Beneficial Effects on Fasting Insulin and Postprandial Responses Through 7-day Intake of New Zealand Blackcurrant Powder

Background: Blood glucose and insulin are elevated after intake of carbohydrate, with levels returning to normal in about 2-3 hours after ingestion. We examined the effects of daily New Zealand blackcurrant intake over 7 days on fasting glucose and insulin levels and the responses of glucose and insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test (i.e. OGTT). Methods: Seventeen healthy participants (9 males, 8 females, age: 24±8 years, body mass: 75.4±16.4 kg, height 172±11 cm, body mass index: 25.3±3.3) consumed 6 g·day-1 New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) powder for 7 days. Every 6 g of the serving contained 138.6 mg anthocyanins, 49 mg vitamin C, and 5.2 g of carbohydrates with total phenolic content 271.6 mg. A cross-over design was used. Participants completed one OGTT before starting the supplementation (day 0) and another OGTT after 7 days of the supplementation (day 7). For the OGTT, participants were seated and consumed 75 g of glucose dissolved in 250 mL water. Finger prick capillary samples were taken before and every 30 minutes for a total of 120 minutes after consuming the glucose drink. Following duplicate glucose analysis, blood samples were centrifuged and then plasma was separated and frozen (-20°C) for triplicate insulin analysis using a human 96-well insulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IBL international, Hamburg, Germany). Results: NZBC had no effect on fasting glucose (control: 4.46±0.45; NZBC: 4.41±0.44 mmol·L1, P=0.657), although there was a trend for fasting insulin to be 14.3% lower (control: 66.5±28.2; NZBC: 57.0±29.5 pmol·L-1) (P=0.091). HOMA-IR was not different between the control and NZBC (1.81±0.73 vs 1.58±0.83) (P=0.126). With NZBC during the OGTT, plasma glucose at 60 min was 8.1% lower (control: 6.68±1.13; NZBC: 6.14±1.41 mmol·L-1; P=0.016), insulin at 30 min was 18.4% lower (control: 337.1±228.3; NZBC: 275.0±136.4 pmol·L-1; P= 0.021), and insulin at 60 min was 39.2% lower (control: 297.8±154.3; NZBC: 181.2±97.4 pmol·L-1; P= 0.002). With NZBC during the OGTTs, areas-under-the-curve for plasma glucose (control: 752.6±79.4, NZBC: 709.8±93.3 mmol·L-1·120 min) and insulin (control: 28443±12816, NZBC: 20406±7985, pmol·L-1·120 min) were 5.7% (P=0.051) and 31.1% lower (P<0.001) respectively. Conclusion: A trend for lower fasting insulin with normal glucose and lower areas under the curve for glucose and insulin suggests that repeated intake of New Zealand blackcurrant powder increases insulin sensitivity. This is the first observation of a high-anthocyanin containing berry powder to increase insulin sensitivity. Regular intake of New Zealand blackcurrant powder may be beneficial for the postprandial responses in people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome

The effect of New Zealand blackcurrant supplementation on recovery from muscle damage induced by drop jumps

New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) is a rich source of anthocyanins, which improve blood flow and display anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may improve recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Limited evidence is available as to whether anthocyanin supplements can aid recovery in the days following muscle damaging exercise. The aim of this study was to examine if NZBC extract improves recovery following muscle damaging exercise. Following a double-blind, repeated crossover design, 12 recreationally active males (mean±SD: age 29±6 years, stature 1.80±0.07 m, body mass 78.0±10.7 kg, Σ of 4 skinfolds 35.65± 12.30 mm, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) baseline 497± 120 N) ingested either 2 x 300 mg·day−1 capsules with a NZBC extract (CurraNZ™; each containing 105 mg anthocyanin) or a visually matched placebo (PLA) 7-days prior and 3-days after completing a 100-drop jump protocol (100-DJP). Measures of MVIC, electrically stimulated (ES) contractions, countermovement jumps (CMJ), perceived muscle soreness (visual analogue scale), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) were made pre- (baseline), immediately-, 24-, 48- and 72 h-post the 100-DJP. MVIC, ES, CMJ and muscle soreness variables were analysed using a mixed model ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. MVIC peak force was reduced immediately-post 100-DJP, compared to baseline (NZBC: 90±10; PLA: 93±11 %; P = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.320), but returned to baseline at 24 h with no difference between groups (P = 0.940). ES doublet peak force was reduced compared to baseline immediately- 24-, 48- and 72 h-post (P 0.05). In conclusion, the NZBC extract did not accelerate recovery of MVIC or ES doublet peak force, perceptions of muscle soreness or inflammation following muscle damaging exercise in recreationally active males and large inter-individual variation in responses were present

Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Substrate Oxidation and Cycling Performance in Normobaric Hypoxia

Blackcurrant is high in anthocyanin content. We have shown enhanced whole-body fat oxidation and increased time trial performance during cycling, in addition to increased femoral artery diameter during a sustained submaximal isometric contraction of the m.quadriceps with intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract in normobaric normoxia (Cook et al., 2015, 2017). The effect of blackcurrant on metabolic and physiological responses and performance during cycling in normobaric hypoxia are not known. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of NZBC extract on intensity-dependent physiological and metabolic responses and 16.1-km cycling time trial in trained cyclists in normobaric hypoxia. METHODS: The study used a double-blind randomized cross-over design. Eleven healthy men from cycling and triathlon clubs with at least 3 yrs experience and cycling 8-10 hr·wk−1 (age: 38±11 yrs, height: 179±4 cm, body mass: 76±8 kg, V̇O2max: 47±5 mL·kg−1·min−1, maximum power: 398±38 W, mean±SD) ingested NZBC extract (600 mg·day−1 containing 220 mg anthocyanins) or placebo (PL) for 7 days (washout 14 days). Participants performed bouts of 10 min at 45, 55 and 65% V̇O2max, using indirect calorimetry and blood sampling, followed by a 16.1 km timetrial on a SRM ergometer (SRM International, Germany). Participants were familiarized for the time-trial. All testing took place in a temperature controlled (15°C) normobaric hypoxic chamber set at an altitude of ~2500 m (15% FiO2) (TIS Services, Medstead, UK) in morning sessions. Data was analysed using paired t-tests. RESULTS: At each intensity, NZBC extract had no effect on metabolic and physiological responses (e.g. at 65% V̇O2max, heart rate - PL: 133±12, NZBC; 132±12 beats·min-1); fat oxidation - PL: 0.24±0.12, NZBC: 0.20±0.16 g·min-1; carbohydrate oxidation - PL: 2.34±0.42, NZBC: 2.48±0.35 g·min-1; lactate - PL: 1.37±0.45, NZBC: 1.56±0.57 mmol·L-1). No improvements in 16.1 km time-trial performance were observed (PL: 1685±92, NZBC: 1685±99 sec). CONCLUSION: Seven day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract does not change whole-body fat oxidation and 16.1 km time-trial performance during cycling in normobaric hypoxia

Insulated skin temperature as a measure of core body temperature for individuals wearing CBRN protective clothing

This study assessed the validity of insulated skin temperature (Tis) to predict rectal temperature (Tre) for use as a non-invasive measurement of thermal strain to reduce the risk of heat illness for emergency service personnel. Volunteers from the Police, Fire and Rescue, and Ambulance Services performed rolerelated tasks in hot (30 ◦C) and neutral (18 ◦C) conditions, wearing service specific personal protective equipment. Insulated skin temperature and micro climate temperature (Tmc) predicted Tre with an adjusted r2 = 0.87 and standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 0.19 ◦C. A bootstrap validation of the equation resulted in an adjusted r2 = 0.85 and SEE = 0.20 ◦C. Taking into account the 0.20 ◦C error, the prediction of Tre resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91%, respectively. Insulated skin temperature and Tmc can be used in a model to predict Tre in emergency service personnel wearing CBRN protective clothing with an SEE of 0.2 ◦C. However, the model is only valid for Tis over 36.5 ◦C, above which thermal stability is reached between the core and the skin

Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17 : analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), one in ten deaths in children younger than 5 years is attributable to diarrhoea. The substantial between-country variation in both diarrhoea incidence and mortality is attributable to interventions that protect children, prevent infection, and treat disease. Identifying subnational regions with the highest burden and mapping associated risk factors can aid in reducing preventable childhood diarrhoea. Methods We used Bayesian model-based geostatistics and a geolocated dataset comprising 15 072 746 children younger than 5 years from 466 surveys in 94 LMICs, in combination with findings of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, to estimate posterior distributions of diarrhoea prevalence, incidence, and mortality from 2000 to 2017. From these data, we estimated the burden of diarrhoea at varying subnational levels (termed units) by spatially aggregating draws, and we investigated the drivers of subnational patterns by creating aggregated risk factor estimates. Findings The greatest declines in diarrhoeal mortality were seen in south and southeast Asia and South America, where 54·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·1–65·8), 17·4% (7·7–28·4), and 59·5% (34·2–86·9) of units, respectively, recorded decreases in deaths from diarrhoea greater than 10%. Although children in much of Africa remain at high risk of death due to diarrhoea, regions with the most deaths were outside Africa, with the highest mortality units located in Pakistan. Indonesia showed the greatest within-country geographical inequality; some regions had mortality rates nearly four times the average country rate. Reductions in mortality were correlated to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) or reductions in child growth failure (CGF). Similarly, most high-risk areas had poor WASH, high CGF, or low oral rehydration therapy coverage. Interpretation By co-analysing geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden and its key risk factors, we could assess candidate drivers of subnational death reduction. Further, by doing a counterfactual analysis of the remaining disease burden using key risk factors, we identified potential intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. In view of the demands for limited resources in LMICs, accurately quantifying the burden of diarrhoea and its drivers is important for precision public health

Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Cycling Performance Across Quartile Distances and the Final km of a 16.1 km Time-trial

Peripheral blood flow is increased by blackcurrant intake in humans, potentially via anthocyanin-induced vasorelaxation and vasodilation, which may affect performance and pacing strategy in a cycling time-trial (TT). We examined the effect of 7-days New Zealand blackcurrant (BC) extract on performance in each quartile and the last km of a 16.1 km TT. Fourteen trained male cyclists (>3 years experience; mean ± SD; age: 38 ± 13 years; height: 178 ± 4 cm; body mass: 77 ± 9 kg; V?O2max: 53 ± 6 mL?kg-1?min-1, maximum power: 365 ± 36 W) completed two familiarization and two experimental time trials on an electronically braked ergometer (SRM ergometer, SRM International, Germany). Each experimental TT was preceded by 7-days supplementation of either New Zealand blackcurrant extract (300 mg?day-1 CurraNZ™; containing 105 mg anthocyanin, Health Currancy Ltd, UK) or placebo (PL, 300 mg?day-1 microcrystalline cellulose M102), in capsules. Experimental time-trials were separated by a 14-day washout period of the supplementation in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Performance in each quartile and the last km was analyzed with paired t-tests and significance accepted at p ≤ .05. BC improved the 16.1 km TT performance by 2.4% (BC vs. PL: 1678 ± 108 vs. 1722 ± 131 s, p = .02) and allowed faster cycling speed in the 4-8 km (BC: 34.6 ± 2.2 vs. PL: 33.9 ± 2.4 km?h-1, p = .02), 8-12 km (BC: 34.3 ± 2.3 vs.PL: 33.5 ± 2.7 km?h-1, p = .04) and 12-16.1 km (BC: 35.2 ± 2.6 vs. PL: 34.2 ± 2.8 km?h-1, p = .04) sectors. There was no difference in cycling speed between conditions for the last km (BC: 37.8 ± 4.1 vs. PL: 36.2 ± 3.1 km?h-1, p > .05). Heart rate and cadence were similar between conditions in each sector and the last km of the 16.1 km TT. Intake of New Zealand BC extract allowed an increase in cycling performance for the last 75% of a 16.1 km TT. It is concluded that 7-days intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract (CurraNZ™) has a favorable effect on overall cycling TT performance in endurance-trained athletes with implications for pacing strategy, as the performance improvement was not due to an enhanced final km

