“Of all the beneficial bio-medicinal functions of anthocyanins, the effect on vision was one of the first reported.”
Four main anthocyanin compounds -
exclusivel contained in the blackcurrant
Anthocyanin analysia of blackcurrants &
blueberries
Reference: Matsumoto, H., Kamm, K. E., Stull, J. T., & Azuma, H. (2005). Delphinidin-3-rutinoside relaxes the bovine ciliary smooth muscle through activation of ETB receptor and NO/cGMP pathway. Experimental Eye Research, 80, 313–322.
Reference: Nakaishi H, et al. Effects of black currant anthocyanoside intakes on dark adaptation and VDT work induced transient refractive alteration in healthy humans. Alternative Medicine Review 2000;5(6):1–10.
Reference: Ichihashi M, Matsumoto H. Ito, K. Yonekura, K., (2005). Improvement of Shade Ring Under the Eyes by Blackcurrant Polyphenol Intake. Nihon Hifuka Gakkai Osaka Chihokai, ISSN 0018-1390, vol 4, Issue 5, 492-49
Reference: Nakaishi, et. al., Altern.Med.Rev., 5(6), 553-562, 2000 (Clinical Study)
Reference: H.Matsumoto et. Al Japan Pharmacol. Ther. 35(5) 447-455, 2007
Department of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. ooguro @ sapmed.ac.jp
Reference: Ohguro H, Ohguro I, Katai M, Tanaka S (2012) “Two-year randomized, placebo-controlled study of cassis berry anthocyanins on visual field in glaucoma.” Ophthalmologica.;228(1):26-35
Department of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. ooguro@sapmed.ac.jp
Reference: Ohguro H, Ohguro I, Yagi S. Effects of black currant anthocyanins on intraocular pressure in healthy volunteers and patients with glaucoma. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Feb;29(1):61-7. doi: 10.1089/jop.2012.0071. Epub 2012 Oct 9. PubMed PMID: 23046438.
New Zealand blackcurrants are highly nutritious, rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and potassium, anthocyanins, organic acids, bioflavonoids and total phenolics. They also contain moderate quantities of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and calcium.
In a comparative study New Zealand blackcurrants had a greater amount of anthocyanins and phenolics than European Bilberry and more than 2 x times the amount of North American Blueberry. They also showed much higher levels of Vitamin C than either of these fruit.
A comparison is done by Dr. Hitoshi Matsumoto, Food and Health R & D Laboratories, Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd on the anthocyanin component between cassis berry and bilberry. Based on the finding, it shown that
*Blackcurrant phytochemical data compiled by NZ Berry Fruit Group Ltd, New Zealand under the JTB Standard Reference Data Program
*Blackcurrant phytochemical data compiled by NZ Berry Fruit Group Ltd, New Zealand under the JTB Standard Reference Data Program
*Blackcurrant phytochemical data compiled by NZ Berry Fruit Group Ltd, New Zealand under the JTB Standard Reference Data Program
*Apple, Strawberry and Orange nutritional data from USA National Database
*Nutritional resulton NZ Blackcurrant, European Billberry and Canadian Blueberry tested July 16, 2007 by Hills Laboratories
*Blackcurrant phytochemical data compiled by NZ Berry Fruit Group Ltd, New Zealand under the JTB Standard Reference Data Program
*Apple, Strawberry and Orange nutritional data from USA National Database
*Nutritional resulton NZ Blackcurrant, European Billberry and Canadian Blueberry tested July 16, 2007 by Hills Laboratories