Blackcurrant standing out from the crowd for its reliable performance-boosting effects

In this new study, British research investigated whether individuals would experience a variation of responses to blackcurrant extract, which is common with most sports supplements.

The findings showed that CurraNZ can consistently enhance running performance on repeated occasions after using the supplement for a week.

Sixteen active males performed a high-intensity, intermittent treadmill running test following seven days intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract (600mg) or placebo across five testing sessions.

The findings showed:

• 38% of participants were consistently high responders up to 37.8%
• Six of the 16 subjects improved their total distance from 8.3% up to 37.8% across both blackcurrant trials
• Nine participants improved their total distance a minimum of 7.9% in at least one trial
• Blackcurrant responders improved their average total running distance by 262m-394m
• Blackcurrant responders improved their average sprint distance by 116m-265m

The study included periods of at least two weeks of washout, in which subjects did not use the supplement, before re-taking CurraNZ for a week and again showing enhanced performance outcomes, with high responders in 38% of individuals.

'It was clear that if you were a 25% responder once, you were twice, which is considerable'

Mark Willems, Professor of Sports and Exercise Physiology at the University of Chichester, (pictured right) says: “The main focus of these findings is that there are consistent high responders to blackcurrant. Having over one in three participants not only respond, but respond very highly is a really good message.

“It also became clear from this study that if you were a 10% or 25% responder once, you were twice, which is considerable.”

The outcome suggests that blackcurrant is effective for individuals looking to consistently and repeatedly improve their performance in sports characterised by high-intensity intermittent running.