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You are here: Home / Vision / Black Currant for Vision

Black Currant for Vision

September 20, 2016 By Leave a Comment Last Updated: October 31, 2016

Superfruit black currant supplies active C3G to support dark adaptation and night vision performance.

Black currant. By Paolo Neo [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Black currant. By Paolo Neo [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Black currant is prized as a health-supportive herb for its nutrient-dense seeds, leaves, and berries, not to mention the lively tartness it provides for drinks and desserts. Specifically in regards to eye care, black currant extracts are suggested to help vision performance by:

  • Protecting the retina. Black currant is rich in anthocyanins that minimize harmful oxidative processes in the eye, potentially supporting long-term macular health.
  • Regenerating rhodopsin. This compound is key for low-light and shifting-light vision and adaptation, and is linked to black currants’ popular use for night vision.
  • Maintaining retinal vascular function. Black currant seems to protect endothelial cells against vascular failure, diminish inflammation, and increase nitric oxide production in the retina.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Overview
    • Black Currant for Vision Performance
    • Currant’s Vision Performance Compound: C3G
  • How Black Currant May Help with Vision Performance
    • Regenerating rhodopsin
    • Promoting Ocular Circulation
    • Enhancing antioxidant defenses
  • Black Currant Vision Performance Benefits & Uses
  • Research
    • Animal Research
    • Human Research
  • Dosage for Vision Performance
  • Supplements in Review Recommendation

Overview

Black currant jam. By Oleg Sidorenko from Moscow, Russia (Blackcurrant jamUploaded by Yarl) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Black currant jam. By Oleg Sidorenko from Moscow, Russia (Blackcurrant jamUploaded by Yarl) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The native northern European and Asian shrub, black currant, or ribus nigrum, is esteemed for the clusters of piquant berries it produces during the summer. Due to their tartness, the berries are often mingled with other fruits, or turned into jams, juices, and purées.

Beyond their use in culinary traditions, black currants supply a range of health-supportive nutrients, making them valued in herbal wellness practices:

  • Black currant berries are prized for their high concentration of antioxidants and other phytochemicals
  • Black currant seeds supply high levels of vitamin E, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)

With its nutrient-dense profile, black currant is used in a variety of natural health applications, including for joint health, immune performance, cardiovascular wellness, brain health, women’s hormonal balance and other areas.

For this page, however, we’re focusing on black currant’s emerging role as a potential supporter of eye health and vision performance.

Black currant plant. By Alinja (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Flowers and leaves of a black currant plant. By Alinja (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Black Currant for Vision Performance

Black currant’s rising popularity as a vision performance-enhancer – markedly so in athletic and gaming circles – and is primarily attributed to black currant’s copious store of antioxidants.1 These antioxidants include flavonoids, such as rutin, and four main anthocyanins: delphinidine-3-glucoside, delphinidine-3-rutinoside, cyanidine-3-glucoside, and cyanidine-3-rutinoside.2 Black currants are also rich in Vitamin C; pound-for-pound, they supply 5X as much Vitamin C as oranges do.

Currant’s Vision Performance Compound: C3G

One of the most intriguing vision-bolstering antioxidants in black currant, especially in gaming, athletics, and competitive scenarios, is Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G),

  • By Yikrazuul (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
    By Yikrazuul (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
    A pivotal component of many berries, C3G flavonoid has been pinpointed as the “active ingredient” of black currant that speeds up the regeneration of rhodopsin, allowing for quicker dark adaptation while optimizing visual acuity.3

Studies have shown that, along with other anthocyanosides found in black currants, C3G may support ideal dark adaptation and speed up visual processes by binding directly to rhodopsin in the dark and upon light activation.

Additional proposed sight-supportive bio-activities of C3G include:

  • Protection of endothelial cells against dysfunction and vascular failure; key for retinal circulation
  • Inflammation modulating properties; it may help counter this contributor to retinal degeneration
  • Upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) for maintenance of steady vascular function45

All of these activities are important for healthy retinal function, positioning Black Currant (and its C3G) as a possible supporter of long range healthy eye function, in addition to supporting night vision and visual performance in the here-and-now.

