Guest Post

Doctor Says Potent Berry Supplement is a ‘Perfect Solution’ to Fill Common Nutrient Gap

A natural berry supplement that turns back the heart health clock, aids metabolism and boosts the health benefits of exercise has arrived in the US.

New data^1,2,3,4,5 is showing that as a nation, we should be upping our dietary intake of dark berry polyphenolic compounds, called anthocyanins, which offer significant, clinically-proven health and lifespan benefits.

Over 40 published studies have showcased the impressive benefits of the anthocyanin-rich supplement, CurraNZ – from turning back the clock ten years for heart health in older adults^33-38, improving blood sugar management³² – to muscle recovery^10-13, exercise performance^14-23 and energy metabolism^24-31.

Two recently-published peer-reviewed papers^8,9 evaluating the health and active nutrition data on the phytochemicals in CurraNZ, a supplement made from anthocyanin-rich New Zealand superfruits – blackcurrants – have revealed their multiplicity of health effects.

Dr Kenna Stephenson, MD

Dr Kenna Stephenson, MD, Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and an advisor to CurraNZ – www.curranz.com – describes CurraNZ as a ‘perfect solution’ for Americans looking to source a high-quality, trusted source of anthocyanins to incorporate in their diet.

Dr Kenna Stephenson confidently prescribes CurraNZ to her patients and takes it as part of her own health regimen. She says: “Many of my patients are challenged in finding access to fresh berries as part of a healthy diet, and CurraNZ is a perfect solution. This dietary supplement boosts anthocyanins which help the body in stress recovery and has favorable effects on the cardiovascular system and overall metabolism.”

“CurraNZ has proven potency and is supported by multiple evidence-based research studies. I confidently prescribe this supplement to my patients seeking their greatest potential in aging well and enhancing benefits from physical activity”.

New Zealand blackcurrant anthocyanins are scientifically recognised for their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and blood flow-promoting properties, which are central to good health.

Fewer than 0.1% of Americans have eaten a blackcurrant, but CurraNZ offers a year-round, high-quality supplemental source to fill this concerning, yet common, nutrient gap.

Researcher Mark Willems, Professor of Exercise Physiology from the University of Chichester in England, has authored 40 of the peer-reviewed New Zealand blackcurrant studies that have shone the light on CurraNZ. Professor Willems believes that individuals looking to live a healthier, more active life, should be incorporating dark berry anthocyanins into their diets as an essential ‘daily staple’, because of their array of positive effects.

One capsule of CurraNZ contains 105mg anthocyanin, equivalent to a large handful of New Zealand blackcurrants. Scientific literature demonstrates wide-ranging health and lifestyle benefits for consuming doses in the range of 105mg-315mg anthocyanin (1-3 capsules of CurraNZ).

Professor Willems says: “The normal dietary intake in the US is just 12.5mg of anthocyanin. People are deficient in anthocyanin and not aware of it.

“While there are no guidelines for anthocyanin intake, the evidence is building that we need to eat more fruit, especially berries and vegetables rich in anthocyanin compounds, or incorporate high-value functional foods, through fortification or taking anthocyanin supplements.”

In summary, Dr Stephenson, says: “Every cell is a microcosm, and its functions and intelligence are dynamic. Nurturing our cells with plants through diet and supplements is vital to our well-being, and it is exciting to have this source of New Zealand blackcurrants so richly endowed with anthocyanins available to patients in the USA.

“My preference in caring for patients is to implement diet and lifestyle changes to enhance health, as opposed to prescription drugs and procedures. CurraNZ can support them in their health and activity goals as a natural, food-based adjunct.”

CurraNZ is available from www.curranz.com and Amazon USA, 30 x 300mg (105mg anthocyanin) capsules cost $34.95.

FACT: Anthocyanin consumption rates in the US are amongst the lowest in the Western World, where average reported intake is just 12.5mg/day⁶, compared to 40-60mg in Europe⁷

References

A Review of the Properties of Anthocyanins and Their Influence on Factors Affecting Cardiometabolic and Cognitive Health Nutrients,2021 Aug 18;13(8):2831. doi: 10.3390/nu13082831.
Effects of Anthocyanins on Vascular Health Biomolecules,2021 May 30;11(6):811. doi: 10.3390/biom11060811.
Flavonoid intake and cardiovascular disease mortality: a prospective study in postmenopausal women Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Mar;85(3):895-909. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/85.3.895.
Higher anthocyanin intake is associated with lower arterial stiffness and central blood pressure in women The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 96, Issue 4, October 2012, Pages 781–788, https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.042036
Dietary Phytochemicals: Natural Swords Combating Inflammation and Oxidation-Mediated Degenerative Diseases Oxidative Medicine and Cellular LongevityVolume 2016 |Article ID 5137431 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5137431
Concentrations of Anthocyanins in Common Foods in the United States and Estimation of Normal Consumption, J. Agric. Food Chem. 2006, 54, 4069−4075 4069
Estimation of the intake of anthocyanidins and their food sources in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study, British Journal of Nutrition 2011, doi:10.1017/S0007114511001437
Anthocyanin Rich Supplementation: Emerging Evidence of Strong Potential for Sports and Exercise Nutrition, Review, Willems Et al. Frontiers in Nutrition, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.864323
Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant: Implications for Health, Willems, Mark (2022) Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant: Implications for Health. Agro FOOD Industry Hi Tech, 33 (1). pp. 38-41. ISSN 1722-6996
Short-term blackcurrant extract consumption modulates exercise-induced oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated in-flammatory responses, Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 297:70-81, 2009. First published Apr 29, 2009;
Consumption of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract improves recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in non-resistance trained men and women: A double-blind randomized trial, Nutrients, 2021
Consumption of an Anthocyanin-Rich Extract Made From New Zealand Blackcurrants Prior to Exercise may Assist Recovery from Oxidative Stress and Maintains Circulating Neutrophil Function: A Pilot Study, Frontiers In Nutrition doi: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00073
Daily consumption of NZBCE for five weeks supports recovery through management of Oxidative Stress and inflammation: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Pilot Study. Frontiers in Nutrition doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.00016
Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on performance during the running based anaerobic sprint test in trained youth and recreationally active male football players. Sports 5, 69, 2017. doi:10.3390/sports5030069.
New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Improves High-Intensity Intermittent Running. Perkins, Vine SA, Blacker SD, Willems ME. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2015 Mar 26.
Beneficial Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Maximal Sprint Speed during the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test. Mark ET Willems, Luke Cousins, David Williams and Sam D. Blacker. Sports, Published August 2016, 4(3), 42; doi:10.3390/sports4030042
The effect of New Zealand blackcurrant on sport performance and related biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-Analysis. A. J. Braakhuis1* , V. X. Somerville1 and R. D. Hurst2 Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2020) 17:25 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00354-9
Intra-individual responses to New Zealand blackcurrant extract during high-intensity, intermittent running: A repeat response study. [Abstract], ISENC 2018
Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Sequential Performance Testing in Male Rugby Union Players, P Burnett, M Willems, 2022, Sports https://doi.org/10.3390/sports10100152
New Zealand Blackcurrant Improves Performance and Fat Oxidation in Cyclists, Willems ME, Myers SD, Blacker S, Cook MD. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 June 30.
Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Repeated Cycling Time Trial Performance, Sports, May 2017, 5(2), 25; doi:10.3390/sports5020025
Effects of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on sport climbing performance, European Journal of Applied Physiology Eur J Appl Physiol. 2020 Jan;120(1):67-75. doi: 10.1007/s00421-019-04226-2. Epub 2019 Sep 12.
New Zealand Blackcurrant Improves Performance and Fat Oxidation in Cyclists, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 June 30.
New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances fat oxidation during prolonged cycling in endurance-trained females. Strauss, JA, Willems, MET and Shepherd, SO (2018) European Journal of Applied Physiology. ISSN 1439-6327
Daily and Not Every-Other-Day Intake of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Alters Substrate Oxidation during Moderate-Intensity Walking in Adult Males, Journal of Dietary Supplements, October 2020, https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1841356
Intake Duration of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Affects Metabolic Responses during Moderate Intensity Walking Exercise in Males, June 2020 in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1783421
New Zealand Blackcurrant Improves Performance and Fat Oxidation in Cyclists, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 June 30.
Dose Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant on Substrate Oxidation and Physiological Responses During Prolonged Cycling, Matthew David Cook, Stephen David Myers · Mandy Lucinda Gault · Victoria Charlotte Edwards · Mark Elisabeth Theodorus Willems, Eur J Appl Physiol (April 2017) 117:1207–1216DOI 10.1007/s00421-017-3607-z
Enhanced Walking-Induced Fat Oxidation by New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Is Body Composition-Dependent in Recreationally Active Adult Females Willems, M.E.T.; Banic, M.; Cadden, R.; Barnett, L Nutrients 2022, 14, 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071475
Dietary supplementation with New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances fat oxidation during submaximal exercise in the heat, Ania M. Hiles, Tessa R. Flood, Ben J. Lee,∗, Lucy E.V. Wheeler, Rianne Costello,Ella F. Walker, Kimberly M. Ashdowna, Matthew R. Kuennenc, Mark E.T. Willems, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports, March 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.02.017
Enhanced walking-induced fat oxidation by New Zealand blackcurrant extract is body composition-dependent in recreationally active adult females Mark ET Willems 1,*, Milena Banic, Roseanne Cadden and Lara Barnett Nutrients, April 2022
Short‑term, but not acute, intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves insulin sensitivity and free‑living postprandial glucose excursions in individuals with overweight or obesity, European Journal of Nutrition (2020)
Cardiovascular function during supine rest in endurance‑trained males with New Zealand blackcurrant: a dose–response study, Eur J Appl Physiology DOI 10.1007/s00421-016-3512-x
Effect of Intake Duration of Anthocyanin-rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Cardiovascular Responses and Femoral Artery Diameter during Sustained Submaximal Isometric Contraction, Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2021.1948943
New Zealand Blackcurrant Alters Physiological Reponses and Femoral Artery Diameter during Sustained Isometric Contraction. June 2017 Nutrients 2017, 9(6), 556; doi:10.3390/nu9060556
Beneficial physiological effects with blackcurrant intake in endurance athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2015;25(4):367–74.
Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Supports the Maintenance of Forearm Blood-Flow During Prolonged Sedentary Sitting. 2020;7(May):1–10.
Effects of blackcurrant extract on arterial functions in older adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. T Okamoto, Y Hashimoto, R Kobayashi, K Nakazato, M Willems. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypertension. (2020)