CurraNZ Blackcurrant Improves Cycling Performance and Recovery in Trained Endurance Athletes

Background Peripheral blood flow is increased by blackcurrant intake in humans (Matsumoto, et al., 2005), potentially by anthocyanin-induced vasorelaxation and vasodilation (Ziberna, et al., 2013), which may affect substrate delivery, exercise performance and recovery. We examined the effect of 1-week CurraNZ blackcurrant on substrate oxidation during steady state cycling, 16.1 km (10 mile) time-trial performance and lactate clearance following exercise in trained endurance athletes. Methods Nine male endurance athletes (club level cyclists and triathletes with >3 yrs experience; age: 35±14 years, height: 179±3 cm, body mass: 76±9 kg, BMI: 24±2, VO2max: 54±6 mL?kg-1?min-1, maximum power: 366±42 W, mean±SD) visited the laboratory for 4 sessions. Cycling tests for lactate responses (4 min stages with 2 min recovery, start power 50 W with 30 W increments) and maximum oxygen uptake (start power 50 W for 4 min with 30 W?min-1 increments) at self-selected pedal cadence (SRM ergometer, SRM International, Germany) were performed to establish power values at 45%, 55%, and 65% of VO2max. Experimental design was double-blind and randomized with a wash-out period of 2 weeks. Familiarized participants were tested following 7 days of blackcurrant extract (CurraNZ, 300mg/day) (Health Currancy Ltd, UK) or placebo (P) capsule intake. Indirect calorimetry (Douglas bag technique) was used at low (~45%) and moderate intensity (~55% and ~65%) steady-state cycling (10 min stages) with lactate sampling. Subsequently, a 16.1 km time-trial was performed with lactate sampling during recovery for 20 min. Paired t-tests were used for analysis with significance accepted at p.05). CurraNZ improved 16.1 km time-trial performance substantially by 3.6% (P: 1784±121, CurraNZ: 1718±108 sec, p=.03, 7 out of 9 participants improved, range -2.2-8.6%). Lactate was higher with CurraNZ immediately following the time-trial (P: 5.4±1.6, CurraNZ: 6.5±1.8 mmol?L-1, p=.03, all participants). Lactate decreases were higher with CurraNZ after 20 min of passive recovery following the time-trial (P: 3.2±0.8, CurraNZ: 3.9±1.2 mmol?L-1, p=.03, 8 out of 9 participants). Conclusions Intake of CurraNZ blackcurrant is associated with 1) normal metabolic and physiological responses at low and moderate intensity cycling, 2) improved 16.1 km (10 mile) time-trial cycling performance, 3) potentially a higher lactate tolerance during time-trial performance, and 4) increased lactate clearance after exercise indicating improved recovery. It is concluded that CurraNZ blackcurrant intake has favourable implications in endurance athletes for aerobic exercise performance, lactate tolerance, and recovery. Acknowledgement Funding for this study and conference attendance was provided by Health Currancy Ltd (UK)

An investigation of a novel three-dimensional activity monitor to predict free-living energy expenditure

Original article can be found at: http://www.informaworld.com/ Copyright Informa / Taylor and Francis Group. DOI: 10.1080/02640410701708979 [Full text of this article is not available in the UHRA]Peer reviewe