By Gamerscore Blog from USA (PAX 425) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Black currant’s dark adaptation benefits seem promising for gamers seeking a competitive edge. By Gamerscore Blog from USA (PAX 425) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

How Black Currant May Help with Vision Performance

Regenerating rhodopsin

Also referred to as visual purple for its reddish-purple hue, rhodopsin is a light-sensitive receptor protein found in the rods of the retina and famous for activating vision in low-light conditions via its acute light sensitivity.6 Studies seem to lean toward anthocyanosides found in black currant, especially C3G, as critical playmakers in dark adaptation by implementing rapid rhodopsin regeneration and the activation of retinal enzymes.7 Similar anthocyanosides are present in bilberry, which reportedly may serve as a new means of promoting visual recovery.

Promoting Ocular Circulation

Black currant anthocyanins have been shown in some early human research to increase circulation to the eyes in patients with glaucoma.8 This is consistent with black currants’ suggested circulation-supportive properties, but appears to add specific support for the ocular circulation that is critical for eye health and visual performance.

Enhancing antioxidant defenses

Antioxidant activity has repeatedly been hailed in medical science research and practices as a compelling tool to combat cellular deterioration and apoptosis all throughout the body, including in the eyes. Black currant packs a zesty punch of antioxidants in each serving through its impressive stock of anthocyanins, vitamins, and numerous related polyphenols.9 This antioxidant activity has been suggested to help maintain macular health and support healthy vision during the aging process.

Black Currant Vision Performance Benefits & Uses

The most evidence-backed benefit of taking black currant as a supplement appears to be for low-light and shifting-light vision as a result of its interplay with rhodopsin. Ocular advantages of taking C3G are gaining steam with anecdotal reports of other vision performance benefits, including reduced eyestrain, enhanced contrast sensitivity, improved visual recovery from glare and shadows, and “faster” vision the may help to support quick reflexes. Black currant’s high concentration of plant pigment antioxidants also bode well for its use in maintaining eye function against certain age-related vision issues.

Research

Animal Research

Research indicates that black currant may aid in low-light and contrast sensitivity vision performance through rhodopsin regeneration.

C3G appears to stimulate rhodopsin regeneration in frog retinas

Concentrations of black currant supplement were applied to frog rod outer segment (ROS) membranes to investigate its effect on rhodopsin regeneration. C3G appeared to accelerate the formation of a regeneration intermediate in rod photoreceptors.10

Human Research

While human study concerning the vision enhancing effects of black currant supplementation is limited, it appears favorable, with room for growth through continuing studies.

Black currant anthocyanoside (50 mg) concentrate may enhance dark adaptation and reduce visual fatigue.

Dark Adaptation Values Measured Before and After Intake of BCA or Placebo in a Dark Adaptation Study.
Dark Adaptation Values Measured Before and After Intake of BCA or Placebo in a Dark Adaptation Study.

In this double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study of dark adaptation, 12 healthy adults were given doses of 12.5, 25, and then 50 mg of black currant anthocyanoside (BCA) concentrate to determine its effect on their dark adaptation threshold. Results demonstrates that the dark adaptation visual threshold lowers at all doses of BCA but only significantly so at 50 mg doses. The investigation also considered accommodative alteration or transient myopic shift of refractive status following an extended or continuous visual task as a reliable indicator of visual fatigue. Intake of BCA at 50 mg positively prevented the decrease in refraction values (with an average change of -0.030 mm) that otherwise generally occurs, which indicates improvements in asthenopia, or visual fatigue, after BCA consumption.

  • The researchers who performed this study concluded that “oral intake of BCA brought about a reduction of the dark adaptation threshold and promoted recovery from or served to prevent VDT work-induced transient refractive alteration and subjective symptoms of visual fatigue.”11
Typical Dark Adaptation Threshold Before (continuous line) and After (dotted line) BCA Intake in the Case of One Subject During 30 Minutes of Dark Adaptation.
Typical Dark Adaptation Threshold Before (continuous line) and After (dotted line) BCA Intake in the Case of One Subject During 30 Minutes of Dark Adaptation.

