Our bodies are well equipped with a portfolio of endogenous systems that if activated help us exercise and perform to our maximum while protecting against the damaging effects of the exercise.\u00a0 Almost all these systems are under the control of a molecule in our bodies\u2019 cells called nrf2.\u00a0 Nrf2 is a transcription factor that once activated moves from the cytoplasm of the cell into the nucleus and binds to the DNA in the nucleus.\u00a0 Once bound to the DNA nrf2 switches on a specific set of genes that leads to the synthesis of over 200 proteins, including many involved in antioxidant processes.\u00a0 The importance of nrf2 in regulating antioxidant status, and exercise performance and recovery, has been well demonstrated in animal models, in which animals with impaired or no nrf2 activity show reduced antioxidant activity and exercise performance.<\/p>\n
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The key question then is how can nrf2 be activated to ensure that our bodies can perform optimally during sports and exercise, while minimising cell damage to ensure fast recovery.\u00a0 The answers to this question have come from animal studies, and we are now beginning to discover that these answers are also applicable to humans.\u00a0 The good news is that nrf2 can be activated by what we eat, especially compounds we get from fruits and vegetables.\u00a0 In particular the anthocyanins from blackcurrants have been shown to be especially effective at activating nrf2 in animals.<\/p>\n
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Many human clinical trials have shown that New Zealand blackcurrants improve the body\u2019s antioxidant status, sports performance and recovery.\u00a0 The studies in animals showing that nrf2 is an important mediator of these outcomes suggests that this may be the mechanism by which New Zealand blackcurrants are working in humans.\u00a0 Currently the New Zealand Blackcurrant Co-operative and its research partner the New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research are determining the role of nrf2 in sports performance and recovery in humans. So rather than directly protecting the body from oxidative stress generated during exercise, blackcurrant anthocyanins are activating the body\u2019s own antioxidant defence systems for a healthier you, including improving sports performance and recovery.<\/p>\n
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