Common sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a species belonging to the olive family. Naturally, the shrub grows in regions of Europe and Asia. It can often be found in mountains or river valleys. It also occurs naturally in the Baltic Sea region in northern Poland. Due to its fruit and leaves, which are extremely rich in active substances, it is grown in various regions of the world, including in Poland.
Naturally, the bush can reach 4 meters in height. It has lanceolate leaves covered with silver hairs underneath and small, yellow, round fruits. The health properties of sea buckthorn have already been used in folk medicine among others Tibetan, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. The fruits and leaves were used to treat stomach ulcers, gout, rheumatic diseases, skin wounds, and as an antidiarrheal medicine.
During autumn and winter infections, we often reach for sources of vitamin C, which will increase our immunity and help shorten the course of the infection. Usually, the choice falls on lemon, which we add, for example, to tea. However, as it turns out, it is a much better choice . Sea buckthorn berries contain even several times more vitamin C (even 600 mg in 100 g according to the Medycyna Practical website) than lemon (50-70 mg/100g) or other fruits such as black currant (180-190 mg/100 g) or chokeberry (approx. 20 mg/100g).
Antioxidants also have properties that support the body’s immunity. And here, once again, sea buckthorn berries prevail over lemon. They contain more of them. In addition to vitamin C, popular citrus fruits also contain flavonoids and phenolic acids. In turn, sea buckthorn fruit contains: polyphenols, carotenoids and flavonoids in higher concentrations.
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Sea buckthorn berries are also richer in vitamins A, E and B vitamins than lemon. They contain much more magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc. There is also more potassium in sea buckthorn than in lemon.
However, what distinguishes sea buckthorn from lemon the most is is the presence of fatty acids. They do not occur in the popular citrus fruit, and sea buckthorn fruits are a rich source of valuable nutrients for the body fatty acids omega 3, 6, 9, and even omega 7, which is rare in plants. This unique set of active substances means that sea buckthorn not only supports the body’s immunity, but also:
- lowers cholesterol and protects against cardiovascular diseases,
- lowers blood pressure,
- regulates blood sugar levels,
- regenerates the mucous membranes of the digestive and urogenital systems, helps in the treatment of stomach ulcers,
- accelerates wound healing,
- delays the signs of skin aging, increases collagen synthesis,
- protects against UV radiation,
- reduces pain and inflammation.
For medicinal purposes, supplements containing sea buckthorn extracts, but also fruit juice and oils from fruit pulp and sea buckthorn seeds are used.
Sea buckthorn berries are sour and slightly bitter. It is best to harvest them in late autumn, when they are ripe and less bitter. Eating fruit on your own can be difficult, which is why they are more often made into preserves in the form of juices or jams. What about the content of vitamin C and other valuable nutrients after fruit processing?
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And here sea buckthorn fruits surprise once again. According to research by Polish scientists from the University of Lodz, it appears that vitamin C found in sea buckthorn is much more stablealso after processing. The reason is the lack of the enzyme ascorbinase, which is responsible for the breakdown of vitamin C.
So is sea buckthorn jam healthy? Absolutely! It contains most of the valuable substances found in the fresh fruit mass. So if you want to take advantage of the health properties of sea buckthorn, you can buy jam or make it yourself. It is a perfect addition to sandwiches, desserts and baked goods.
When making warm tea on a frosty winter evening, add sea buckthorn jam instead of a slice of lemon.. In grocery and health food stores you will find it in versions with and without sugar. Adding it to a warm drink can not only replace sugar and enrich its taste, but also become a source of many valuable substances for the body that will strengthen your immunity.
Source: Terazgotuje.pl, mp.pl, postepybiochemii
