Researcher: "Blackcurrants could be a proactive step for reducing the risk of bone loss as we age"

Last week we shared new findings that blackcurrant may offer a natural strategy for supporting bone health as we age (click here for story). 

In this follow-up article, we speak to British researcher Dr Julie Hunt, an academic at Britain's University of Surrey Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and an active researcher in New Zealand blackcurrant studies.

Dr Hunt (left) holds the view that the results confirm blackcurrant’s exciting potential for adult bone health, with broader implications for adult populations.

She says, “Blackcurrant shows promising potential, particularly for women in the menopause transition. For women in this stage, incorporating blackcurrants into their diet could be a proactive step toward reducing the risk of bone loss.

“The study showed an increase in bone density and suggested blackcurrants could help with both bone formation and reducing bone breakdown. Therefore, it might serve as a natural preventive strategy.

“Given that many existing treatments for bone loss involve pharmaceuticals with potential side effects, blackcurrants offer a more natural approach that could appeal to those seeking alternatives or preventive measures. 

“It’s worth highlighting that it would be challenging to consume the necessary amount of blackcurrants naturally in fresh or frozen form to match the levels used in the study. The high-dose group, which showed significant improvements in bone density, consumed the equivalent of about 284 fresh blackcurrants per day, or two capsules with 392 mg of blackcurrant extract. Supplements provide a more feasible option for delivering the necessary doses of anthocyanins to support bone health. 

“Overall, while the findings are promising, it's essential to keep in mind that further research is needed to confirm optimal doses and the long-term effectiveness of blackcurrants. 

“Nonetheless, incorporating them into a balanced diet is a low-risk option with potential benefits. Future studies would help confirm whether blackcurrant can be an effective and accessible option to mitigate bone loss, not just in menopause, but possibly in aging populations more broadly.”

 To read the study, Blackcurrants shape gut microbiota profile and reduce risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis via the gut-bone axis: Evidence from a pilot randomized controlled trial, click here.