Not everyone knows about the benefits and many ways to use gooseberries, but this berry is... delicious ingredient for dishes, natural medicine and raw materials for natural cosmetics.
Chemical composition of "northern grapes"
Gooseberries, which are also called “agrus” and “northern grapes,” belong to the Currant genus. It contains 84.7 g of water, 9.1 g of carbohydrates, 3.4 g of dietary fiber, 1.3 g of organic acids, 0.7 g of proteins, 0.2 g of fat per 100 g of berries. Gooseberry calorie content is 44 calories.
- Microelements: potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine.
- Macroelements: iron, iodine, manganese, copper, molybdenum, nickel, fluorine, chromium, zinc.
- Vitamins: A, beta-carotene, group B, C, E, PP.
The most high-calorie and useful part of the fruit is the skin.
Did you know? Gooseberries appeared in Kievan Rus in the 11th century. The Ukrainian name “agrus” was borrowed in the 15th–16th centuries. via Polish agrest (" sour wine from unripe grapes") from Italian agresto - "unripe grapes". A similar word is used to call a plant and others Slavic peoples: Belarusians - “agrest”, Serbs and Croats - “ogrozd”, Czechs - “agrest”, Slovaks - “egresh”. Among the Bulgarians, the name sounds like “Tsarigradsko grozde” (Tsaregrad bunch).
When to use gooseberries, the medicinal properties of the plant
Scroll medicinal properties gooseberry is quite wide, thanks to its rich chemical composition.
The berries are recommended for consumption by people with hypertension. Gooseberries promote normalization blood pressure and strengthens the walls blood vessels. It also helps to cope with hypovitaminosis, a lack of iron, copper and phosphorus in the body.
Thanks to its choleretic and diuretic properties, gooseberries are useful for diseases of the liver and biliary tract, inflammation of the kidneys and Bladder. As an analgesic and laxative for illnesses gastrointestinal tract use gooseberry decoction (from a tablespoon of fruit and a glass of water, pre-strained and cooled, the consumption rate is one serving 4 times a day).
Gooseberry juice, thanks to pectin, helps remove radionuclides and heavy metal salts from the body, thus it is useful for people affected by radiation.
Not only the fruits, but also the gooseberry leaves also have their own beneficial features and contraindications. Decoctions and healing infusions are made from them. Such medications are used to prevent anemia, normalize digestion, improve blood circulation and strengthen blood vessels, treat urolithiasis. However overuse A decoction of gooseberry leaves can lead to dehydration, slower metabolism and loss of valuable vitamins.
Important! If you pour boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dried gooseberry leaves and 2 tablespoons of tea, add a slice of lemon, mint, cinnamon, sugar or honey, you can get a delicious tonic drink.
Gooseberries and weight loss, how gooseberries are used in dietetics
Gooseberries are a very valuable product in dietetics due to their low calorie content, availability minerals and vitamins. It is useful to use in case of impaired metabolism for overweight people.
When treating obesity, consume large amounts of berries for several weeks, limiting the total caloric content of food.
The berries are used to prepare compote, jam, pastille, jelly, jelly, pies, salads, seasonings, wine, sweet and sour sauce and marinade for meat and fish. Among the many jam recipes, there are also dietary ones - with sweeteners instead of sugar, citrus fruits, fruits and nuts.
Did you know? The most delicious and difficult type of gooseberry jam is “ royal jam" To prepare it green berries it is necessary to remove the seeds and boil in water with cherry leaves, which preserves the beautiful emerald or amber color of the jam.
Recipes for using gooseberries for cosmetic purposes
Today, many people prefer natural remedies rather than chemical cosmetics, so gooseberries can be very useful for women in self-care. The organic acids it contains deeply cleanse pores, retinol restores damaged cells, ascorbic acid improves metabolic processes and eliminates inflammation, potassium regulates hydration levels.
From half a glass of freshly squeezed juice ripe berries Gooseberries and a teaspoon of glycerin can be used to prepare a tonic lotion to moisturize and soften the skin of the face and neck.
Lotion for oily skin consists of 2 tablespoons of mashed berries, 100 ml warm water and 1 tbsp. tablespoons of alcohol (pour water over the berries, stir, strain after half an hour and add alcohol).
