title: New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves cycling performance and fat oxidation in cyclists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Blackcurrant intake increases peripheral blood flow in humans, potentially by anthocyanin-induced vasodilation which may affect substrate delivery and exercise performance. We examined the effects of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract on substrate oxidation, cycling time-trial performance and plasma lactate responses following the time-trial in trained cyclists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 14 healthy men (age: 38 ± 13 years, height: 178 ± 4 cm, body mass: 77 ± 9 kg, VO2max: 53 ± 6 mL kg(-1) min(-1), mean ± SD) ingested NZBC extract (300 mg day(-1) CurraNZ™ containing 105 mg anthocyanin) or placebo (PL, 300 mg microcrystalline cellulose M102) for 7 days (washout 14 days). On day 7, participants performed 30 min of cycling (3 × 10 min at 45, 55 and 65 % VO2max), followed by a 16.1 km time-trial with lactate sampling during a 20-min passive recovery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NZBC extract increased fat oxidation at 65 % VO2max by 27 % (P < 0.05) and improved 16.1 km time-trial performance by 2.4 % (NZBC: 1678 ± 108 s, PL: 1722 ± 131 s, P < 0.05). Plasma lactate was higher with NZBC extract immediately following the time-trial (NZBC: 7.06 ± 1.73 mmol L(-1), PL: 5.92 ± 1.58 mmol L(-1), P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seven-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves 16.1 km cycling time-trial performance and increases fat oxidation during moderate intensity cycling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Chichester, College Lane, Chichester, PO19 6PE, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew David
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Chichester, College Lane, Chichester, PO19 6PE, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen David
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Chichester, College Lane, Chichester, PO19 6PE, UK.
authors.forename: Sam David
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Blacker
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Chichester, College Lane, Chichester, PO19 6PE, UK. m.willems@chi.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Mark Elisabeth Theodorus
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Willems
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031965:Ribes
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: Anthocyanin; Indirect calorimetry; Lactate; New Zealand blackcurrant; Recovery; Sports nutrition; Substrate oxidation; Time-trial