 

Black Currant antioxidants may be helpful in cases of glaucoma

In this study, researchers investigated how black currant anthocyanins may influence the progression of open-angle glaucoma. Study subjects received 50 mg of black currant anthocyanins (or placebo) once per day for a span of two years. Throughout, they were tested for cardiovascular markers, intraocular pressure, ocular circulation, and visual field mean deviation. Researchers found that Black Currant increased ocular circulation when compared with placebo, as appeared to bring a significant improvement to visual field mean deviation.

  • Researchers concluded that supplementing with black currant anthocyanins “…may be a safe and promising supplement for patients with open-angle glaucoma in addition to antiglaucoma medication.“12

Dosage for Vision Performance

  • Black currant anthocyanoside concentrate, 50 mg – This is a clinically backed dose for black currant taken to enhance night vision

Supplements in Review Recommendation

  • Black currant extract, standardized for C3G or anthocyanins, 50 mg 

Black currant has potential vision benefits. The principal benefits of supplementing with black currant seem to be visual adaptation in low-light or dark settings with concurrent improvements in visual recovery. Possible complementary advantages may include reducing eye fatigue, enhancing contrast sensitivity, and speeding up vision reflexes. Taken together, the merits of black currant supplementation may be ideal for athletes and gamers looking for an edge in tasks demanding swift execution especially in conditions of dim or altering lights.

If you can, try to find Black Currant standardized to C3G. This is the compound that seems to be generating the most buzz as a vision performance-enhancer. If your black currant is standardized for C3G, then you’ll get a guaranteed level of this active compound in each serving. Research is early on black currant for vision, but 50 mg is one dose that was positive for night vision enhancement, and seems a good starting point for addressing vision performance.

References

Show 12 footnotes

  1. Mulleder U, et al. Urinary excretion of cyanidin glycosides. J Biochem Biophys Methods. 2002 Oct-Nov;53(1-3):61-6. ↩
  2. Matsumoto H, et al. Preparative-scale isolation of four anthocyanin components in blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) fruits. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2001, 49, 1541-1545. ↩
  3. Guerra MC, et al. Cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside, a natural free-radical scavenger against aflatoxin B1- and ochratoxin A-induced cell damage in a human hepatoma cell line (Hep G2) and a human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line (CaCo-2). Br J Nutr. 2005 Aug;94(2):211-20. ↩
  4. Serraino I, et al. Protective effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside from blackberry extract against peroxynitrite-induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular failure. Life Sci. 2003 Jul 18;73(9):1097-114. ↩
  5. Xu JW, et al. Cyanidin-3-glucoside regulates phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. FEBS Lett. 2004 Sep 10;574(1-3):176-80. ↩
  6. Hanselman AR and Cusanovish, MA. Characterization of the recombination reaction of rhodopsin. Biochemistry. 1976;15:5321-5. ↩
  7. Matsumoto H, et al. Orally administered delphinidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside are directly absorbed in rats and humans and appear in the blood as the intact forms. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2001;49:1546-1551. ↩
  8. Ohguro H, et al. Two-year randomized, placebo-controlled study of black currant anthocyanins on visual field in glaucoma. Ophthalmologica. 2012;228(1):26-35. ↩
  9. Kapasakalidis PG, et al. Extraction of polyphenols from processed black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) residues. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2006;54(11):4016–21. ↩
  10. Matsumoto H, et al. Stimulatory effect of cyanidin 3-glycosides on the regeneration of rhodopsin. J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Jun 4;51(12):3560-3. ↩
  11. Nakaishi H, et al. Effects of Black Currant Anthocyanoside Intake on Dark Adaptation and VDT Work-induced Transient Refractive Alteration in Healthy Humans. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(6):553-62. ↩
  12. Ohguro H, et al. Two-year randomized, placebo-controlled study of black currant anthocyanins on visual field in glaucoma. Ophthalmologica. 2012;228(1):26-35. ↩

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