To prepare masks, mix a spoonful of crushed gooseberries with other ingredients:
- against peeling: with a spoon of olive oil;
- For problem skin against inflammation: with half a spoon of blue clay;
- to cleanse oily skin: with a spoonful of starch and a pinch of soda;
- for combination skin: with 2 tablespoons of yogurt;
- to nourish dry skin: with a spoonful of dairy products (sour cream, cottage cheese, cream) or yolk and a spoonful of butter.
Masks with gooseberry juice and pulp are also made for hair. You can also find dry Indian gooseberry powder on sale, which needs to be diluted with water to form a paste and applied to the hair for 15 minutes. This mask makes hair strong, thick and shiny.
Important! To avoid allergic reaction skin on the mask, it is necessary to test it on the inside of the wrist or elbow before use. Do not use the mask if there are wounds on your face.
Gooseberries are an indispensable product for pregnant women
Pregnant women simply need to know how gooseberries are beneficial for their body. After all, it is he who can help reduce suffering from toxicosis. The berry does not have a pronounced smell that provokes nausea, and its taste necessarily contains sourness - something that expectant mothers prefer in food. Gooseberry juice diluted with water will help cope with the problem of facial pigmentation if you wipe areas of the skin with it.
The berries contain many substances that are beneficial for the health of mother and baby. Iron increases hemoglobin levels in the blood and prevents the development of anemia. Gooseberries help a woman’s body cope with additional stress: it removes excess fluid, reducing swelling, promotes kidney function, stimulates blood circulation, has a diuretic and laxative effect, and strengthens the immune system.
Most Russians spend every summer at their dacha. There we are surrounded by many vegetables, fruits and berries. But no garden can do without such a famous and beloved gooseberry. We make tea from the leaves and use the berries for... culinary masterpieces. However, not everyone thinks about the benefits that eating gooseberries brings to the body. Let's look into this.
Appearance and breeding sites
As we all know, gooseberry is a small multi-stemmed shrub, reaching a height of 1-1.5 meters. Its bark is dark gray or dark brown. The trunks and branches are covered with small thorns. Serrated leaves triangular shape covered with fluff. The flowers often grow one at a time and have green or reddish tints. The berries, green or all shades of red, are quite large, oblong in shape and covered with bristles.
The perennial gooseberry bush is grown in Central and Southern Europe, Ukraine, the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, Central Asia, North Africa and America. IN natural conditions it can be found in forests. It loves moisture, but does not tolerate shade very well. Usually gooseberries are very fertile - 20-25 kilograms of fruit can be collected from one bush.
Composition of gooseberries
Gooseberry contains a lot necessary for the body vitamins and microelements. It boasts the presence of:
— vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B-carotene, C, PP
- iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, fluorine, zinc, cobalt
- yoda
- malic, citric and folic acid
- ash
- fiber, pectin
- tannins
— molybdenum
- biotin
- proteins, fats, carbohydrates
Useful properties of gooseberries
- The main direction of action of vitamins and minerals in gooseberries is restoration, nourishment and support of the body. But besides this, it can help in the fight against diseases of varying severity.
- Berries strengthen the immune system, improve the condition of blood vessels and help with hemorrhages. Promote weight loss and normalize metabolism. They will help cope with atherosclerosis, hypertension, anemia and constipation. Gooseberries will cleanse the body of heavy metals. Also, eating fruits will improve the condition of the skin and help remove stones from the kidneys and bladder.
- A decoction of the fruit has an analgesic, choleretic, diuretic and laxative effects. This folk remedy It will help with indigestion and even with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The decoction normalizes the menstrual cycle and eases the menopause.
- Gooseberries also help with tuberculosis - just make an infusion of the leaves. An infusion of fruits removes excess cholesterol. If you have been exposed to radiation, gooseberry juice will neutralize it.
- Provitamin A protects the mucous membrane, vitamin B6 accelerates hair growth and soothes, biotin heals skin and hair, ascorbic acid improves brain function.
Medicinal gooseberry recipes
- Decoction for constipation. Boil 1 tablespoon of berries over low heat for 10 minutes in 1 glass of water. Then cool and strain. Consume 50 grams 4 times a day. This decoction, when applied externally, will help cure skin inflammation and damage.
