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Earlier this month, we shared the new study results from our sensational new dosing study - that four capsules could, in fact, be the 'big gun' for reducing fatigue and exertion during endurance exercise.
In this follow-up interview with Professor Mark Willems, who led the study, we learn more why this result is really causing a stir.
About the study
This was the first study to assess the effects of one dose of four capsules of CurraNZ in a race-fit Ironman triathlete three weeks before Ironman Barcelona in 2023.
To date, the ten-year program of research has largely focused on one or two capsules for performance, which requires 7-days loading.
Only in the last year has published evidence emerged suggesting that 'acute' intake at a higher dose, ie one dose of three capsules of CurraNZ, two hours before a race, might provide performance effects, saving the need to load for a week.
Researchers found in the placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over single-blind study showed that 4 capsules (1200mg) of CurraNZ, two hours before the testing session:
The 49-year-old athlete, a veteran of 14 Ironman events in 16 years, followed a personalized fuelling strategy of eight energy and carbohydrate gels, bananas and water ad libitum.
Metabolic and heart rate measurements, blood samples and expired air were collected every 60 minutes.
Professor Willems: ‘Reducing heart rate by ten beats a minute is A LOT’
Reflecting on the lower perceived exertion and heart rate findings, Professor Willems says, “lowering the heart rate by ten beats per minute across four hours of constant-power cycling is a lot.
“One likely explanation is the supplement optimised blood flow and when that happens, the body works less hard to circulate blood.
“A lower heart rate is a good sign because in long duration exercise, especially in hot conditions, you get cardiovascular drift, depending on the intensity of the exercise. It’s common to see the heart rate getting higher and higher as the exercise protocol goes on, so a lower starting point means you can go for longer before you reach the point where intensity of exercise is not comfortable anymore.
“The athlete’s experience of the two testing sessions reflected this too – it was very obvious to him when he was using blackcurrant, it was much less difficult than the placebo session.”
Fat oxidation suggested some blunting effects from carbohydrate intake
There was a trend for 13% increase in fat oxidation, which is slightly lower than previous 7-day dosing observations of 17%-25% in men during exercise.
Professor Willems says: “We think this athlete’s fat burning alterations could have been blunted by the carbohydrate gels and bananas every 30 minutes, but we don’t know by how much. Even so, it is still a very good indication that an acute dose still had an effect – we’re confident that if we see a change in fat oxidation, it’s due to intake of blackcurrant.”
CurraNZ has been the subject of over ten years of research and the most effective dosing strategies are still being explored – as well as how highly trained athletes respond to the supplement.
The plant bioactives in blackcurrants, called anthocyanins, increase blood flow, oxygen uptake, reoxygenation rates and use in muscle. Additionally, they are valuable for fuelling strategies, by boosting the body’s reliance on using fat as fuel and reducing carbohydrate – all factors that are implicated in the production of lactate, an indicator of muscle fatigue.
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