News Release
July 26, 2004
Blackcurrant And Propolis Combination Has New Zealand Researchers Excited
Research undertaken by Crop & Food Research, and funded by Comvita Limited, has found that blackcurrant and propolis have exceptional antioxidant or free radical scavenging activity as well as other potential health benefits.
Lincoln-based Health and Nutrition team member at Crop & Food Research, Scientist Dr Carolyn Lister, says blackcurrant and propolis extracts have incredibly high antioxidant activity, being much higher than commonly consumed fruits or vegetables.
“Our research also confirmed that propolis, and to some extent blackcurrant, have immune-supporting activity,” says Lister.
One particular study by Crop & Food Research showed that “while all the fruit extracts studied had remarkably high antioxidant activity levels…blackcurrant had the highest”.
Crop & Food Research’s findings come as no surprise to Comvita who have long known about the immune-supporting characteristics of propolis, one of its flagbearer products, and have long suspected that red-pigmented berries like blackcurrants contain superior health benefits. Blackcurrants have four times the vitamin C content of oranges. Since ancient times, the berries of the blackcurrant have been made into a syrup and digested for their soothing properties for throats and support for winter ills.
Spurred on by the research findings, in a departure from manufacturing and marketing its usual honey-based products, Comvita has launched Blackcurrant & Propolis as part of a new range of antioxidants. Other products in the range include Selenium, one of the most powerful antioxidant nutrients, and Selenium ACE, a broad spectrum antioxidant.
Comvita’s own research and development team say it makes perfect sense combining blackcurrant and propolis into one antioxidant and immune-supporting supplement.
“Our Blackcurrant & Propolis tablets combine blackcurrant with the finest quality New Zealand propolis,” says Denise Elliott, Comvita’s technical manager.
“We have combined these two powerful antioxidants into a tasty, chewable tablet suitable for the whole family,” she says.
“Studies of the health benefits of berries such as blackcurrants, blueberries and bilberries have confirmed their high antioxidant activity. There’s good evidence to support claims that these fruits have a whole range of health benefits that include high antioxidant activity, and that they support healthy circulation and capillary strength.”
Elliott says the attraction of berry fruits is they have particularly high concentrations of biochemical compounds that appear to have a variety of functions and are full of nutrients.
“Studies of propolis have shown it has a supporting effect on many aspects of the complex immune regulatory system.”
Selenium, the second product in Comvita’s new antioxidant range, is an essential trace element found in the sea and soil but often deficient in the latter. It’s recognised as one of the most powerful antioxidant nutrients. Selenium ACE with zinc, the third product in the range, contains mixed carotenoids sourced from natural marine algae. A broad spectrum antioxidant, it provides cellular protection for the body.
END