What is useful for birch sap — 6 proven properties and how to properly collect and drink it

Birch juice is a natural drink rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, extracted from birch trunks and branches.

Due to its beneficial properties, birch sap has become actively used in the USA and European countries as a means to rejuvenate the skin and prevent many diseases. It is especially useful for the elderly, as it reduces the risk of osteoporosis and most chronic pathologies.

What is birch sap

Birch sap or birch water is a liquid flowing from damaged trunks or branches of birch under the action of root pressure.

The juice has a clear consistency and a slightly sweet taste. It contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants necessary for the human body.

After harvesting, the juice must be consumed within 2-3 days (regardless of storage conditions), otherwise fermentation processes are initiated.

Birch water is taken in its pure form, and also serves as the main ingredient for making wine, syrups, beer and even honey.

Canned juice appeared relatively recently for industrial purposes and immediately received recognition. As a rule, it is sold in packages of 1-3 liters .

6 medicinal properties

Let's consider the key theses about the benefits of birch sap for the human body (based on scientific research and literary reviews).

1. Rich in nutrients

Birch water is a valuable source of vitamins and minerals that support human health.

The composition of the drink is strong varies depending on the geographical location and type of soil, however, it is always low in carbohydrates, low in calories (only 3 calories per 100 ml) and a lot of magnesium and manganese.

In 100 ml of typical birch sap contains :

The product also contains small amounts of ascorbic and folic acids, copper, phosphorus and potassium.

A distinctive feature of the juice is the abundance of polyphenolic antioxidants, which play an important role in the prevention of cancer and some chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc.).

2. Keeps bones strong

Only 100 ml of juice contain almost half of the daily allowance of manganese.

This mineral is necessary for Maintaining bone strength and fracture prevention.

According to Italian scientists, the use of sufficient amounts of manganese warns the development of osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass, leading to increased bone fragility. The problem mainly affects the elderly, as well as some post-menopausal women.

The second, no less valuable mineral is calcium. According to research, calcium warns age-related decrease in the strength of the vertebral column, and also provides prevention of severe spinal deformity in osteochondrosis.

Birch sap, like any other products containing manganese and calcium, is recommended to be consumed on a regular basis in order to normalize the health of the musculoskeletal system and reduce the risk of "senile" fractures (for example, hip neck).

3. It has an antioxidant effect

Birch sap is a source of polyphenolic antioxidants.

They protect every cell of the body is protected from the effects of free radicals (during oxidative stress).

Free radicals can cause cell damage, initiate the growth of malignant tumors or the development of certain chronic diseases, accelerate the aging of the body as a whole.

Scientific works of Indian experts confirm that antioxidants reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

It should be noted separately that the drink contains betulin and vitamin C, which have no less powerful antioxidant activity. Betulin is transformed into betulinic acid, providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects.

4. Supports skin health

Birch tree juice has been used since ancient times not only in folk medicine, but also in cosmetology. It is included in a number of lotions and gels for skin care of the face and body.

Research show that the banal replacement of water in cosmetics with birch sap leads to an increase in the production of keratinocytes. These cells support the work of the immune system at the level of the skin, they prevent the penetration of toxic substances and infectious agents, partially absorb the sun's rays and take part in the synthesis of vitamin D.

Additionally Vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen, a protein responsible for maintaining smoothness and elasticity. Therefore, the drink can prevent the formation of wrinkles, areas of sagging and sagging skin.

Also ascorbic acid protects the outer layers of the epidermis are protected from harmful ultraviolet solar radiation, which can not only accelerate the appearance of age-related changes, but also increase the risk of developing cancer.

Medicinal properties are manifested when using natural birch sap both topically and internally.

5. Strengthens hair

Vitamin C, available in high-quality birch sap, increases collagen production and improves iron absorption in the digestive tract.

These components, according to research by American and Japanese scientists, save hair structure and support their growth, prevent early baldness.

The drink can be used not only for prevention purposes, but even for baldness therapy. Sufficient levels of vitamins and minerals in the diet lies is at the heart of the therapeutic strategy.

