Blackcurrant study shows promise for preventing bone density loss

Blackcurrant supplements could offer a promising natural approach to preventing osteoporosis in menopausal women, according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry^1.

As we age, bones lose density and become more fragile, putting us in danger of breaks and fractures.

Osteoporosis particularly affects women in the menopause transition due to falling estrogen levels, with one in two British women over 50 and 8 million women in the US impacted by the disease.

But results from a New Zealand blackcurrant extract clinical trial is exciting experts, suggesting the superfruit could help protect against this life-limiting condition, which is responsible for as many deaths from fracture-related causes as from Type 2 Diabetes and lung cancer².

Regarded a ‘national health emergency’ by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, there is a limited model of medical care for the disease, so effective interventions for women are urgently needed.

Researchers from the University of Connecticut found that high daily doses of New Zealand blackcurrant extract promoted beneficial gut bacteria that help maintain bone density, reduced inflammation and controlled specific molecules that promote bone breakdown.

The clinical trial, , tested low (392mg) or high (784mg) doses of New Zealand blackcurrant extract a day, or a placebo, on 40 peri- and early post-menopausal participants aged 45 to 60.

Those taking the high dose (equivalent to 3.3 capsules of CurraNZ) showed significant improvements in bone mineral density after just six months. The women exhibited a reduction in harmful proteins associated with bone resorption, a key factor in the development of osteoporosis.

This study demonstrated blackcurrant’s significant influence on beneficial gut flora balance and immune response, both of which play vital roles in bone health.

The blackcurrant supplement increased several species of beneficial bacteria, including Ruminococcus 2, a key strain of bacteria that helps maintain bone density.  

CurraNZ is well researched for its sports and health properties, from muscle recovery⁸ to fat burning^(9-21), making it ideal for women undertaking weight-bearing exercise for bone health and seeking weight management support during menopause. 

References

1. Blackcurrants shape gut microbiota profile and reduce risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis via the gut-bone axis: Evidence from a pilot randomized controlled trial, 2024, Nutritional Biochemistry https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109701
2. Royal Osteoporosis Society Report, July 2022
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