Study finds CurraNZ can abolish mild gastro-intestinal distress symptoms in 50% of runners

[JUNE 2022] New data from a study¹ has revealed how CurraNZ can reduce mild gastro-intestinal (GI) distress symptoms by up to 50% in runners who exercise or compete in hot conditions.

Twelve healthy recreationally active, unacclimatised men took 600mg of New Zealand blackcurrant extract – CurraNZ - for seven days before performing 60 minutes of moderate-intensity treadmill running in hot ambient conditions (34°C, 40% humidity).

Eleven of the 12 subjects reported GI symptoms, with nine experiencing mild distress, and two severe.

 The findings showed blackcurrant extract:

• Abolished GI symptoms in 7 of the 11 participants
• Abolished upper GI distress symptoms in 50% of the subjects, compared to placebo
• Abolished lower GI distress symptoms in 50% of the subjects, compared to placebo
• Other symptoms (dizziness, nausea and stitch) were also abolished in 33% of the subjects

The testing protocol is known to reduce blood flow to the abdominal region by 80% and is commonly used to measure heat response, but doesn’t customarily result in severe symptoms in subjects. 

The significant findings have implications for those undertaking running exercises in the heat that are known to disrupt gastro-intestinal barrier and function.

GI distress symptoms can compromise exercise performance as well as carbohydrate digestion and absorption.

The study was performed by Dr Ben Lee, a thermal physiologist and now at Coventry University, in collaboration with Professor Mark Willems of the University of Chichester.

References

1. Willems et al. Anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant extract reduces running-induced gastro-intestinal symptoms in the heat. JISSN, Florida, June 2022.
2. Lee et al. Anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract preserves gastrointestinal barrier 1 permeability and reduces enterocyte damage but has no effect on microbial translocation and inflammation after exertional heat stress, IJSNEM (in press) doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2021-0330.