According to Swiss experts, an equally significant cause of baldness is oxidative stress. Birch sap is saturated with antioxidants, therefore, it affects this link in the pathogenesis of the disease.

In folk medicine, birch tree juice is actively used to treat hair loss, as well as reduce their fragility.

6. Saturates the body with liquid

Birch water is practically does not have contains sugar and has an incredibly low energy value.

Additionally, it is saturated with electrolytes involved in redox reactions and supporting the work of all internal organs.

Birch sap can be replaced with ordinary water. It is especially necessary after active physical or mental exertion, as well as during training.

The product can become the main component of a diet aimed at maintaining body weight or losing weight. You can drink up to 300-400 ml of juice per day in the absence of liver or kidney diseases.

Possible harm

The drink is safe for most men and women when consumed correctly and in moderate amounts.

However, birch sap has contraindications, and in some situations it can cause harm to health.

Possible side effects are:

1. Impaired renal function. Birch sap contains manganese. The abundance of this mineral in the diet can lead to dysfunction or even toxic damage to the epithelium of the renal tubules. People suffering from chronic diseases of the urinary tract (chronic kidney disease, chronic glomerulonephritis) should be treated with extreme caution when taking the product. The safe daily dose for a healthy person is 300-400 ml, for children – 100 ml.
2. Allergic reactions. Have been studied quite well and are characterized by polymorphism of clinical manifestations (from skin rashes to deadly anaphylactic shock). Cases of allergic pathologies with hypersensitivity to pollen or birch buds have been described. In the presence of allergic reactions in the past, the drink is categorically contraindicated.

Birch sap is generally safe for the body of a pregnant woman or child. The available studies have not recorded any harm to health with standardized consumption.

Useful tips

1. How to collect? It is recommended to collect birch sap in early spring, but it is also acceptable in summer. The areas of birch facing the sun are excellent. It is important to note that the diameter of the tree trunk must exceed 20 cm, otherwise the procedure for collecting juice can cause significant damage to the tree. Before starting the collection, you need to make a small incision in the trunk, a colorless liquid will begin to ooze from there. Then it is necessary to deepen the incision or drill a hole with a diameter of 5-7 mm. To speed up the juice collection, several holes can be made (with a trunk diameter of 20-25 cm – one, 30 cm – two, 35 – three, over 40 – four). Next, you just need to fix the container and wait for it to fill up. It is not recommended to collect more than 1-3 liters of juice from one tree (20-60 minutes). At the end of the collection, plug the hole with wax, moss or garden pitch.
2. How to drink properly? To maintain the health of the body, it is better to take juice on an empty stomach or maintain an interval of 1-2 hours from eating. Juice should not be washed down with medicines.
3. How much can I drink per day? The safe daily dose of birch sap for children is up to 100 ml, for adults – about 300-400 ml. In the absence of kidney and liver diseases, it is permissible to consume up to 1-1.5 liters of drink per day (no more than 2 times a week).
4. When is it better to drink? The drink can be drunk at any time of the day. In folk medicine, it is used in the morning (on an empty stomach), as well as in the afternoon (1-2 hours after eating).
5. Is it possible to boil? The juice should not be heat-treated, this will lead to the loss of a significant part of vitamins and antioxidants, but it will practically not affect the taste characteristics.
6. How to store? After harvesting, it is preferable to store fresh juice in any glass vessel (jar, bottle) with a tight lid in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. With this approach, all valuable nutrients are preserved. Birch sap should not be frozen, but it can be preserved.
7. How to preserve? To increase the shelf life by preservation, pour the juice into an enameled saucepan, add sugar (1 tsp per 500 ml) and citric acid (a pinch per 500 ml). Preheat to 80-85 degrees, then pour into sterilized glass jars and roll up. Canned birch sap is suitable for consumption for 6 months, but the volume of nutrients (mainly vitamins) is reduced.

Conclusion

1. Birch sap is a valuable drink obtained from the trunk or branches of a birch tree.
2. It is rich in some vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components are of particular value.
3. The drink has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases from the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, as well as malignant tumors.
4. The product is often used to prevent osteoporosis, as well as to maintain healthy skin and hair.
5. The juice can cause side effects.