Blackcurrant study shows promise for prevention of bone density loss

Blackcurrant study shows promise for prevention of bone density loss

Blackcurrant supplements could offer a promising natural approach to preventing bone density loss in menopausal women, according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry1.

As we age, bones lose density and become more fragile, putting us in danger of breaks and fractures.

 

Osteoporosis particularly affects women in the menopause transition due to falling estrogen levels.

But results from a New Zealand blackcurrant extract clinical trial is exciting experts, suggesting the superfruit could help protect against this life-limiting condition, which is responsible for as many deaths from fracture-related causes as from Type 2 Diabetes and lung cancer2.

Regarded a ‘national health emergency’ by the British Royal Osteoporosis Society, there is a limited model of medical care for the disease, so effective interventions for women are urgently needed.

Researchers from the University of Connecticut found that high daily doses of New Zealand blackcurrant extract promoted beneficial gut bacteria that help maintain bone density, reduced inflammation and controlled specific molecules that promote bone breakdown.

The clinical trial, , tested low (392mg) or high (784mg) doses of New Zealand blackcurrant extract a day, or a placebo, on 40 peri- and early post-menopausal participants aged 45 to 60.

Those taking the high dose (equivalent to 3.3 capsules of CurraNZ) showed significant improvements in bone mineral density after just six months. The women exhibited a reduction in harmful proteins associated with bone resorption, a key factor in the development of osteoporosis.

This study demonstrated blackcurrant’s significant influence on beneficial gut flora balance and immune response, both of which play vital roles in bone health.

The blackcurrant supplement increased several species of beneficial bacteria, including Ruminococcus 2, a key strain of bacteria that helps maintain bone density.  

CurraNZ is well researched for its sports and health properties, from muscle recovery8 to fat burning(9-21), making it ideal for women undertaking weight-bearing exercise for bone health and seeking weight management support during menopause. 

 

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 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109701
  2. Royal Osteoporosis Society Report, July 2022
  3. Berry polyphenols and human health: evidence of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, microbiota modulation, and cell-protecting effects
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2021.06.003
  4. Blackcurrant Supplementation Improves Trabecular Bone Mass in Young but Not Aged Mice. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1671. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111671
  5. Anthocyanin-Rich Blackcurrant Extract Attenuates Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Mice. J. Med. Food 2016, 19, 390–397. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2015.0148
  6. The ability of blackcurrant extracts to positively modulate key markers of gastrointestinal function in rats. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2010;26:1735–1743. doi: 10.1007/s11274-010-0352-4.
  7. BC anthocyanins improve lipid metabolism and modulate gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, 2021  https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202001090
  8. 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 2021 Aug 21;13(8):2875.doi: 10.3390/nu13082875.
  9. New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances fat oxidation during prolonged cycling in endurance-trained females. European Journal of Applied Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3858-3
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. New Zealand Blackcurrant Improves Performance and Fat Oxidation in Cyclists, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 J European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 June 30. DOI 10.1007/s00421-015-3215-8
  13. Dose Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant on Substrate Oxidation and Physiological Responses During Prolonged Cycling, Eur J Appl Physiol (April 2017) 117:1207–1216DOI 10.1007/s00421-017-3607-z
  14. Enhanced Walking-Induced Fat Oxidation by New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Is Body Composition-Dependent in Recreationally Active Adult Females Nutrients 2022, 14, 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071475
  15. Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Physiological Responses at Rest and during Brisk Walking in Southeast Asian Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study. Nutrients 2018, 10(11), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111732
  16. Dietary supplementation with New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances fat oxidation during submaximal exercise in the heat, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports, March 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.02.017
  17. Enhanced walking-induced fat oxidation by New Zealand blackcurrant extract is body composition-dependent in recreationally active adult females, Nutrients, April 2022 https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071475
  18. Running-induced metabolic and physiological responses by New Zealand blackcurrant extract in a male ultra-endurance runner: A case study J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2022, 7, 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk7040104
  19. New Zealand Blackcurrant Increases Post-Exercise Hypotension Following Sustained Moderate Intensity Exercise, Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2023 Jul 6;33(5):282-290. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0014
  20. Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Cycling Performance and Substrate Oxidation in Normobaric Hypoxia in Trained Cyclists. Sports 2019, 7(3), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7030067
  21. Two weeks daily intake of anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances whole-body fat oxidation during supine rest in healthy males, Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals 2023; 2(8): 30-40. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.31989/dsn.v2i8.112