What we learned from the CurraNZ research program in 2024

As we continue to explore the remarkable benefits of CurraNZ — a natural blackcurrant supplement derived from New Zealand’s nutrient-rich blackcurrants — we look back on 2024 as another year of groundbreaking discoveries.

From boosting bone health in menopausal women to improving endurance and providing invaluable GI protection in athletes, the findings from the latest research studies have solidified CurraNZ’s reputation as a powerful, science-backed ergogenic aid and wellness supplement.

Here’s a look at the most exciting insights from the CurraNZ research program this year.

1. CurraNZ and Bone Health: A New Hope for Menopausal Women

In an exciting new study, CurraNZ (1) has shown potential as a natural remedy for preventing bone density loss in menopausal women. Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that high daily doses of New Zealand blackcurrant extract promoted healthy gut bacteria, which plays a critical role in maintaining bone density. After just six months, participants taking the equivalent of 3 capsules/day of CurraNZ experienced significant improvements in bone mineral density. The research also revealed a reduction in harmful proteins linked to bone breakdown, a hallmark of bone density loss. This groundbreaking study highlights the dual impact of CurraNZ—supporting gut health and boosting bone health, two key factors for women in menopause.

2. Gut-Protection and Heat Stress Relief for Runners

CurraNZ isn’t just for endurance athletes; it also plays a role in protecting against gut issues that commonly affect runners. A study (2) into “Runner’s Trots”—the digestive distress experienced during long-distance running—showed that CurraNZ supplementation significantly improved the gut’s resilience to exertional heat stress. Athletes who took CurraNZ for seven days before running in hot conditions saw a reduction in the heat shock response. This means that, when taken before exercise in the heat, CurraNZ can help protect the body from the heat-induced digestive upset and fatigue that many athletes face. Given that traditional heat acclimation strategies are often inaccessible to casual runners, this discovery positions CurraNZ as a practical and effective solution for heat stress management.

3. Ultra-Marathon Performance Boost: CurraNZ Reduces Carb Expenditure

In another exciting study (3), CurraNZ was shown to enhance the performance of ultra-endurance athletes tackling extreme conditions. This case studies focused on participants preparing for the Marathon des Sables, one of the world’s toughest desert races. The findings were striking: CurraNZ supplementation led to a 31% reduction in carbohydrate use and a 21% increase in fat oxidation—the highest-ever recorded reduction in carbohydrate expenditure from any blackcurrant research. These results suggest once again that CurraNZ can improve energy metabolism, allowing athletes to rely less on carbohydrates and more on fat for fuel, thereby improving endurance. Importantly, the findings also indicated improved thermoregulation, with participants experiencing lower core temperatures in the scorching desert heat. For ultra-endurance athletes, these benefits could translate to improved stamina, reduced fatigue, and better overall race performance.

4. Combatting Exercise-Related Fatigue in Ironman Athletes

CurraNZ also showed sensational results in reducing exercise-related fatigue in a highly trained athlete. A case study (4) of an Ironman triathlete revealed that CurraNZ a one-off dose of 4 capsules (1200mg of blackcurrant extract) led to a 40% reduction in fatigue during a four-hour cycling session at competition-level intensity. The athlete’s heart rate and perceived exertion levels were notably lower, suggesting that the berry extract had a direct impact on performance factors, even in an elite athlete. This study is particularly significant because it’s the first to test the effects of CurraNZ in an Ironman athlete close to a major competition, highlighting its potential as a game-changing supplement for reducing fatigue and improving performance in highly trained individuals.

Looking Ahead

These four studies exemplify the growing body of evidence supporting CurraNZ as a multi-faceted supplement that offers benefits across a wide range of health and performance areas—from improving gut and bone health in menopausal women to enhancing endurance in ultra-endurance athletes and reducing fatigue in Ironman competitors.

As more studies unfold in the coming years, we expect CurraNZ to continue making waves in the health and fitness world, proving that the humble blackcurrant is far more than just a tasty berry—it’s a powerful tool for improving health, performance, and recovery.

We look forward to sharing more of these exciting findings with you, with more incredible studies due for publication in early 2025. Stay tuned for future updates as we continue to explore the full potential of this wonder berry.

 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 

2. CurraNZ New Zealand blackcurrant extract modulates the heat shock response in men during exercise in hot ambient conditions. European Journal of Applied Physiology https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05439-w, February 2024

3. Effects of CurraNZ, a New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract, during 1 Hour of Treadmill Running in Female and Male Marathon des Sables Athletes in Hot Conditions: Two Case Studies, Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, May 2024, Willems et al, https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9020076

4. Beneficial physiological and metabolic effects with acute intake of CurraNZ New Zealand blackcurrant extract during 4h of indoor cycling in a male Ironman athlete: A case study,  Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol.2024, 9(3), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9030141