Black Currant Study
We’re currently enrolling healthy participants who meet the criteria below. Participants receive a free bone density scan, diet analysis report, and $300 for successful completion of the study.
You can participate if you are:
- Healthy woman aged 45-70
- Be classified as postmenopausal (defined as no menses in the last 12 months, or had hysterectomy or endometrial ablation without bilateral oophorectomy before age 55) for less than 10 years
- Willing to ingest a black currant supplement or placebo daily for 12 months
- No cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, liver or kidney disease
- Not on hormone replacement therapy for at least one year
- Not heavy smokers (>20 cigarettes/day) or heavy drinkers (>2 drinks/day)
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Not taking prescription medications altering bone and/or calcium metabolism
- Willing to avoid other dietary supplements and foods extremely rich in anthocyanins and fermented dairy products for the duration of the study
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Willing to have a total of 5 blood draws, 4 urine and stool collections, and 3 bone scans, distributed between the baseline, month 3, month 6, and month 12 visits
You cannot participate if:
- You have taken prescription medication (other than for diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia) for more than one month
- You have had surgery within the past three months
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding

What will I do if I participate?
Participants will be asked to visit the Department of Nutritional Sciences in Storrs, Connecticut for 5 clinical visits over a period of 12 months. At these visits, we will measure your weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure, as well as collect a blood sample. Additionally, we will perform DXA bone scans at 3 of the visits.
Is there compensation for participating?
How do I join?
You can check your eligibility and learn more about the study by completing the screening process.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the study or participation, please contact:
Phone: 860-878-0679
Email: ochunlab2@gmail.com
This study has been approved by the BRANY Institutional Review Board (Protocol No. 25-02-472-910) and UConn Institutional Review Board (Protocol No. B2025-0380).