Scientific studies worldwide underpin the evidence of the plant components found in blackcurrants. The CurraNZ research program is uncovering how NZ blackcurrant extract has significant potential performance and recovery benefits for athletes.
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Beneficial Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Maximal Sprint Speed during the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test
Published: August, 2016, Special Issue: Sport Nutrition for Health and Performance
Synopsis
Study assessed whether NZBC could help athletes maintain the performance of repeated maximal sprints in field sports, especially in latter stages of game
Eight of 13 participants had higher running times to exhaustion after consuming CurraNZ
Those participants who increased time to exhaustion did so by on average 15%
NZBC intake allowed for better maintenance of the fastest sprint time during LIST
Participants tolerated higher heart rate values and ran for longer at higher intensity
Particpants showed reduced slowing of the fastest sprints at exhaustive stages
Willems, Mark E. T. , Myers, Stephen D. , Cook, M. D. and Gault, Mandy L. (2014) In: Annual International Society of Sports Nutrition Conference and Expo, 20-21 June 2014, Clearwater Beach, FL, USA. (In Press)
Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant on resting cardiovascular function in triathletes.
Synopsis
Increased stroke volume by 25%
Increased cardiac output by 26%
Decreased peripheral resistance by 16%
Conclusion: NZ blackcurrant may support recovery strategies for sports performance
Willems, Mark E. T. , Myers, Stephen D. , Cook, M. D. and Gault, Mandy L. (2014) In: Annual International Society of Sports Nutrition Conference and Expo, 20-21 June 2014, Clearwater Beach, FL, USA. (In Press)
Blackcurrants endothelium Dependent Vasorelaxtion Induced by Blackcurrant Concentrate in Rat Thoracic
Synopsis
Induces vasorelasation via increased levels of nitric oxide
Willems, Mark E. T. , Myers, Stephen D. , Cook, M. D., Edwards, Victoria and Gault, Mandy L. (2015) In: International Sport + Exercise Nutrition Conference, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK (In Press)
Polyphenolic phytochemicals – just antioxidants or much more?
Synopsis
Protects cells from oxidative stress, which leads to intracellular imbalanced DNA lesions (thus inhibiting DNA damage)
Polyphenols reduce oxidative stress by antioxidant enzymes
Polyphenols act as inflammatory modulatory agents by inhibiting the inflammatory signalling cascades
Increases the cells' ability to scavenge ROS* produced in inflammatory processes.
