Amplify Series: Can a Little Purple Pill Really Change Your Game? A Chat with Scott from Curranz
The Purple Powerhouse
We caught up with Scott Cushman from Curranz – a guy who knows his stuff when it comes to supplements, natural health, and getting the most out of your body. What started as a quick yarn about blackcurrant capsules turned into a deep dive into performance, recovery, and why these little purple pills are doing a lot more than you’d think.
Scott’s been in the health industry for over a decade – working with pharmacies, supplement brands, and behind the scenes with Curranz, a New Zealand-grown business built around one powerful ingredient: blackcurrants.
Nigel: So first things first – what are Curranz?
Scott: Yeah, great question. Curranz is a supplement made from New Zealand-grown blackcurrants – pretty simple, but also really special.
Our berries are world-class. Thanks to the high UV here in Aotearoa (not so good for our skin, but great for the berries), our blackcurrants produce more anthocyanins than berries grown anywhere else. Anthocyanins are the compounds that give the berries their deep purple colour, and they’re powerful antioxidants. Basically, they’re the reason blackcurrants are such a game-changer for performance and recovery.
Nigel: Right, so what do they actually do?
Scott: The main thing is improved blood flow – up to 40-45% more. That’s massive. It means more oxygen to your muscles, quicker recovery, and faster clearance of oxidative stress after exercise. For anyone doing endurance work, weight training, or even just trying to stay sharp during the day – it’s a win.
But honestly, it’s not just about athletes. The benefits extend to things like cardiovascular health, insulin sensitivity, and even immune function.
Nigel: Are there any side effects?
Scott: They’re rare. A couple of people have mentioned sleep disturbances or a bit of a fast-moving digestive system, but nothing serious. It’s gentle on the gut because it’s just the good stuff – no fibre, just the extract. We don’t recommend it in the third trimester of pregnancy, or if you’ve got surgery coming up – because of that increased blood flow.
But generally? It’s a really clean product.
Nigel: What’s the story behind Curranz, how did you get involved?
Scott: It’s a family thing. My sister founded the company, and our dad, Mike, was a pharmacist who built the Clinicians supplement brand in NZ. He was into natural health before it was trendy – formulating supplements, running events, and helping people with tricky conditions that didn’t respond to standard treatments.
We kind of grew up in the industry. He’d make us drink wheatgrass and test early formulas on us – it was classic! But I saw first-hand how powerful natural health could be, and how much of a difference it can make in people’s lives. That stuck with me.
Nigel: What about the results people are getting?
Scott: Oh, there are so many stories. One that stands out is a woman in Australia who used to only run on a treadmill next to the bathroom—just in case. After starting Curranz, she was able to run outdoors again and ended up doing a half and full marathon back-to-back. That’s life-changing stuff.
We also hear from runners smashing PBs, people saying they feel sharper, fitter, and more energised overall. It’s always great to hear it’s making a difference.
Nigel: So it's not just for runners and triathletes then?
Scott: Not at all. While sportspeople have helped us spread the word, Curranz has shown benefits for everyday health too. There’s been research into cardiovascular health, liver inflammation, and even some more unusual stuff—like reducing nonenal odour (aka “old people smell,” if we’re being blunt!).
Cardiovascular health A Japanese study showed results equivalent to “turning back the clock” 10 years.
Insulin sensitivity Improved by up to 22%.
Liver inflammation Reduced by 24%.
Immune support & hay fever Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Even “old person smell” (nonenal odour) There’s a study for that too.
It helps with circulation, immunity, inflammation – all kinds of things. Honestly, it’s been tricky to market sometimes because it does so much.
Nigel: Where can people get it?
Scott: You can grab it straight from curranz.co.nz, or from a few other online retailers. Some trail runners and sports stores like ZeroTwenty2 stock it too – and if you know someone in the community, they might even have a discount code!
Final Thoughts
As someone who’s used Curranz personally, I (Nigel) can back this up. It’s been a noticeable boost to my energy, recovery, and performance – whether I’m training, coaching, or just staying sharp in everyday life. It’s rare to find something so simple that packs such a punch, and even better when it’s grown right here in NZ.
Big thanks to Scott for jumping on to share the story behind the science. If you’ve been curious about trying Curranz, this might just be your sign to give it a go.
