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Improves Athletic Performance
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Cognitive Benefits
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Improves Blood Flow
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Supports Immunity
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Improves Recovery After Exercise
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Manages Inflammation for Tissue Repair
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Improves Fat Oxidation
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Supports Training Adaption
IMPROVES ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
A number of clinical studies have demonstrated New Zealand blackcurrant can improve athletic performance. For example, taking blackcurrant before exercise resulted in faster cycling times (Murphy et al. 2017), race times (Cook et al. 2015), and increased endurance during repetitive sprints (Willems et al. 2016) and rock climbing (Potter et al. 2018). Many different mechanisms have been investigated including cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, oxidative stress management, and metabolic improvements.
Braakhuis AJ, Hopkins WG, Lowe TE. Effects of dietary antioxidants on training and performance in female runners. Eur J Sport Sci. 2014;14(2):160-8.
www.doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2013.785597Willems MET, Myers SD, Blacker SD, Cook MD. CurraNZ blackcurrant improves cycling performance and recovery in trained endurance athletes. J Int Soc sports Nutr. 2014.11.10.1186/1550-2783-11-S1-P14.
www.doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-11-S1-P14Cook MD, Myers SD, Blacker SD, Willems ME. New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves cycling performance and fat oxidation in cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2015 Nov;115(11):2357-65.
www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3215-8Perkins IC, Vine SA, Blacker SD, Willems MET. New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves high-intensity intermittent running. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2015 Oct;25(5):487-93.
www.doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0020Willems MET, Myers SD, Gault ML, Cook MD. Beneficial physiological effects with blackcurrant intake in endurance athletes. Int J Sports Nutr Ex Metabol. 2015;25:367-374.
www.doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2014-0233Willems MET, Cousins L, Williams D, Blacker SD. Beneficial effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant extract on maximal sprint speed during the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test. Sports. 2016;4:42.
www.doi.org/10.3390/sports4030042Godwin C, Cook MD, Willems MET. Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on performance during the running based anaerobic sprint test in trained youth and recreationally active male football players. Sports (Basel). 2017;5(3):69.
www.doi.org/10.3390/sports5030069Murphy CA, Cook MD, Willems MET. Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on repeated cycling time trial performance. Sports 2017;5:25.
www.doi.org/10.3390/sports5020025Willems MET, Sahin MA, Berendsen T, Cook MD. Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on cycling performance and substrate oxidation in normobaric hypoxia in trained cyclists. Sports (Basel). 2019 Mar 16;7(3). pii: E67.
www.doi.org/10.3390/sports7030067Perkins IC, Blacker SD, Willems MED. Intra-individual responses to New Zealand blackcurrant extract during high-intensity, intermittent running: A repeat response study. Conference Poster. Int J Sports Nutr Ex Metabol. 2019;29(Suppl1):S1-S16. doi:
www.doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2019-0057.Potter JA, Hodgson CI, Broadhurst M, Howell L, Gilbert J, Willems MET, Perkins IC. Effects of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on sport climbing performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2020 Jan;120(1):67-75.
www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04226-2COGNITIVE BENEFITS
A few clinical studies have shown that blackcurrant extract can improve human cognitive function and the inhibition of monoamine oxidase-B and increased monoamine neurotransmitters appears to play a role. Another study demonstrates that blackcurrant may improve self-motivation to adhere to an exercise regime (Lomiwes et al. 2019).
Watson AW, Haskell-Ramsay CF, O’Kennedy D, Cooney JM, Trower T, Scheepens A. Acute supplementation with blackcurrant extracts modulates cognitive functioning and inhibits monoamine oxidase-B in healthy young adults. J Func Food 2015 Aug:17:524-539
www.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2015.06.005Watson AW, Scheepens A, Kennedy DO, Cooney JM, Trower TM, Haskell-Ramsay CF. The pharmacodynamic profile of "Blackadder" blackcurrant juice effects upon the monoamine axis in humans: A randomised controlled trial. Nutr Neurosci. 2018 Oct 5:1-10.
