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(Poly)phenols in Exercise Performance and Recovery
Published in James N. Cobley, Gareth W. Davison, Oxidative Eustress in Exercise Physiology, 2022
Blackcurrant is another phytochemical-rich fruit that has been investigated for its ergogenic effects. Blackcurrant contains various anthocyanins and phenolic acids and is thought to mediate its ergogenic effects by modulating blood flow (Cook and Willems, 2019), increasing fat oxidation (Hiles et al., 2020), and attenuating oxidative stress (herein used to indicate oxidative damage to macromolecules) (Hurst et al., 2020). In controlled trials, blackcurrant supplementation has consistently been shown to enhance exercise performance. For example, Cook et al. (2015) found that a 7-day intake of anthocyanin-rich black currant extracts (300 mg) improved 16.1 Km cycling time trial performance by ~2.4% compared to a placebo. Using the same intervention, Perkins et al. (2015) reported a staggering 11% increase in distance covered by recreationally active males during 16 × 19 second sprints on a treadmill. A 7–10-day intake of anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant supplements has also been shown to enhance 4 km cycling performance (Murphy, Cook and Willems, 2017), intermittent running performance (Willems et al., 2016; Godwin, Cook and Willems, 2017) and sport climbing performance (Potter et al., 2020). Accordingly, ample evidence suggests blackcurrant intake enhances performance in a variety of exercise tasks and populations. However, the underlying mechanisms were rarely considered and remain ambiguous.
Effect of Intake Duration of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Cardiovascular Responses and Femoral Artery Diameter during Sustained Submaximal Isometric Contraction
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2023
Matthew David Cook, Aaron Dunne, Michael Bosworth, Mark Elisabeth Theodorus Willems
Other studies have also reported potential beneficial cardiovascular responses to blackcurrant extract intake. For example, 7-days intake of NZBC extract has been shown to increase muscle oxidative capacity by a 37% reduction in oxygen half time recovery in the flexor digitorum profundus following an occlusion of the brachial artery by pressured tourniquet in advanced and elite male rock climbers (Fryer et al, In press). Similarly, Fryer et al. (2020) demonstrated in rock climbers that the time to half recovery of tissue saturation index was faster with 7-days intake of NZBC extract (NZBC: 26 ± 17, PLA: 42 ± 26 s) following an intermittent isometric contraction protocol at 40%MVC for 10 s with 3 s passive recovery. There was also no difference in brachial artery flow, artery diameter or artery velocity in the three minutes of recovery.
Plasma uptake of selected phenolic acids following New Zealand blackcurrant extract supplementation in humans
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2022
Rianne Costello, Karen M. Keane, Ben J. Lee, Mark E. T. Willems, Stephen D. Myers, Fiona Myers, Nathan A. Lewis, Sam D. Blacker
Blackcurrant is a rich source of anthocyanins; however, the anthocyanin content can vary depending on the berry fruits specific cultivar, cultivation site, temperature exposure, processing, storage and ripeness (Chalker-Scott 2008; Del Rio et al. 2010; Mikulic-Petkovsek et al. 2017). The distinct purple color of blackcurrants is due to the high levels of anthocyanins, which are glycosides generated from anthocyanidins and are the pigments often responsible also for the orange, red, and blue colors in fruits, vegetables, flowers and other storage tissues in plants (Blando et al. 2004). Native cultivars of blackcurrants grown in New Zealand reportedly have a higher anthocyanin content than European cultivars grown in North America (Moyer et al. 2002; Schrage et al. 2010). For example, juice from the New Zealand cultivar, Ben Rua, containing 477mg⋅100mL−1 anthocyanin compared to juice from the non-New Zealand cultivar, Ojebyn, contained 179mg⋅100mL−1 anthocyanin (Moyer et al. 2002; Schrage et al. 2010).
The impact of blackcurrant juice on attention, mood and brain wave spectral activity in young healthy volunteers
Published in Nutritional Neuroscience, 2019
A. W. Watson, E. J. Okello, H. J. Brooker, S. Lester, G. J. McDougall, K. A. Wesnes
Blackcurrants, Ribes nigrum L., (Family: Grossulariaceae) are a berry fruit native to Europe and Northern Asia which are rich in polyphenols with the major constituents being anthocyanins.24 Data from randomized controlled trials highlight the potential of blackcurrants to modulate physiological parameters which could influence human behaviour. These include changes to blood flow,25 modulations of peripheral dopaminergic tone21 and modulations in post prandial blood glucose profiles.21,26 Watson et al.,21 showed that acute consumption of a blackcurrant juice standardized at 500 mg per 60 kg body weight improved sustained attention and psychomotor speed in healthy young adults as indicated by improvements in reaction times during a digit vigilance task. These effects upon sustained attention could indicate a potential modulation of neuronal activity within the frontal cortex.27