production of PGE2. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances released whenever an infection or injury occurs.
4. Anti-Aging
- The synthesis of Prostaglandin E 2 is increased inside the body as we age, affecting the immune system of the body.
- Though it is required for muscle contraction in the body, its excess amount is bad for the immune system.
- Regular intake of this oil helps suppress the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 and thus, helps boost the proper functioning of the immune system and improves aging, as reported by National Institutes of Health.
5. Heart Health
As per a study, black currant seed oil was more beneficial than fish oil in diminishing levels of LDL-bad cholesterol. It was further found that the serum levels of LDL cholesterol were much lower (P<.05) after taking black currant seed oil compared to fish oil. (Source)
- Black currant seed oil directly supports a person’s serum lipid profile as it helps reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
- It helps elevate HDL to LDL without affecting HDL cholesterol and helps improve the heart health.
- Regular intake of this oil helps reduce the atherosclerosis that is fat deposition inside the blood vessels.
- It also helps avoid cardiac arrhythmia, a health condition in which heart beats become abnormal because of low blood supply to the heart.
- As the oil is rich in omega-3, it even improves the heart beat.
6. Skin Disorders
- Various skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can be cured with the regular intake of black currant seed oil as it is rich in various vital fatty acids like GLA, omega-3 and omega-6.
- The combination of these fatty acids help improve the skin conditions.
- GLA also protects the water loss from the skin and thus, it relieves skin from itching and other related symptoms.
GLA supplements are taken by people suffering from Acne to burst open the Acne. However, it might not always work well for everyone as it can worsen the condition if it doesn’t suit you. Black currant seed oil possesses good amount of GLA and ALA (omega-3 -3) that not only help get rid of acne breakouts but also decrease the inflammation and redness on the skin.
7. Weight Loss
- If you take this natural oil regularly, it helps in effective weight loss because GLA causes fat burning and provides energy to the body.
- Intake of oil capsules will not help in weight loss, but if you include it in the diet and combine it with a work-out and balanced diet, it can do wonders by promoting food metabolism.
The above are a few important health benefits of black currant seed oil. The oil also helps in curing hair loss, thinning, and splitting hair. It helps cure acne due to GLA and ALA’s high content by reducing the inflammation and skin redness. It reduces dry eye symptoms and helps fight cancer as it targets the malignant cells without damaging the body’s healthy cells. IN addition to the benefits of oil, there is another interesting article on its juice benefits.
So, European currant oil has various essential properties, and it is a wonder oil as it can cure multiple health issues. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid consuming this oil as it can affect the baby in both cases. It should also be avoided by men susceptible to or even at the risk of prostate cancer as it is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, and they should not consume this fatty acid.