www.doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2018.1525950Lomiwes D, Ha B, Ngametua N, Burr NS, Cooney JM, Trower TM, Sawyer G, Hedderley D, Hurst RD, Hurst SM. Timed consumption of a New Zealand blackcurrant juice support positive affective responses during a self-motivated moderate walking exercise in healthy sedentary adults. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2019 Dec;16(1):1-4.
www.doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0300-0IMPROVES BLOOD FLOW
Clinical evidence shows that blackcurrant extract can improve blood flow. It can lower systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure; increase cardiac output and stroke volume; decrease total peripheral resistance; increase the diameter of the femoral artery (Cook et al. 2017a); maintain forearm blood flow (Barnes et al. 2018; Matsumoto et al. 2005); and increase circulation in the cold (Takenami et al. 2004). It also has benefits for heart rate (Potter et al. 2018).
Takenami,E. Kurashige,K.I. Matsumoto, H. Honma,T. Osada, T. Okubo, M. Hamaoka,T. Improvement of cold water immersion induced circulation impairment by blackcurrant extract intake-the investigation on cold constitutional women. J Jap Soc Ther. 2004; 23:194–201.
Matsumoto H, Takenami E, Iwasaki-Kurashige K, Osada T, Katsumura T, Hamaoka T. Effects of blackcurrant anthocyanin intake on peripheral muscle circulation during typing work in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005 May;94(1-2):36-45.
www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1279-yWillems MET, Myers SD, Cook MD, Gault ML. Effect of New Zealand Sujon blackcurrant on resting cardiovascular function in triathletes. J Int Soc sports Nutr. 2014; 11(Suppl 1): P3.
www.doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-11-S1-P3Cook MD, Myers SD, Blacker SD, Willems ME. New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves cycling performance and fat oxidation in cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2015 Nov;115(11):2357-65.
www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3215-8Willems MET, Myers SD, Gault ML, Cook MD. Beneficial physiological effects with blackcurrant intake in endurance athletes. Int J Sports Nutr Ex Metabol. 2015;25:367-374.
www.doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2014-0233Cook MD, Myers SD, Gault ML, Willems MET. Blackcurrant alters physiological responses and femoral artery diameter during sustained isometric contraction. Nutrients 2017;9:556.
www.doi.org/10.3390/nu9060556Barnes M, Perry B, Hurst R, Lomiwes D. Effects of blackcurrant extract on peripheral blood flow and muscular endurance. Med Sci Sports Ex 2018 May:50(5S):720
www.doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000538374.17437.0bPotter JA, Hodgson CI, Broadhurst M, Howell L, Gilbert J, Willems MET, Perkins IC. Effects of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on sport climbing performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2020 Jan;120(1):67-75.
www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04226-2SUPPORTS IMMUNITY
New Zealand blackcurrants have been shown to activate the body’s immune defenses. In one study, New Zealand blackcurrant increased circulating neutrophils, the expression of neutrophil surface receptors, and helped maintain the ability of the neutrophils to phagocytose infectious bacteria (Hurst et al. 2019). In another study, 5-weeks supplementation with blackcurrant extract increased levels of IL-10, which was correlated with enhanced antioxidant status (Hurst et al. 2020).
Lyall KA, Hurst SM, Cooney J, Jensen D, Lo K, Hurst RD, Stevenson LM. Short-term blackcurrant extract consumption modulates exercise-induced oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2009 Jul;297(1):R70-81.
www.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.90740.2008Hurst RD, Lyall KA, Roberts JM, Perthaner A, Wells RW, Cooney JM, Jensen DJ, Burr NS, Hurst SM. Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich extract made from New Zealand blackcurrants prior to exercise may assist recovery from oxidative stress and maintains circulating neutrophil function: A pilot study. Front Nutr. 2019 May 29;6:73.
www.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00073Hurst RD, Lyall KA, Wells RW, Sawyer GM, Lomiwes D, Ngametua N and Hurst SM. Daily Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich extract made from New Zealand blackcurrants for 5 weeks supports exercise recovery through the management of oxidative stress and inflammation: A randomized placebo controlled pilot study. Front. Nutr. 2020;7:16.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.00016/fullIMPROVES RECOVERY AFTER EXERCISE
The specific health effect proposed for New Zealand blackcurrant is the management of moderate exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation which leads to improved exercise recovery. A number of clinical trials have also demonstrated blackcurrant extract can reduce measures of muscle damage and fatigue like creatine kinase and lactate (Hutchison et al. 2016; Willems et al. 2015; Lyall et al. 2009).
