Marathon Des Sables Athletes – Complete in high temps with higher fat oxidation

Recent research has revealed that high-dose anthocyanins naturally extracted from blackcurrants significantly improve performance in ultra-marathon.

A case study was undertaken on two high-level competitors from the 2023 race. Before starting heat acclimation training four weeks before the Marathon Des Sables, the two novice endurance athletes were tested in an hour’s treadmill running in 34C heat, having dosed on two capsules (600mg) of CurraNZ for 7 days. They had a light breakfast before the session.

Key Findings:

• Energy Metabolism: The male runner experienced a 31% reduction in carbohydrate use, the highest recorded in blackcurrant research. His fat oxidation increased by 21%.
• Thermoregulation: His core temperature dropped by 0.4°C in 34°C heat, indicating better heat management.

However, the female runner did not show a significant response, likely due to her elite physiology.

Further Insights:

• Fat as Fuel: Enhancing fat oxidation is beneficial for endurance athletes as it is a more sustainable energy source than carbohydrates.
• Heat Stress: Previous studies [10, 15] suggest that blackcurrants can reduce heat stress and protect the gut during exercise. The reduction in core temperature observed in the male runner suggests the potential for improved performance in hot conditions.

Professor Willems suggests that blackcurrant extract could be linked to better blood flow, aiding quicker heat dissipation. While these results are promising, further studies are needed to confirm the benefits across larger groups of athletes.

CurraNZ is derived from New Zealand blackcurrants, renowned for their exceptionally high levels of anthocyanins and polyphenols. These bioactive compounds, encapsulated in each 300mg capsule, provide a standardized dose, offering athletes a natural edge in their pursuit of excellence. CurraNZ retails at £23.99 for a pack of 30 capsules.

code: 5KRUNNER20 for 20% off

More: curranz.com

FYI: Unpaid, free samples received that I use because I think they work.

References

1. Effects of CurraNZ, a New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract, during 1 Hour of Treadmill Running in Female and Male Marathon des Sables Athletes in Hot Conditions: Two Case Studies, Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, May 2024, Willems et al, https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9020076
2. New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances fat oxidation during prolonged cycling in endurance-trained females. Strauss, JA, Willems, MET and Shepherd, SO (2018) European Journal of Applied Physiology. ISSN 1439-6327 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3858-3
3. Daily and Not Every-Other-Day Intake of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Alters Substrate Oxidation during Moderate-Intensity Walking in Adult Males, Journal of Dietary Supplements, October 2020, https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1841356
4. Intake Duration of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Affects Metabolic Responses during Moderate Intensity Walking Exercise in Males, June 2020 in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1783421
5. New Zealand Blackcurrant Improves Performance and Fat Oxidation in Cyclists, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 DOI 10.1007/s00421-015-3215-8.
6. Dose Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant on Substrate Oxidation and Physiological Responses During Prolonged Cycling, Matthew David Cook, Stephen David Myers · Mandy Lucinda Gault · Victoria Charlotte Edwards · Mark Elisabeth Theodorus Willems, Eur J Appl Physiol ,2017 117:1207–1216 DOI 10.1007/s00421-017-3607-z
7. Enhanced Walking-Induced Fat Oxidation by New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Is Body Composition-Dependent in Recreationally Active Adult Females Willems, M.E.T.; Banic, M.; Cadden, R.; Barnett, L Nutrients 2022, 14, 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071475
8. New Zealand Blackcurrant Improves Performance and Fat Oxidation in Cyclists, Willems ME1, Myers SD, Blacker S, Cook MD. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015 DOI 10.1007/s00421-015-3215-8
9. Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Physiological Responses at Rest and during Brisk Walking in Southeast Asian Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study. M Willems, N Parktin, W Widjaja, An Ajjimaporn. Nutrients 2018, 10(11), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111732
10. Dietary supplementation with New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances fat oxidation during submaximal exercise in the heat, Ania M. Hiles, Tessa R. Flood, Ben J. Lee,∗, Lucy E.V. Wheeler, Rianne Costello,Ella F. Walker, Kimberly M. Ashdowna, Matthew R. Kuennenc, Mark E.T. Willems, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports, March 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.02.017
11. Enhanced walking-induced fat oxidation by New Zealand blackcurrant extract is body composition-dependent in recreationally active adult females Mark ET Willems et al, Nutrients, 2022 https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071475
12. New Zealand Blackcurrant Increases Post-Exercise Hypotension Following Sustained Moderate Intensity Exercise, International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0014
13. Two weeks daily intake of anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant extract enhances whole-body fat oxidation during supine rest in healthy males, M Willems, Journal Dietary Supplements, August 2023 Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals 2023; 2(8): 30-40. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.31989/dsn.v2i8.1124
14. Running-induced metabolic and physiological responses by New Zealand blackcurrant extract in a male ultra-endurance runner: A case study J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2022, 7, 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk7040104
15. New Zealand blackcurrant extract modulates the heat shock response in men during exercise in hot ambient conditions, Lee et al, Eu J Applied Physiology April 2024, B Lee, M Kuennen, M Willems et al, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05439-w
16. Anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract preserves gastrointestinal barrier permeability and reduces enterocyte damage but has no effect on microbial translocation and inflammation after exertional heat stress, Ben J Lee, Tessa R Flood, Ania M Hiles, Ella F Walker, Lucy EV Wheeler, Kimberly M Ashdown, Mark ET Willems, Rianne Costello, Luke D Greisler, Phebe Romano , Garrett W Hill , Matthew R Kuennen https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2021-0330

Last Updated on 25 January 2026 by the5krunner

the5krunner

tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID