The company said they were absolutely delighted as the trophy completes an impressive remarkable “triple crown” of Nutraingredients gongs in this category for the first-to-market supplement, after winning Asia in 2020 and USA in 2021.
They believe the award celebrates the best branded or own-label supplements, functional foods and beverages positioned to enhance athletic performance and recovery in the nutraceutical market in Europe.
Fleur Cushman, founder and director of Health Currancy said: “CurraNZ is the first-to-market proprietary supplement that harnesses the unique botanical properties of the New Zealand blackcurrant, rich in the polyphenols – anthocyanins – and dietetically wrapped into a clinically proven, high potency extract, Enzans.”
Best raw materials
CurraNZ was also a finalist in the keenly-fought Sports Nutrition Ingredient category, which recognises the best raw materials for enhancing performance, boosting recovery or aiding endurance for the sports and active nutrition industries.
The subject of a rapidly-expanding portfolio of over 30 published exercise, performance, recovery and health studies, the standardised, proprietary New Zealand Blackcurrant Anthocyanin Extract supplement is used by some of the world’s leading sports teams and athletes.
The award-winning research has confirmed the many health and fitness benefits behind CurraNZ for supporting muscle recovery, performance and fat oxidation for elite and active nutrition consumers.
The body of solid sports nutrition research, proving the fast-acting potency of CurraNZ, impressed the judges.
They said: “Performance and recovery wise, the panel believe CurraNZ is an offering worthy of attention from elite athletes and everyday sports enthusiasts.”
The Nutra Ingredients Europe Sports Nutrition Product of the Year Award 2022 adds to the growing reputation of the New Zealand brand, which recently announced a product collaboration with Healthspan Elite, the Official Sports Nutrition Partner to the All Blacks. Healthspan Elite launched their All Blacks-endorsed range of supplements in New Zealand in March.
Fleur said: “A big thank you to the judges for this incredible recognition and important moment for our company.
“We recognise the significance of winning such a competitive category at this prestigious event, against an impressive line-up of sports nutrition products, whom we hold in the highest regard.
“Winning this Europe award, to complete the full house of ‘Nutraingredients’ Sports Nutrition Product titles, feels like our ‘Grand Slam’ moment.”
Sports performance
Fleur said that ten years ago, when they started on this blackcurrant journey, little was known about the properties of the New Zealand fruits for health, sports performance or muscle recovery.
She added: “Thanks to the incredible work of British researchers, we are unlocking the product’s array of complex and exciting properties.
“We are very proud that CurraNZ has multiple benefits for supporting active users across the spectrum of the market, from grass roots consumers to elite sportspeople.
“Our research pipeline continues to provide much excitement and momentum and we look forward to publishing more high-impact studies this year and next.”
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