Blackcurrant Juice May Sharpen Focus by Boosting Brain Blood Flow

An international team of scientists has discovered that drinking blackcurrant juice increases blood flow to the frontal lobes of the brain, both at rest and during mental exertion. The results were published in the journal **Nutritional Neuroscience**, as reported by our site with a link to **Gazeta.Ru**.

The experiment involved 20 healthy young people aged 18 to 35. On one visit to the lab, they drank blackcurrant juice of the Blackadder variety, enriched with 500 milligrams of polyphenols, and on another, they drank a placebo that was identical in taste and color but lacked active ingredients.

Using near-infrared spectroscopy, researchers tracked changes in oxygen levels in the blood, which reflect brain blood flow activity. The results showed that 35 minutes after drinking the juice, the level of oxyhemoglobin, a measure of blood oxygenation, increased significantly in the left frontal lobe, while the level of deoxyhemoglobin decreased. This indicates more efficient oxygen supply to the brain and improved vascular function. The total volume of blood in this area also increased slightly.

"We observed a clear increase in blood flow in the left prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for attention and decision-making. This aligns with the fact that the left side of the brain is more actively involved in working memory processes," explained the study's author, Dr. Anthony Watson, director of the Human Nutrition and Physical Activity Research Center at Newcastle University.

Blackcurrants are rich in polyphenols, including anthocyanins, plant compounds known for their positive effects on blood vessels and the heart. Scientists suggest that these may enhance the production of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels, or influence dopamine and serotonin levels, which also play a role in regulating brain blood flow.

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