POLYPHENOL COMPOSITION UNIQUE
TO NEW ZEALAND BLACKCURRANTS

New Zealand Blackcurrants, and Just the Berries blackcurrant extract powders contain a very unique structure of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds. This is of particular importance since they have been found to possess powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenging abilities.

The New Zealand government-owned Plant and Foods Institute analyzed the content of flavonoids in Just the Berries’ extract powders, and found that they contain quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol. Of these, myricetin was the most abundant flavonoid in the Just the Berries’ extract powders and juices, and studies have shown that myricetin is surprisingly affected for overall human health.

MYRICETIN HAVE FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ABILITIES

Myricetin exerts a wide variety of biological effects, including antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities, and reports suggest that myricetin may contain anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic properties. Myricetin has been shown to inhibit the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a cytokine that promotes the inflammatory response and is involved in inflammatory diseases. Myricetin glucuronide is an inhibitor of lipoxygenase 5-LOX and cyclooxygenases COX-1 and COX-2.

In addition, myricetin may offer health benefits to people with brain diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer’s. Myricetin inhibits ROS production cause by glutamate and reduces glutamate-induced activation of caspase-3. Studies have shown that myricetin may restore dopamine level in laboratory animals with induced Parkinsonism, and may also inhibit beta-amyloid fibril formation in Alzheimer patients.

Additionally, a significant number of extensive studies conducted by scientists from Tohuku and Hirosald universities have revealed the superior antioxidant activity of blackcurrant polyphenols. They are linking the blackcurrant juice and anthocyanin extracts to a wide range of health benefits including a reduction in tiredness, near-sightedness and eye disease, as well as several benefits related to cerebral performance.

Blackcurrant polyphenols also have demonstrated the ability to improve facial blood flow, which greatly decreases the appearance of under eye circles. Recent studies have shown that skin brightness and rosiness may be improved in as little as 15 minutes after intake of blackcurrant polyphenols. Another study demonstrated how blackcurrant polyphenols could reduce cold sensitivity in the hands or feet of 22 subjects, as well as decreasing shoulder muscle stiffness. Similar to the skin brightness study, these participants found an improvement in cold sensitivity in only 10 minutes after polyphenol intake.