Consuming blackcurrant juice may have positive effects on mood and can alleviate mental fatigue in healthy adults, according to data from a new study conducted in New Zealand.
The research, published in The Journal of Agricultural Chemistry, identified a new bioactive compound, sarmentosin, as the main inhibitor of MAO-B enzymes in the human brain after consuming blackcurrant products.
MAO-B enzymes break down important chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, which plays an essential role in mood and mental performance, scientists from the Plant & Food Research organization at Callaghan Innovation in New Zealand stated.
Previous studies have suggested that MAO-B inhibition is linked to other bioactive substances besides the anthocyanins found in blackcurrants.
The compound that stimulates dopamine production
Following this study, researchers identified the compound sarmentosin as the primary bioactive substance behind this function, according to the lead researcher, Dominic Lomiwes, from Plant & Food Research.
Sarmentosin has proven to be a strong inhibitor of MAO-B, effectively reducing enzyme activity and supporting the presence of dopamine, which contributes to mood and cognitive performance, according to blood analysis results.
We observed MAO-B inhibition in every participant who consumed blackcurrant products containing sarmentosin, Lomiwes stated. Richard Newcomb, a senior researcher at Plant & Food Research, emphasized the importance of this discovery for both the scientific community and the commercial sector.
Nutritional Value
Blackcurrants have a high concentration of: anthocyanins, polyphenolic substances, antioxidants, and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
