Black Currant Found to Have Beneficial Effect on Liver Health
Extract of black currant activates a key protective protein, FGF21, which helps the liver recover after alcohol exposure. Researchers from China and Finland reached this conclusion. The results were published in the scientific journal Food & Function (F&F).
Laboratory studies showed that the extract contains about 900 polyphenols and 45 anthocyanins. Many of these plant-derived bioactive compounds enhance the production of FGF21, a protein secreted by the liver that affects the brain and accelerates toxin removal.
Experiments on liver cells and laboratory mice demonstrated that black currant extract reduces inflammation and oxidative stress and protects cell membranes from damage. The effect was especially pronounced in models of acute alcoholic liver injury.
Besides activating FGF21, the extract also regulates the nervous system, boosting the body’s overall detoxification capacity. Scientists emphasize that black currant may become not only a natural liver protector but also a promising component for future drugs to prevent and treat alcohol-related liver damage.