Lyall KA, Hurst SM, Cooney J, Jensen D, Lo K, Hurst RD, Stevenson LM. Short-term blackcurrant extract consumption modulates exercise-induced oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2009 Jul;297(1):R70-81.
www.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.90740.2008Dannapfel S, Lowe T, Cummins R. The acute effect of prolonged intense cycling and blackcurrant extract on protein carbonyls in well-trained male cyclists. J Sci Med Sport 12S (2009) S1–S83.
www.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.166Hutchison AT, Flieller EB, Dillon KJ, Leverett BD. Black currant nectar reduces muscle damage and inflammation following a bout of high-intensity eccentric contractions. J Dietary Suppl. 13(1):1–15, 2016.
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1440244008004039Watson AW, Scheepens A, Kennedy DO, Cooney JM, Trower TM, Haskell-Ramsay CF. The pharmacodynamic profile of "Blackadder" blackcurrant juice effects upon the monoamine axis in humans: A randomised controlled trial. Nutr Neurosci. 2018 Oct 5:1-10.
www.doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2018.1525950Barnes M, Perry B, Hurst R, Lomiwes D. Effects of Blackcurrant extract on peripheral blood flow and muscular endurance. Med Sci Sports Ex 2018 May:50(5S):720
www.doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000538374.17437.0bHurst RD, Lyall KA, Roberts JM, Perthaner A, Wells RW, Cooney JM, Jensen DJ, Burr NS, Hurst SM. Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich extract made from New Zealand blackcurrants prior to exercise may assist recovery from oxidative stress and maintains circulating neutrophil function: A pilot study. Front Nutr. 2019 May 29;6:73.
www.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00073Hurst RD, Lyall KA, Wells RW, Sawyer GM, Lomiwes D, Ngametua N and Hurst SM. Daily Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich extract made from New Zealand blackcurrants for 5 weeks supports exercise recovery through the management of oxidative stress and inflammation: A randomized placebo controlled pilot study. Front. Nutr. 2020;7:16.
www.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.00016Manages Inflammation for Tissue Repair
A number of studies show blackcurrant extract speeds the body’s own inflammatory defences toward tissue repair. For example, it appropriately modulates the production of pro and anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory cytokines like TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10.
Lyall KA, Hurst SM, Cooney J, Jensen D, Lo K, Hurst RD, Stevenson LM. Short-term blackcurrant extract consumption modulates exercise-induced oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2009 Jul;297(1):R70-81.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.90740.2008Hutchison AT, Flieller EB, Dillon KJ, Leverett BD. Black currant nectar reduces muscle damage and inflammation following a bout of high-intensity eccentric contractions. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 13(1):1–15, 2016.
www.doi.org/10.3109/19390211.2014.952864Hurst RD, Lyall KA, Roberts JM, Perthaner A, Wells RW, Cooney JM, Jensen DJ, Burr NS, Hurst SM. Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich extract made from New Zealand blackcurrants prior to exercise may assist recovery from oxidative stress and maintains circulating neutrophil function: A pilot study. Front Nutr. 2019 May 29;6:73.
www.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00073Hurst RD, Lyall KA, Wells RW, Sawyer GM, Lomiwes D, Ngametua N and Hurst SM Daily consumption of an anthocyanin-rich extract made from New Zealand blackcurrants for 5 weeks supports exercise recovery through the management of oxidative stress and inflammation: A randomized placebo controlled pilot study. Front. Nutr. 2020;7:16.
www.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.00016IMPROVES FAT OXIDATION
Clinical evidence suggests blackcurrant extract can improve energy usage, especially during exercise. This includes increased fatty acid oxidation, decreased carbohydrate oxidation (Cook et al. 2017b; Strauss et al. 2018), and lower resting energy expenditure (Strauss et al. 2018).