- In order to relieve inflammation of the throat and soften it during colds, add a little honey to gooseberry juice. This will be an excellent remedy for anemia, hemorrhage, and skin rashes.
Gooseberries in cooking
Gooseberries are most popular in cooking. It is made from great amount dishes, drinks, sweets: marinades, sauces, juice, compote, jelly, wine, liqueurs, preserves and jam, marmalade, jelly and much, much more. Gooseberries are the only berry that is used in cooking both in ripe and “green” forms.
Everyone remembers sour taste gooseberries. How to make it sweet so that you can enjoy eating it and not wince from clenched teeth? It is enough to expose the berries heat treatment, that is, scald with boiling water or cook a little.
Gooseberry recipes
Chicken breasts with gooseberries and currants.
You will need:
Chicken fillet – 2 pieces
Gooseberries – 100 grams
Blackcurrant – 100 grams
Sugar – 2.5 tablespoons
Cream 20% fat – 200 ml
Vegetable oil.
Cooking method:
Cut each gooseberry in half, add slightly mashed currants, sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Bring to a boil, stirring lightly. Reduce heat and cook for another 5 minutes. Add cream and cook for another 3 minutes.Make deep cuts on chicken fillet, roll in flour and fry in oil for 4 minutes on each side. Then put it in a baking dish, sprinkle with seasonings, pour in the sauce and bake for 10 minutes at 200°C.
Gooseberry pie.
You will need:
Gooseberries – 400 grams
Flour – 300 grams
Egg – 7 pieces
Sugar – 300 grams
Cream 33% fat - 2 tablespoons
Butter– 150 grams
Chopped zest of one lemon
Cooking method:
Cut the frozen butter into small cubes, add sifted flour and 100 grams of sugar. Stir until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Add 1 egg and mix until smooth, then add 1 more egg, mixing in the same way. Add lemon zest and stir until smooth. Roll the resulting dough into a ball and wrap it around cling film and leave in the refrigerator for an hour.Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out thinly and place it in round shape, lubricated with oil. If the dough peeks over the edges, cut off the excess, make several punctures in the remaining dough and place in the oven for 15 minutes at 180°C.
Cover the gooseberries with sugar and cook for about 10 minutes; rub half the berries with the syrup through a sieve until soft. Beat 5 eggs with cream and mix with pureed berries, beat again.
Place the remaining whole berries with syrup on the dough and pour egg mixture. Place in the oven for 30 minutes at the same temperature. Once the required time has passed, remove from the oven and leave for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan, cut and serve.
Contraindications
Gooseberries also have some limitations. It is better to refrain from using it if you have diabetes. Small doses should be limited to diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. But you should completely abandon it in case of stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis and enterocolitis.
Attention to those losing weight!
Gooseberry – perfect option For diet menu. Combine business with pleasure. This is especially useful for severe metabolic disorders.
Common people call gooseberries “northern grapes”; they love them for their pleasant taste qualities and The berry grows on thorny bushes. The fruits are bristly and smooth, spherical in shape and sometimes reach 40 mm. The color palette is varied: green, purple, yellow and even black.
Can be eaten in fresh. Gooseberries also make very tasty and savory jams, marmalade, compotes, preserves and wines. Widely used for cosmetic and medical purposes. It is also valuable as an early honey plant. The berry grows in the middle zone with a temperate climate. There are approximately 1,500 varieties of fruits in the world.
Origin story
Gooseberries were brought to Russia from Western America. It began to be cultivated in the 11th century. In those distant times it was called bersen-kryzh. A little later, in the 17th century, landowners began to grow it on their estates to make elite wine and jam, which was distinguished by its exquisite properties and taste.
Today its thorny bushes can be found in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe and Ukraine. Everywhere it is bred by avid summer residents and gardeners on their plots. The berry is rarely seen in wild forests.
Composition and calorie content
Gooseberries contain organic acids, mono- and disaccharides. How is the fruit beneficial for the body? First of all, it is low in calories - 45 kcal per 100 g. It is recommended to be included in the diet by nutritionists around the world, since the berry is a valuable dietary product.
