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Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Irga is not a very popular berry in our area, although it grows here in Ukraine (as well as in Russia, Japan, Europe, America). In appearance, the fruits resemble rose hips, only the color of ripe berries is not red, but blue. Its unusual sweet-tart taste and pleasant aroma are quite attractive, and the rich chemical composition of the berries makes them not only tasty, but also a healing dessert.
[ Benefits
The berry contains large amounts of vitamins C, A and P, as well as a complex of B vitamins, which are of great value in metabolic disorders. Copper and cobalt predominate among the microelements in the fruit.
Irga is considered a berry with good antioxidant properties, which are provided by the high content of ascorbic acid and carotene. Due to this property of the berry, it helps maintain immunity, alleviates the course of the disease, and increases stress resistance. Irga fruits help remove radionuclides and harmful substances from the body, reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, have a positive effect on heart function, improve the functioning of the digestive system, effectively combat inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, and reduce the excitability of the nervous system.
The berries of the chokeberry do not affect the level of glucose in the blood, but the low caloric content (45 kcal) and the glycemic index equal to 20 allow the berry to be included in the diet of diabetics as a tonic, multivitamin remedy. The carbohydrate content in the berry varies from 7 to 15 g, but it is mainly fructose, which does not require additional production of insulin. The high fiber content in the fruit does not allow plant sugars to be quickly absorbed and penetrate into the blood.
For diabetes of any type, irga can be consumed fresh, frozen or dried, as well as in juices, fruit drinks, compotes, kissels, and sugar-free jam. Fresh berries can be consumed in the amount of 1 glass.
Contraindications
This valuable vitamin plant has many useful properties that can play a cruel joke with some concomitant diseases. Lowering blood pressure, which is necessary for hypertension, will be dangerous for hypotensive patients, whose blood pressure readings are already pathologically low. The berry's ability to thin the blood will be useful for heart patients and patients prone to thrombosis, but for people whose activities are associated with an increased risk of injury, this property will only bring problems, because it will only increase bleeding from wounds.
Irga has a calming effect on the nervous system, which is very useful in terms of stress resistance and a good night's rest, but people whose work requires concentration do not need such an effect, because it will be potentially dangerous.
All these contraindications are relevant in the case of consuming berries in significant quantities, while a couple of aromatic fruits are unlikely to harm anyone.