Blackcurrants reduce osteoporosis risk after menopause

Osteoporosis, or bone weakening, is one of the biggest worries for women after they’ve gone through the menopause—but there’s a simple and inexpensive way to combat it.

Blackcurrant supplements protect the bones after the menopause, keeping them strong and reducing the chances of fracture.

Taking two 392 mg supplements a day is enough to combat bone loss after the menopause, say researchers from the University of Connecticut’s College of Agriculture, health and Natural Resources.

They tested the supplements on a group of 40 women who were going through the menopause.  They were given either one or two capsules a day, or a placebo, for six months, and those taking the supplements increased bone mineral density compared to those given a placebo.

Although all the women taking supplements didn’t lose any bone density, those taking two supplements a day actually saw bone density levels improve.

Blackcurrant lowers levels of the interleukin-1 protein, which can cause a reduction in bone density, and also increases bacteria in the gut that help promote bone growth.  The bacteria, Ruminococcus 2, helps with the digestion of food that be converted into energy.

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