Many people have loved these berries since childhood, but not everyone knows about the health benefits and harms of currants during breastfeeding. During this period, it is necessary to reconsider the mother’s diet and give up many familiar foods. In this article we will look at the beneficial properties of berries during lactation and find out for whom it is contraindicated.
Help the body
First, let's talk about the benefits and harms of black currants. The berries of this shrub contain a large amount of vitamins, and you can eat not only the fruits, but also the leaves with buds, which contain:
- glucose;
- ascorbic acid;
- vitamin C;
- fructose;
- organic malic acid;
- potassium;
- vitamins B and E.
The above vitamins have a positive effect on the nervous system. The help is obvious - it is easier for a person to fight depression, in particular postpartum depression, which many women suffer from, as well as insomnia.
Red currants have more vitamin A than black currants
After the birth of a child, a woman is constantly in a stressful state; she periodically suffers from uncertainty in her actions and worry about the health of her child.
The use of sedatives during this period is acceptable, but it is not always possible to use artificially synthesized drugs during breastfeeding. And in this case, eating currants has obvious advantages.
Eating fruits will also help you look stunning without the help of cosmetologists - the risk of acne is minimized, the hair roots are strengthened, they become thick and shiny.
In addition, eating fruits raw slows down the process of general aging. A member of the gooseberry family, it is widely used in medicine due to its antipyretic and diuretic properties. People with anemia or hypertension should pay special attention to these fruits , because they have a beneficial effect on the body and help get rid of the manifestations of the disease.
Now let's talk about the benefits and harms of red currants. It has the following generally useful elements:
- Iodine – normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Tannins – help restore blood levels.
- Iron – prevents anemia.
- Pectin – helps the digestive system.
- Coumarins are natural substances that reduce the risk of cancer.
- Ascorbic acid – destroys free radicals.
- Potassium – affects the performance of the heart and blood vessels.
- Mineral salts.
- A nicotinic acid;
- Riboflavin.
Try to eat these berries during illness, because... they help in activating sweating, which in turn removes toxins from the body.
All components of this product increase immunity, strengthen hair and nails. Therefore, replace store-bought vitamins with fresh fruits, this will bring you more benefits.
If we compare two varieties - red and black, then we can say that in their composition of positive substances they are not very different. Is it possible for a nursing mother to consume watermelon, and how to protect yourself from nitrates, read the next article.
Useful properties of currants
Black currant is one of the healthiest berries, which is a leader in many respects. It contains a lot of vitamin C; in this indicator it is surpassed only by green walnuts, rose hips and actinidia. The entire daily requirement for this vitamin can be obtained from 40 currants.
There are also quite a lot of other vitamins in currants - E, PP, K, group B, and besides them - pectin, organic acids, minerals (potassium, copper, zinc, molybdenum, fluorine, cobalt, manganese, boron, iron).
This wealth provides all the beneficial properties and contraindications of black currant. An abundance of vitamin C can provoke digestive problems and allergies in both the mother and the baby. Also among the contraindications of berries:
- increased acidity;
- high blood clotting;
- individual intolerance.
But at the same time, currants strengthen the immune system, capillaries and blood vessels, stimulate the process of hematopoiesis, and work as an antioxidant and anti-sclerotic agent.
Currant berries will help the body recover faster after surgery (if the birth was a cesarean section), get rid of dizziness and nausea, waste and toxins, and normalize digestion.
When to give up
In hot weather, compote quickly quenches your thirst.
Black currant berries will become a serious enemy for you if you suffer from hepatitis.
People who are prone to blood clots should also avoid them, because vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting, in this case will not bring positive results, but will only worsen the situation.
If you have diseases of the mucous membrane, then use red currant berries very carefully. If you have acute inflammation, then completely abandon them.
Small children can eat berries in small quantities , because... there is a risk of an allergic reaction. If this happens, then completely exclude such food from your child’s diet and in other dishes - pies, compotes, fruit drinks, etc. Due to the high sugar content in these berries, they are contraindicated in large quantities for patients with diabetes.
Possible harm from eating currants while breastfeeding
Any berries are a source of a lot of active substances. In high concentrations, they can cause side effects, which nursing mothers must be aware of.
- Sometimes black currants, especially fresh ones, lead to digestive disorders in babies. If a child suffers from colic, bloating, or if his stool has changed consistency, he should immediately stop eating berries.
- The acids contained in fresh berries can irritate the stomach and lead to increased acidity. This is especially dangerous for peptic ulcers, and therefore the consumption of fresh berries is not recommended for such women.
- Blackcurrant has a rich color and is therefore a potential allergen. Allergy is not uncommon in infants; its main symptoms are hives, a profuse red rash all over the body, the appearance of extensive red spots and difficulty breathing. If any of these signs occur, you should immediately stop eating currants and consult a pediatrician.
- Substances contained in black currants naturally thin the blood. This is quite a useful property, but after surgery it can be dangerous. For this reason, women who have recently had a caesarean section should not overuse this berry.
Important information for nursing mothers
Can I have black currants while breastfeeding? Experts say that it may not always be beneficial. For example, your baby may have an allergic reaction to this product. Therefore, you need to introduce it into your diet gradually, while you need to monitor the child’s condition.
In the first months, it is too early to introduce such a food product into the diet. Wait a few months for your blood count to grow a little. You can find out what a nursing mother can eat in the first month and what she cannot eat from the article at the link.
Zhdanov I.V., herbalist, Voronezh
This is a valuable culture that strengthens capillaries and dilates blood vessels. It can also be used as a mild laxative. I recommend eating a small handful of berries a day, this is the daily requirement of vitamin C. Currants are very useful during breastfeeding.
