On this page

Study design

In the double-blind crossover study, participants received a daily blackcurrant formulation or placebo for 4 weeks, separated by a washout of at least 2 weeks. The blend contained blackcurrant anthocyanins, 200 mg L-theanine and 100 mg pine-bark extract. The cognitive analysis included 26 participants.

Findings

Attention-task false alarms decreased after repeated supplementation. Secondary serial-subtraction and delayed-word-recall findings, as well as mental fatigue, were nominally significant but did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Blood monoamine measurements were exploratory peripheral markers, not direct measurements of brain neurotransmitters. The mixture prevents attributing any effect to blackcurrant, L-theanine or pine bark alone.

Limitations and disclosures

The sample was small and predominantly female; crossover carryover cannot be excluded. Recruitment counts differ between the abstract and methods. Ārepa supplied the formulation and co-funded the work with a New Zealand government research fund. One author disclosed a former company role and a pending patent. These findings do not establish dementia prevention or durable everyday cognitive benefit.

This sourced news summary and translation were prepared with AI assistance. Source links, the news date and research limitations are disclosed; this is not a claim of independent medical expert review. News production method.

Sources

Research news is not medical advice or a recommendation to use a substance. Read findings in the context of the study design, participants and limitations. Editorial standards.

← All news