Research Centre: Plant & Food Research
Location 1: Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand 
Location 2: 120 Mount Albert Road, Mount Albert, Sandringham 1025, Auckland, New Zealand
Lead Researcher: Dr. Kerry Bentley-Hewitt
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Northern B Health and Disability Ethics Committee

About the Study

Want to learn more about the health benefits of blackcurrants? Blackcurrants pack a powerful punch in boosting your health and vitality. They help your body fight viruses and infections, and they may even help you develop antibodies that protect against the flu. If you’re someone who wants to be extra protected against the flu virus, this study might be for you!

Researchers from Plant & Food Research seek to investigate the effects of a blackcurrant-based formulation on healthy older adults. They aim to see if this formulation may help support the body’s natural response against the flu. If successful, this product can be taken before and after receiving the influenza vaccine to help provide you with extra protection against the flu virus.

Why Participate? 

• Participants may receive a new potential blackcurrant formulation at no cost.
• Participants may boost their immune systems against the flu. 
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may help researchers study the health benefits of blackcurrants.
• Participants will be compensated up to $600 in vouchers as a token of appreciation for joining this study. 
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research on boosting one’s immune system against the flu.

Your Rights

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

Who Can Participate?

• Healthy people of any gender aged 50 and above
• Must not have been vaccinated against the flu in 2022 and be willing to be vaccinated against the flu
• Must not be allergic to blackcurrants and any medications
• Must not have any chronic conditions that require treatment or medication
• Must be able to attend 6 study visits at the research site over approximately 13 weeks

Key Study Details 

The study team will explain the research study in its entirety but some study details are:

• Participants who have not yet received the flu vaccine and are willing to be vaccinated will be given a flu vaccine at no cost. 
• Participants will be randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups. The first group will receive the study formulation, while the second group will receive a placebo. 
• Participants will be supplied for 12 weeks with the blackcurrant based-formulation which will be consumed as a drink, with water added or a placebo.
• Participants will be asked to provide blood samples. 

About the Research Centre:

Plant & Food Research

Plant & Food Research believe science can create a smart green future. Every day, Plant & Food Research has almost 1,000 people across Aotearoa New Zealand working with partners to deliver healthy foods from the world’s most sustainable systems.

Please note:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.