In addition, it is rich in the B group of vitamins (B1, B2, B6, A, E, C, PP. It contains a lot of macroelements that are beneficial for the body, such as: copper, iron, manganese, ash, calcium, iodine, sodium, fluorine, copper, phosphorus, potassium.It also contains an important trace element - molybdenum, which is involved in the formation of hemoglobin and is responsible for the metabolism of amino acids.
For blood loss and anemia, gooseberries are prescribed. What else is useful, you ask? This is one of the few berry crops that contains a predominant amount of copper. It is rightfully considered the best anti-radiant, since it contains 1.5% pectin, which reliably protects a person from radiation waves. It also regulates cholesterol levels and improves health Airways and the digestive system.
Gooseberries are rich in chemical compounds. Why is it useful? medicinal composition substances present in berries? Coumarin, found in gooseberries, prevents thrombosis, anthocyanin reduces leukocytosis, serotonin helps regulate blood pressure, improves mood and is an antitumor agent. The beneficial properties of gooseberries are priceless.
No wonder it is so actively used in medicinal purposes. In fresh form, it is indicated for deficiency of iron, phosphorus and copper. Decoctions of fruits saturate the body with vitamins. Gooseberries are used as a diuretic.
What are the benefits of the fruit and for what diseases is it recommended?
Useful for kidney diseases, chronic constipation and gastroenterocolitis. Amazing combination microelements helps to increase immune system. This product has a strengthening, hemostatic, restorative and anti-inflammatory effect.
Infusions are used to normalize menstruation, and decoctions of the leaves help with tuberculosis. For lichen and psoriasis, lotions made from pureed fruits help well. To care for oily skin, you can use extracts from these berries or make nourishing masks with the addition of whey and yogurt.
Gooseberries will help get rid of acne and inflammation on the face. Its beneficial properties are great - it is a real royal berry. The fruits are used to treat many ailments.
Harm
For enterocolitis and colitis, accompanied by severe diarrhea, it is contraindicated to consume gooseberries.
It is difficult to find a person who is not familiar with such a berry as gooseberry. He has been known to everyone since early childhood.
Who doesn't love to enjoy gooseberry jam?
How many various blanks Every housewife can prepare it for the winter.
But this berry is not only loved for its taste properties. It also turns out to be useful.
The recognized homeland of gooseberries is Canada. In Europe, it first appeared in France back in the 13th century, and from there its journey began across different countries.
At first it was used only for hedge purposes.
According to some breeders in Russia, gooseberries were grown in monastery gardens. However, gooseberries became widespread in our country only in the 19th century.
In our country it grows well in different areas. If gooseberries are planted by shoots, then already in the third year they begin to bear fruit.
At 5-6 years the time for full fruiting begins. Productivity depends on the variety and agricultural technology and averages 5-10 kg per bush.
What is gooseberry - brief botanical information
Gooseberry is a species of plant in the Gooseberry family, currently considered in the Currant genus. Wikipedia
It belongs to the shrubby plants.
The material for the formation of root shoots is the buds, which are located below the soil level.
They are formed annually.
The plant is demanding of light. If the bush is in a shaded place, the shoots grow thin and long.
They are extremely numerous. Some of them usually dry out. Such branches simply stop bearing fruit.
Therefore, gooseberries should be placed in the garden in well-lit places.
Plus, he loves warmth. If the summer is cold, fruit ripening is delayed and various diseases may occur.
Gooseberry branches are prickly. True, varieties have now been bred with a small amount spikes or without them at all.
In terms of life span, the shrub is durable. The bush can reach one and a half meters in height. With good lighting, the fruiting period can be up to 10 years.
Chemical composition of gooseberries
Gooseberries have a variety of chemical composition. It contains many different substances, their quantitative content is also very variable.
- The taste of berries is determined by the richness of their sugar content. They are contained in fruits about 13%
- Gooseberries contain smaller amounts of organic acids. Their content can reach 3%.
- The plant contains serotonin. It is like a hormone produced by the body. And they call it the hormone of joy.
