Do you sit for long periods? Here's how blackcurrant can help maintain healthy circulation

IF you spend a lot of time sitting down, then blackcurrants are nature's power packs for helping blood flow and supporting cardiovascular function, thanks to their rich levels of anthocyanin.

Anthocyanin helps protect artery walls and keep blood vessels flexible, and trigger an enzyme called nitric oxide that widens blood vessels and regulates cardiac function.

Two new studies are showing how short-term and one-off doses can deliver benefits, particularly for sedentary individuals and the elderly.

A ‘real world’ example emerged in a recent study where just one dose of New Zealand blackcurrant extract prevented blood pooling in the limbs and maintained blood flow during two hours of prolonged sitting¹.

Inactivity and sitting for long periods induce constriction of blood vessels and arteries, which reduces circulation in the extremities and can lead to issues such as blood clots.

The latest CurraNZ study on arterial stiffness² further adds to the picture, showing how longer use helps to keep arteries and blood vessels young, while contributing to healthy blood pressure, too.

Scientists measured the effect of two capsules a day for a week in older adults aged 65 and over and were surprised at the speed of change observed in their subjects.

These studies show how blackcurrant may provide health benefits to those with restricted movement of their lower limbs, which occurs during long-haul air travel, sedentary work, or those with decreased mobility due to illness and disease.

References

1. Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Supports the Maintenance of Forearm Blood-Flow During Prolonged Sedentary Sitting, Frontiers In Nutrition,  DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2020.1764015. M Barnes, B Perry, R Hurst, D Lomiwes. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.00074

2. Effects of blackcurrant extract on arterial functions in older adults: A randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, May 2020. T Okamoto, Y Hashimoto, R Kobayashi, K Nakazato, M Willems. DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2020.1764015

*Always tell your doctor if you are using natural supplements with medicine