New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Boosts Strength and Cognition in New Study

Short-term supplementation with New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract can improve specific metrics of resistance exercise performance and cognitive function in resistance-trained adults.¹ Published in Nutrients, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study examined the effect of a seven-day dosing regimen on both upper- and lower-body strength, total lifting volume, and executive mental focus. These findings offer practical development pathways for sports nutrition and active nutrition manufacturers aiming to target the strength and power consumer demographics.

As noted in the study, the polyphenol-rich New Zealand blackcurrant has been researched for its improvement of “high-intensity intermittent running, cycling time-trial performance, repeated cycling efforts, and fat oxidation during exercise.”

Strategic Dosing and Physiological Outcomes

The research investigated twenty resistance-trained adults across four distinct weekly protocols: a no-capsule control (CON), a placebo (PL), a low-dose condition (LDBC; 250 mg·day⁻¹), and a high-dose condition (HDBC; 600 mg·day⁻¹).

The data revealed that short-term consumption of NZBC extract yields quantifiable improvements in specific performance parameters, though these effects are dependent on the dosing protocol.

Both the low and high doses of NZBC extract increased bench press one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength compared to control and placebo baselines.

• The low-dose intervention led to an increase of 3.33 kg relative to the control group
• The high-dose protocol resulted in a 2.34 kg increase

Lower-body improvements were more pronounced under the low-dose protocol.

• Leg press 1RM increased by 37.2 kg with the low dose and by 25.8 kg with the high dose compared to the control condition
• The total lifting volume for the leg press rose by 2627 kg under low-dose conditions and by 1025 kg with the high dose versus control

Bench press total lifting volume showed no significant overall treatment effects.

Velocity, Power, and Cognitive Function

While anaerobic capacity assessed via a Wingate cycling sprint remained unaffected across all testing conditions, the high-dose intervention preferentially influenced barbell power. High-dose NZBC supplementation significantly exceeded the placebo group in peak power by 79.5 Watts and mean power by 46.2 Watts, as measured via a Tendo linear position transducer.

Cognitive tracking using the Stroop task highlighted distinct neurocognitive advantages. The low-dose regimen yielded superior results over the placebo for Stroop Color, Color–Word, and total scores. Conversely, the high-dose protocol only outpaced the placebo group on the isolated Color–Word section. Hemodynamic profiles and adverse events remained uniform and stable across all evaluated test groups.

Limitations to the research include a homogenous cohort, a lack of direct biomarker mechanisms, and self-reported daily nutrition, along with a small sample size and short dosing window.

What Are the Implications for Ingredient Formulation?

For nutraceutical manufacturers, this research points to the potential expansion of anthocyanin-rich botanical extracts into the pre-workout and active nutrition sectors. While prior studies focused primarily on endurance outcomes like oxygen kinetics or fat oxidation, these data suggest that a brief one-week loading phase may support acute anaerobic strength and neurological readiness.

What Does Prior Research on New Zealand Blackcurrant Say?

Further denoting the ingredient's physiological versatility, a 2023 study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism demonstrated that short-term supplementation with a proprietary New Zealand blackcurrant extract amplifies postexercise hypotension.

In the double-blind, randomized cross-over trial, physically active individuals consumed either the extract or a placebo for seven days prior to completing an hour of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise. During the subsequent two-hour resting period, participants who took the blackcurrant extract experienced a clinically significant 5.6 mmHg greater reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to the placebo group.

References

1. Koozehchian MS, Bonness FM, Rafajlovska R, Horton SN, Mabrey G, Naderi A, Newton AT. Effects of Short-Term Low- and High-Dose New Zealand Blackcurrant Supplementation on Exercise and Cognitive Performance in Resistance-Trained Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study. Nutrients. 2026; 18(12):1929. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121929
2. Shan Y, Cook MD. New Zealand Blackcurrant Increases Postexercise HypotensionFollowing Sustained Moderate-Intensity Exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2023;33(5): 282–290. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0014