- Gooseberries have a rich mineral composition. It is represented by the content of various microelements that are found in different quantities. Most of the mineral palette contains iron and potassium. It contains a lot of phosphorus. Calcium is present in slightly smaller quantities. Gooseberries contain a lot of zinc, an element necessary for men's health.
- Not poor in gooseberries is vitamin composition. Contains vitamin C, P. Most of it is found in varieties with red berries. A similar composition is also represented by vitamin A and folic acid.
- Gooseberries are very rich in content P-active substances. They are credited with the function of removing radionuclides and heavy metal salts from the body.
- 85% of gooseberries are water.
Gooseberry berry - beneficial properties of the plant
The benefits of gooseberries are completely non-random. It is due to the content of a large number of substances that are extremely important and necessary for the body.
Gooseberries are a berry that is equally useful for both adults and children.
There are many effects that gooseberries have, but you still need to find out specifically what it helps with?
- It has beneficial properties regarding pigmentation and hair growth. As a result, the hair becomes stronger and its shine improves. This effect is due to the fact that gooseberries contain carotene and iron.
- In addition, gooseberries have antioxidant properties that inhibit the formation of free radicals in the body and prevent the aging process in the body at the cellular level. For women, naturally, this is one of the most painful issues that they are constantly trying to solve.
- If you have cataracts or myopia, then gooseberries can help. This effect is associated with carotene and vitamin A, which are present in it.
- One of the actions of gooseberries is expressed in a diuretic effect. Thanks to this, the body is deprived of excess water, and toxins and waste are eliminated along with it.
- Gooseberries are rich in fiber. It is a ballast substance and without it, digestion processes cannot proceed normally. It stimulates the production of gastric juice. Gooseberries are also very useful for the intestines.
- Gooseberries prevent the development of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. The muscle fibers of the heart become stronger and become more flexible.
- Gooseberries contain a large amount of chromium, which helps remove excess bad cholesterol from the body. This helps prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and their deposition in the walls of blood vessels. All this helps to increase blood flow, which is important in terms of preventing strokes and heart attacks. Gooseberries will also help with blood pressure.
- Gooseberry helps people with a history of diabetes. Regular consumption of gooseberries allows you to keep your blood sugar levels at levels not exceeding the permissible values.
- The significant content of zinc in gooseberries is important for men. This element takes an active part in the synthesis of testosterone, which is the male sex hormone.
- Gooseberries can have an antibacterial effect. This is its protection against infectious diseases. The mechanism of such a protective effect is associated with an increase in the body’s resistance to various diseases infectious nature.
- Eating gooseberries improves appetite. Thanks to it, nitrogen metabolism is normalized in the body. This will benefit those who have decided not to lose weight, but, on the contrary, to gain weight.
- Gooseberries help normalize metabolic processes in the body. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics and other medications, bad habits and poor environment contribute to the accumulation of toxins in the liver. Eating gooseberries will help remove them.
- It has a mild sedative effect. Eating these berries calms you down and helps you relax.
- Gooseberries are credited with the ability to inhibit the development of cancer cells.
Are gooseberries good for pregnancy?
Many women during pregnancy like to eat gooseberries. He is an excellent alternative sour, for example lemon.
Can this be done or not? There are no special restrictions for its use.
It contains a large number of substances beneficial to the body. Therefore, it will be equally useful for both women and the unborn baby. Of course, everything should be within reasonable limits.
We should never forget that gooseberries enhance gastric secretion. Therefore, it is better for pregnant women with a history of gastric ulcers to avoid eating gooseberries.
Gooseberry berries - methods of use
You can make all kinds of preparations for the winter from gooseberries.
It can be compotes, jam. You can preserve gooseberry juice and use it in its pure form in winter.
- Gooseberry juice
To obtain gooseberry juice, it is better to use unripe berries.
The berries must be washed first. Then they need to be crushed. In this case, it is better to use wooden utensils.
In this case, there will be no reaction with gooseberry juice. The resulting juice must be filtered through a sieve. The juice is then poured into jars. For every liter of juice you need to put two small lemons. They should first be cut into separate pieces.
The jars are covered with cellophane and left alone in a warm place for 2 weeks. As a result, the juice becomes light in color
The juice is then filtered and bottled with the addition of a few slices of lemon. It is better if the bottles are made of dark glass.