Cook MD, Myers SD, Blacker SD, Willems ME. New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves cycling performance and fat oxidation in cyclists. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2015 Nov;115(11):2357-65.
www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3215-8Cook MD, Myers SD, Gault ML, Edwards VC, Willems MET. Dose effects of New Zealand blackcurrant on substrate oxidation and physiological responses during prolonged cycling. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117:1207–1216.
www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3607-zStrauss JA, Willems MET, Shepherd SO. New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances fat oxidation during prolonged cycling in endurance-trained females. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2018 Jun;118(6):1265-1272.
www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3858-3SUPPORT TRAINING ADAPTATION
New Zealand blackcurrants don’t act as antioxidants in human plasma (Hurst et al. 2019). The management of exercise oxidative stress and inflammation is unlikely to be attributable to the antioxidant properties of the extract and more likely due to blackcurrant activating adaptive defensive pathways in cells and tissues. This potentially occurs through blackcurrant anthocyanins working with exercise to modulate Nrf2-antioxidant response element signalling pathways. Additionally daily consumption of New Zealand blackcurrants over 5 weeks either maintained or enhanced exercise recovery effectiveness, improving anti-inflammatory and immunity measures (Hurst et al. 2020).
Lyall KA, Hurst SM, Cooney J, Jensen D, Lo K, Hurst RD, Stevenson LM. Short-term blackcurrant extract consumption modulates exercise-induced oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2009 Jul;297(1):R70-81.
www.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.90740.2008Dannapfel S, Lowe T, Cummins R. The acute effect of prolonged intense cycling and blackcurrant extract on protein carbonyls in well-trained male cyclists. J Sci Med Sport 12S (2009) S1–S83.
www.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.166Braakhuis AJ, Hopkins WG, Lowe TE. Effects of dietary antioxidants on training and performance in female runners. Eur J Sport Sci. 2014;14(2):160-8.
www.doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2013.785597Hutchison AT, Flieller EB, Dillon KJ, Leverett BD. Black currant nectar reduces muscle damage and inflammation following a bout of high-intensity eccentric contractions. J Dietary Suppl. 13(1):1–15, 2016.
www.doi.org/10.3109/19390211.2014.952864Hurst RD, Lyall KA, Roberts JM, Perthaner A, Wells RW, Cooney JM, Jensen DJ, Burr NS, Hurst SM. Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich extract made from New Zealand blackcurrants prior to exercise may assist recovery from oxidative stress and maintains circulating neutrophil function: A pilot study. Front Nutr. 2019 May 29;6:73.
www.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00073Hurst RD, Lyall KA, Wells RW, Sawyer GM, Lomiwes D, Ngametua N and Hurst SM Daily Consumption of an anthocyanin-rich extract made from New Zealand blackcurrants for 5 weeks supports exercise recovery through the management of oxidative stress and inflammation: A randomized placebo controlled pilot study. Front. Nutr. 2020;7:16.
www.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.00016
A Unique Berry
New Zealand blackcurrants aren’t just any other berry. This powerful polyphenol superfood delivers enhanced performance and faster recovery thanks to a unique and one-of-a-kind combination of anthocyanins that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Adaptive Anthocyanins
New Zealand blackcurrants act as a pre-exercise primer to increase plasma oxidative capacity. This triggers your body’s antioxidant and inflammatory defense and recovery systems, so you’re ready to go as soon as your workout begins.
Delphinidins (Pro-oxidant)
Pro-oxidants in 2before switch on your body’s own antioxidant system, helping you to push harder for longer. Taking it 30-60 minutes before exercise helps you reach maximum saturation for optimum cellular priming.
Cyanidins (Anti-Oxidant)
On their own, antioxidants don’t help exercise or recovery —but our unique blackcurrant variety combines antioxidants with pro oxidants, unlocking your extra performance.