DARPA-Funded Study Shows Antioxidant Quercetin Reduces Susceptibility to Viral Illness and Helps Brain Function Under Stress

Quercetin is the first plant compound proven in a controlled clinical trial to reduce susceptibility to viral illnesses.

19/02/07 A study funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and recently released by researchers at Appalachian State University showed that the natural, plant-based flavonoid antioxidant quercetin reduced illness and helped maintain mental performance in physically-stressed test subjects. The clinical study was double-blind and placebo-controlled, and involved 40 test subjects who were subjected to extreme physical stress situations during a five week period.

Quercetin is the first plant compound proven in a controlled clinical trial to reduce susceptibility to viral illnesses. Participants in the Appalachian State University study ingested 1,000 milligrams of pure QU995 quercetin daily, combined with niacin and vitamin C to help the body absorb the substance more efficiently. In comparison, the average American eating a normal, healthy diet including fruits and vegetables consumes about 25-50 milligrams of quercetin a day.

QU995, niacin and vitamin C are the same active ingredients contained in New Sun Nutrition's FRS health drink. By drinking three cans of FRS daily, individuals can consume the same amount of QU995 that was administered in the Appalachian State University study.

QU995 is the highest grade of quercetin commercially available and New Sun Nutrition has reached an exclusive agreement with Quercegen Pharma of Newton, MA to use QU995 (high quality quercetin that is more than 99.5% pure) in its FRS Health Drink. FRS' patented formula synergistically combines quercetin and other antioxidants (green tea catechins) with vitamins B, C, E and metabolic enhancers to provide a sustained, healthy energy boost and long-term antioxidant health protection as well as improve the absorption of the antioxidant in the bloodstream for more effective results.

"Quercetin is an incredibly exciting natural antioxidant and scientific evidence is clear that at high purity it successfully combats a number of health issues," said Richard Lamb, chief executive officer at New Sun Nutrition and healthy energy snack industry veteran who co-founded The Balance Bar Company in 1992. "We have been advocating the benefits of higher consumption of quercetin and other flavonoid antioxidants for several years, and it's rewarding to see that this new study demonstrates an increased level of support for the consumption of high-grade quercetin combined with key vitamins as a way to protect the body from the harmful effects of physical stress."

"This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study has delivered ground breaking results that have clearly shown that highly purified quercetin, a natural plant compound, can prevent viral illness," said Dr. David Nieman, a professor in Appalachian State University's Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science who led the study. "The future of healthy beverages is clearly to combine quercetin with other advanced supplements."

"The results of the DARPA-funded Appalachian State study reinforce what we've learned about the beneficial effects of quercetin from previous physical endurance tests performed at Pepperdine University," said Marcus Elliot, M.D., a Harvard-trained physician and world leader in sports performance who serves as the head of New Sun Nutrition's Scientific Advisory Board. "It's important to note that the body's physiological response to stress is the same, whether induced by extreme physical activity, or a highly stressful week at the office, so quercetin offers significant health benefits to elite athletes as well as the average hard working professional."