The final step in preparing juice is tightly capping the bottles. In this form, the juice can be stored for 1 year.
- Gooseberry compote
Gooseberry compote will be very tasty and healthy. To prepare it, it is better to take gooseberry varieties with light berries.
They must be fully mature. The berries are placed in jars and filled with syrup. To prepare it, take 2 kg of sugar per liter of water.
This amount needs to be filled with 9 liter cans. The syrup should be distributed evenly over them. After this, the jars must be sterilized for 15 minutes.
- Gooseberry jam
Gooseberry jam is very tasty and aromatic. This is also one of the ways to prepare berries for the winter.
At the same time, all the beneficial properties of gooseberries are preserved.
Gooseberry berries - contraindications for use
There are a number of restrictions for eating gooseberries:
- It should not be used by persons with peptic ulcer stomach.
- Limitations for its use are colitis and enteritis, accompanied by diarrhea.
- People with kidney stones should consume gooseberries with caution.
Eat gooseberries and be healthy!
It may not be easy to get close to a prickly gooseberry, but the reward for scratches will be a delicious sweet and sour berry filled with micro- and macroelements, vitamins and organic acids. Regardless of whether you eat ripe or unripe gooseberries, their beneficial properties will not decrease. And even when frozen, gooseberries are not inferior to fresh ones, so you can prepare them for future use in order to pamper your body with living vitamins in winter.
Benefits and healing properties of gooseberries
Gooseberries contain B vitamins, vitamin E, A, PP. In terms of the content of vitamin C, which is essential for immunity, gooseberries are second only to currants. In addition, gooseberries are rich in iodine, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, manganese, copper, phosphorus, sodium, fluorine, nickel and sulfur. It contains alimentary fiber, organic acids, pectins, disaccharides and monosaccharides.
If you are concerned about nutrition calorie content Gooseberries will take their rightful place in your diet, because 100 g of berries contain only 44 kcal. To lose weight, it is enough to arrange fasting days, using gooseberries as the main product. The main calorie content and concentration of vitamins come from the peel of the berries, especially ripe ones.
Video about the beneficial properties of gooseberries
Thanks to the rich mineral composition And a large number Gooseberries contain the most important vitamins and have the following healing properties:
- has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes in the body;
- improves blood circulation;
- strengthens blood vessels;
- has a choleretic and diuretic effect;
- protects the body from the effects of radioactive substances;
- prevents the development of cancer;
- pectins remove heavy metal salts and radionuclides;
- minimizes the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases;
- prevents strokes and heart attacks, treats their consequences;
- normalizes hormonal functions;
- strengthens the nervous system;
- promotes fat burning in the body;
- prevents internal hemorrhages;
- increases immunity;
- gives vigor and strength.
Women, especially pregnant women, should add emerald berries to their diet.
Gooseberries are recommended for those who suffer from obesity, chronic constipation (the berries contain a lot of fiber), bladder and kidney diseases, increased vascular permeability and anemia. Women, especially pregnant women, should add emerald berries to their diet.
What are the benefits of gooseberries for pregnant women? It copes remarkably well with anemia, to which many women who are in an “interesting situation” are susceptible. In addition, during pregnancy a lot of stress is placed on the kidneys, and eating gooseberries will help prevent possible problems with the kidneys and at the same time remove excess fluid from the body, which often leads to swelling of the legs in pregnant women.
Ways to use gooseberries
Sweet and sour berries are good on their own, fresh. But if you are tired of eating gooseberries just like that, you can make compote, juice, jam, jam, marmalade from it, use it as a filling for pancakes and pies, or add it to casseroles, porridge and sauce.
Video about gooseberry jam
For iron deficiency, hypovitaminosis, bleeding, chronic constipation and metabolic disorders, gooseberries are consumed in the form of decoctions. For anemia and skin rashes, gooseberry juice with honey will also be useful. From the juice of unripe berries it is obtained excellent remedy To eliminate freckles and age spots, it is enough to lubricate the skin with juice every day. A couple of times during the berry season, it is useful to apply a mask of unripe gooseberries, mashed into a pulp, to the skin of the face. Keep the mask on your face for 20 minutes and then wash off with cold water.
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