Berries can be consumed not only fresh. To diversify your diet, prepare juices, jellies, compotes, pies and tinctures.
People who have had a heart attack should strictly not eat these berries or the juice from them.
It is worth giving up currants when breastfeeding a newborn if the nursing mother has the following diseases:
- hepatitis;
- stomach ulcer;
- thrombophlebitis.
White berries can be consumed even by allergy sufferers.
In this case, you can only eat fresh berries. Therefore, buy them only in the summer; in other seasons they contain nitrates, this will only harm you and your child.
Ideal if you grow the crop yourself or your friends do it.
In order not to give up the product during the cold season, freeze it yourself . You can also buy frozen berries at the supermarket. Nowadays they use fast freezing technology, and products retain almost all the substances we need.
Black currant during breastfeeding increases lactation and strengthens the immune system of both mother and baby.
The vitamins that are in the product will help keep the body in good shape, and this is very important after childbirth in the young mother’s desire to regain her previous figure. Read more about how to lose weight during lactation here.
It is not necessary to eat the berries fresh. Fruit juice and blackcurrant compote will be useful during breastfeeding . But add sugar to the drink very carefully so that the child does not develop diathesis.
Not only the fruits, but also the leaves of the currant will be useful for breastfeeding; you can use them to make a tea drink for general strengthening of the body.
Is it possible to eat red currants while breastfeeding? This is a lesser allergen compared to black berries. Preferably consumed fresh.
If you are going to make a compote from these berries, then keep it on the fire for a short time, with minimal heat treatment, in order to preserve as many useful substances as possible. It will be enough to bring the liquid to a boil.
Vinogradova O.V., therapist, Murmansk
Blackcurrant fruits are recommended for consumption by people who have urolithiasis or intestinal dysbiosis. Ascorbic acid, which is found in berries, reduces the risk of malignant tumors.
Red berries are very effective in helping fight colds, killing viruses and reducing fever. Also, they help normalize blood pressure, because... Eating currant fruits has a positive effect on the functioning of the circulatory system. I also advise you to eat berries for heartburn, they will help eliminate this unpleasant condition.
Red currants during breastfeeding are not suitable for mothers who have stomach problems. You also need to take into account that fruits can change the taste of breast milk, and not every baby will like this.
White currants during breastfeeding will also have a beneficial effect on health, but this variety contains fewer vitamins than those listed above.
How to check if a child is allergic to currants?
Any food can cause allergies in a child. When breastfeeding, introducing berries into the diet, the mother is not recommended to eat other new foods. You can only check for a reaction in your baby by eating a few berries after breakfast, and then feed the baby half an hour later.
If the child does not show allergy symptoms within 24 hours, then currants can be eaten without fear. If you have a rash, you should exclude berries from your diet for several months.
It is necessary to introduce red, white or black currants 4 months after birth, since the child’s body is still developing and getting used to the effects of external factors. His intestines may not be able to cope with the heavy load, since the berries contain many nutrients that need to be processed. This will lead to stool disturbances, anxiety, and diarrhea.
conclusions
Eating black, red and white currants during breastfeeding is acceptable and beneficial; the vitamin complex has a positive effect on the body of both mother and child. At first, administer this product in small doses and carefully monitor the child for allergic reactions.
If no manifestations are noticed, you can increase the portions. The most useful thing is to eat fresh berries (red and white currants), but you can make compotes, fruit drinks and other drinks from black currants. And don’t forget to store berries in the freezer for the winter; during this period, consuming additional vitamins will only be beneficial.
Composition of currant juice and its benefits for mothers during lactation
Currants contain many useful substances, so fruit juice made from its berries is especially popular, as it contains:
- Vitamin C, which is important for increasing the immunity of a nursing mother;
- B vitamins , which have tonic properties and are beneficial for the nervous system;
- Vitamin A , which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and improves vision;
- Iron and potassium , necessary for the circulatory system and improve metabolism;
- Rutin , important for the cardiovascular system;
- Phytoncides that strengthen the immune system and fight bacteria.
The benefits and harms of currant juice for nursing mothers
First of all, currants speed up the digestive process, which helps actively cleanse the body of toxins. It also has tonic and general strengthening properties, which is why both adults and children love it so much.
As for currant juice for nursing, it not only improves the taste of milk and increases its quantity, but also strengthens the body as a whole. This has a positive effect on the general condition of the mother and promotes good growth and development of the newborn.
Considering the positive properties and the large list of vitamins in the composition, currant juice:
- Increases hemoglobin, which helps reduce the risk of anemia;
- Protects the body of mother and child from colds;
- Reduces the risk of bleeding gums;
- Helps improve mood.
What can be made from currants
Currant is a universal berry. Drinks, jams and even sauces for meat are prepared from its fruits. If you are breastfeeding, you can try the following recipes.
Blackcurrant compote
To prepare currant compote you will need:
- black currant - 200 g;
- water - 3 l;
- sugar - 100 g.
The cooking technology is as follows:
- Boil water in a saucepan.
- Add berries and sugar.
- Stir the ingredients and bring to a boil again.
- Remove the drink from the stove and leave it covered for 30 minutes.
Video: How to make blackcurrant compote
Blackcurrant juice
Another drink option is fruit drink. To prepare it, take:
- black currants - 2.5 tbsp. l.;
- sugar - 4 tbsp. l.;
- water - 200 ml.
Next, follow the step-by-step cooking instructions:
- Rinse the fruits.
- Boil water, add sugar and stir.
- Bring the water to a boil again and add the berries.
- Reduce heat to medium, bring to a boil and immediately remove drink from heat.
- Leave the fruit drink to steep for 30 minutes, covered.