Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant)
Also known as: blackcurrant extract, New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC), cassis polysaccharide (CAPS), blackcurrant powder
Randomized controlled trials report that short-term (7 days) and longer (up to 3 months) blackcurrant preparations can modestly improve exercise endurance measures, alter cardiovascular responses (including larger postexercise systolic blood pressure reductions and changes in resting stroke volume/cardiac output), and, in one small trial, improve functional capacity and quality of life in previously sedentary older women when combined with increased habitual activity. A small older trial of a blackcurrant polysaccharide reported attenuated symptom worsening in seasonal rhinitis but no clear symptom differences in daily diaries.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 5 indexed studies
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Overview
Blackcurrant-derived anthocyanin preparations have been tested in short-term and multiweek human trials for effects on exercise performance, postexercise blood pressure responses, functional capacity in older adults and symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Trials used whole-powder products, standardized extracts and a blackcurrant-derived polysaccharide, with variable durations from 7 days to 3 months.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Anthocyanins and other blackcurrant constituents have been associated with altered vascular responses and peripheral blood flow in the clinical trials provided, which could plausibly affect lactate handling, oxygen delivery and postexercise blood pressure. The exact active components and metabolic mediators were not fully characterised in the cited trials.
Physiological Role
Modulation of peripheral vascular function and factors related to exercise metabolism (lactate production/clearance) as observed in the trials; potential immunomodulatory effects suggested by the polysaccharide study but not confirmed.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
Evidence from RCTs in trained and recreational athletes indicates potential for modest improvements in endurance-type performance and altered cardiovascular responses that may benefit recovery and sustained exercise. Effects appear modest and protocol-dependent.
Evidence Review
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- 400 mg blackcurrant extract (used in an RCT in older women) or 600 mg/day NZBC extract (providing 210 mg anthocyanins) have shown effects in trials; 6 g/day blackcurrant powder was used in endurance athletes.
- Optimal Range
- Not established; clinical trials used 400 mg extract, 600 mg extract (210 mg anthocyanins) and 6 g/day powder over durations from 7 days to 3 months.
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established
- Timing
- Daily dosing over 7 days or longer was used in the trials; one trial combined supplementation with increased habitual activity.
- Best Format
- Standardised blackcurrant extract or whole-fruit powder as used in trials; a polysaccharide fraction was the active form in one trial of allergic rhinitis.
- Bioavailability
- Trials used whole-powder and extract formats; anthocyanin metabolites are likely pharmacologically relevant but individual bioavailability was not reported in the provided abstracts.
- Absorption Considerations
- Not reported in the provided trials.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •No specific adverse events reported in the provided abstracts; individual tolerance not fully characterised.
Contraindications
- Not reported in provided abstracts.
Drug Interactions
- •Not reported in provided abstracts.
Who Should Avoid
- •Not specified in the provided trials; safety in pregnancy, breastfeeding and severe medical conditions was not addressed in the supplied abstracts.
Monitoring
Clinical monitoring was not described in the provided abstracts; consider standard caution when combining with medications affecting blood pressure or coagulation due to vascular effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant) typically used or indicated?
Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant) is most commonly used for: Support for exercise performance/endurance, Support for peripheral blood flow and cardiovascular responses, Support for functional capacity and quality of life in older adults, Symptom relief in seasonal allergic rhinitis (small study). Modulation of peripheral vascular function and factors related to exercise metabolism (lactate production/clearance) as observed in the trials; potential immunomodulatory effects suggested by the polysaccharide study but not confirmed.
How does Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant) work?
Anthocyanins and other blackcurrant constituents have been associated with altered vascular responses and peripheral blood flow in the clinical trials provided, which could plausibly affect lactate handling, oxygen delivery and postexercise blood pressure. The exact active components and metabolic mediators were not fully characterised in the cited trials.
What is the recommended dose of Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant)?
The optimal range is Not established; clinical trials used 400 mg extract, 600 mg extract (210 mg anthocyanins) and 6 g/day powder over durations from 7 days to 3 months.. with a minimum effective dose of 400 mg blackcurrant extract (used in an RCT in older women) or 600 mg/day NZBC extract (providing 210 mg anthocyanins) have shown effects in trials; 6 g/day blackcurrant powder was used in endurance athletes.. Best taken: Daily dosing over 7 days or longer was used in the trials; one trial combined supplementation with increased habitual activity.. Upper / caution level: Not established.
What are the side effects of Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant)?
Reported side effects include: No specific adverse events reported in the provided abstracts; individual tolerance not fully characterised.. Monitoring: Clinical monitoring was not described in the provided abstracts; consider standard caution when combining with medications affecting blood pressure or coagulation due to vascular effects.
Does Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant) interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: Not reported in provided abstracts.. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant)?
Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant) is generally not recommended for: Not specified in the provided trials; safety in pregnancy, breastfeeding and severe medical conditions was not addressed in the supplied abstracts.; and Not reported in provided abstracts..
How strong is the evidence for Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant)?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 72/100), based on 5 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (5)
Blackcurrant Supplementation and Habitual Physical Activity Enhance Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Previously Sedentary Older Women.
Randomized controlled trial in sedentary older women testing 400 mg blackcurrant extract (two capsules daily) versus placebo with increased habitual activity, assessed after one week and three months.
New Zealand Blackcurrant Increases Postexercise Hypotension Following Sustained Moderate-Intensity Exercise.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial after 7-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) assessing postexercise blood pressure and heart rate variability in physically active adults.
Beneficial Physiological Effects With Blackcurrant Intake in Endurance Athletes.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial in trained triathletes testing 7 days of New Zealand blackcurrant powder (6 g/day) on lactate curve, VO2max and cardiovascular responses.
Effects of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on sport climbing performance.
Double-blind, randomized, crossover trial in male sport climbers testing 7 days NZBC extract (600 mg/day providing 210 mg anthocyanins) versus placebo on climbing performance.
Effects of polysaccharide derived from black currant on relieving clinical symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a cassis polysaccharide (CAPS) derived from blackcurrant for Japanese cedar pollinosis symptoms.
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Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
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Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/anthocyanins-blackcurrant
SuppIndex. (2026). Anthocyanins (Blackcurrant): Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/anthocyanins-blackcurrant
Based on 5 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Trials administered blackcurrant preparations alone; compatibility with other performance or cardiovascular agents was not tested in the provided studies.