7 May 2013

Blackcurrants may make you more alert

7:17 pm on 7 May 2013

New Zealand scientists say blackcurrants could be just what people need to help them stay on the ball at work.

Plant and Food Research conducted a trial which shows that people taking a blackcurrant extract stayed more alert, were more accurate and had less mental fatigue when under significant mental stress than others given a placebo.

The leader of the study said scientists know that compounds in dark berry fruits have real effects on people's health and wellbeing.

Follow-up research will aim to identify which compounds in the blackcurrants are responsible for boosting alertness.