Doctor says superfood fruit can cut serious menopause symptom

GP says research into the use of the fruit has shown 'promising' results which show it could help women who are going through the menopause

As women go through the menopause it can bring a number of health issues with it. These can include everything from hot flushes to more serious bone problems.

Now a new study has shown Blackcurrant supplements, such as CurraNZ, could offer a natural approach to helping to ease osteoporosis issues in menopausal women. 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. According to the Royal Osteoporosis Society half of women over 50 will suffer fractures because of osteoporosis, and a fifth of men.

Fractures are the fourth worst cause of disability and premature death, and the second biggest filler of hospital beds. Regarded a ‘national health emergency’ by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, there is currently a limited model of medical care for the disease, so effective interventions for women are urgently needed.

Now results from a New Zealand blackcurrant extract clinical trial suggest the superfruit could help protect against the condition. 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, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 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 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. British researcher Dr Julie Hunt, an academic at the University of Surrey’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, says the results confirm blackcurrant’s exciting potential for adult bone health, with broader implications for adult populations.

Dr Hunt says, “Blackcurrant shows promising potential, particularly for women in the menopause transition. For women in this stage, incorporating blackcurrants into their diet could be a proactive step toward reducing the risk of bone loss.

"The study showed an increase in bone density and suggested blackcurrants could help with both bone formation and reducing bone breakdown. Therefore, it might serve as a natural preventive strategy. Given that many existing treatments for bone loss involve pharmaceuticals with potential side effects, blackcurrants offer a more natural approach that could appeal to those seeking alternatives or preventive measures.”

GP, Dr Nisa Aslam notes further: “It’s worth highlighting that it would be challenging to consume the necessary amount of blackcurrants naturally to match the levels used in the study. The high-dose group, which showed significant improvements in bone density, consumed the equivalent of about 284 fresh blackcurrants per day, or two capsules with 392 mg of blackcurrant extract.

"CurraNZ which is backed by clinical science, with over 50+ research papers, provides a more feasible option for delivering the necessary doses of anthocyanins to support bone health. Overall, while the findings are promising, it's essential to keep in mind that further research is needed to confirm optimal doses and the long-term effectiveness of blackcurrants.

"Nonetheless, incorporating them into a balanced like the CurraNZ supplement provides potential health benefits. Future studies would help confirm whether blackcurrants can be an effective and accessible option to mitigate bone loss, not just in menopause, but possibly in ageing populations more broadly.”

CurraNZ Original is made from polyphenol-rich New Zealand blackcurrant extract and the subject of over 50 published human trials. Blackcurrants are a rich source of polyphenols and plant fibres which feed good gut microbiome and suppress harmful bacteria.

Berries are beneficial for a healthy gut, with blackcurrants containing the highest levels of polyphenols, called anthocyanins, of any fruit. These compounds have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and as a result, are considered a ‘superfood’.

British consumers can get New Zealand blackcurrant extract in the UK with CurraNZ Original, a high-potency, standardised extract containing 105mg of anthocyanin per 300mg capsule. Just over three capsules of CurraNZ Original daily would deliver the equivalent amount of blackcurrant actives used in the study.

CurraNZ is well researched for its sports and health properties, from muscle recovery to fat burning, making it ideal for women undertaking weight-bearing exercise for bone health and seeking weight management support during menopause. People can get 30 capsules for £23.99 and available from curranz.com and Amazon.