Anthocyanins vs. Obesity: How Nature’s Purple Powerhouse Can Help

Obesity and metabolic disease are on the rise worldwide - and mounting evidence is pointing to natural compounds in food as powerful tools in the fight against weight gain.

One of the most promising weapons? Anthocyanins, the antioxidant-rich flavonoids that give blackcurrants and other berries their vibrant colour - and the star compound in CurraNZ.

Last month, the Times newspaper reported its evidenced benefits as 'a serious tool for fat burning' (read article here).  

In a recent CurraNZ guest blog, Dr Kenna Stephenson - a US Board-Certified physician and clinical professor - sounded the alarm on microplastic-related obesity, highlighting animal studies that showed how plant compounds like anthocyanins can counteract weight gain driven by environmental toxins.

But that’s just the beginning. Science shows anthocyanins and related flavonoids support weight maintenance and fat metabolism in multiple ways - and CurraNZ leads the charge with some of the most robust human data to date.

Anthocyanins and flavonoids may combat the root causes of obesity through:

• Reducing inflammation that contributes to insulin resistance and fat accumulation
• Protecting mitochondria and boosting fat-burning potential
• Improving gut health, which plays a major role in appetite regulation and energy metabolism
• Modulating gene expression related to fat storage and energy use

A landmark review by Edirisinghe & Burton-Freeman in Functional Foods in Health and Disease outlines how berry polyphenols target cells and signalling pathways involved in glucose metabolism that resemble the modes of function of diabetes medications - but naturally, and without side effects.

Another large-scale study published in the Journal of Berry Research tracked over 124,000 people across 24 years, finding that those who consumed more anthocyanin-rich flavonoids maintained healthier body weights over time. In particular, even modest increases in anthocyanin intake were linked to less weight gain across the decades.

A dozen clinical trials on CurraNZ back this up with compelling results:

• Increased fat oxidation at rest and during exercise by up to 200%
• Enhanced fat-burning especially in women and individuals with higher body fat
• Improved insulin sensitivity and better post-meal glucose responses
• Improved metabolic flexibility, enabling the body to switch more efficiently between fuel sources
• Reduced oxidative stress

Notably, the CurraNZ studies found the supplement makes the body favour fat for fuel and mimic the benefits of exercise - which is key to long-term weight management and athletic endurance.

Nature’s Answer to Modern Metabolic Problems?

With mounting environmental and lifestyle pressures - from sedentary habits, processed food to microplastic exposure - maintaining a healthy weight is harder than ever.

But nature provides an answer. Anthocyanins, such as our high-potency bioactive-rich blackcurrant extract, offers a scientifically backed, safe, and natural tool to support metabolic health and aid in weight control.

As Dr Kenna says:

"The data is strong enough for me to encourage anthocyanin consumption to help prevent or reverse plastic effects that cause weight gain. For those of us who aren’t lucky to have fresh berries in our backyards, adding a supplement like CurraNZ is a convenient and affordable option.”

Join the thousands of athletes, health-conscious individuals and medical professionals turning to CurraNZ to support their metabolic health and stay one step ahead of weight gain - naturally.

Bertoia ML et al. Dietary flavonoid intake and weight maintenance: three prospective cohorts of 124,086 US men and women followed for up to 24 years. J Berry Res. 2016;6:237–250.

Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman B. Anti-diabetic actions of Berry polyphenols – Review on proposed mechanisms of action.

Mohamed S. Functional foods against metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2014.

·       Willems M. Enhanced Walking-Induced Fat Oxidation by New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Is Body Composition-Dependent in Recreationally Active Adult Nutrients 2022, 14, 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071475

·       Shepherd S, New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances fat oxidation during prolonged cycling in endurance-trained females. European Journal of Applied Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3858-3

·       Cook M, Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Exercising Substrate Utilization and Postexercise Blood Pressure in Men and Women.  International journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 35(2), 150–161. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2024-0108

·       Willems M, Two weeks daily intake of anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances whole-body resting fat oxidation during supine rest in healthy males, Dietary Supplement and Nutraceuticals 2(8), 30-40, 2023. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.31989/dsn.v2i8.1124

S Shepherd S, Short‑term, but not acute, intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves insulin sensitivity and free‑living postprandial glucose excursions in individuals with overweight or obesity. European Journal of Nutrition (2020) doi: 10.1007/s00394-020-02329-7. 

·       Hurst R. Daily consumption of NZBCE for five weeks supports recovery through management of Oxidative Stress and inflammation: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Pilot Study. Frontiers in Nutrition doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.00016

·       Hurst R. 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, Frontiers In Nutrition doi: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00073

·       Willems M. Daily and Not Every-Other-Day Intake of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Alters Substrate Oxidation during Moderate-Intensity Walking in Adult Males, Journal of Dietary Supplements, October 2020, https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1841356

·       Willems M, Intake Duration of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Affects Metabolic Responses during Moderate Intensity Walking Exercise in Males, June 2020 in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1783421

·       Cook M, New Zealand Blackcurrant Improves Performance and Fat Oxidation in Cyclists, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 J European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 June 30. DOI 10.1007/s00421-015-3215-8

·       Cook M, Dose Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant on Substrate Oxidation and Physiological Responses During Prolonged Cycling, Eur J Appl Physiol (April 2017) 117:1207–1216DOI 10.1007/s00421-017-3607-z

·       Cook M, New Zealand Blackcurrant Increases Postexercise Hypotension Following Sustained Moderate-Intensity Exercise. International journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 33(5), 282–290. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0014