Blackcurrants could provide protection against Alzheimer's disease, a New Zealand study has suggested.

The berry is known to be a nutritional powerhouse, bursting with more health promoting antioxidants than most other fruit and vegetables, including the mighty blueberry.

And it's these antioxidants, called anthocyanins, which help blackcurrants punch above their weight.

Researchers from the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand found that anthocyanins provide brain cells with a powerful protection against Alzheimer's by blocking oxidative stress and DNA damage.

Joanna Hilditch, chairman of the Blackcurrant Foundation, said: "Because British blackcurrants are grown and bred for their deep colour, our blackcurrants are the healthiest in the world.

"Packed full of antioxidants and vitamin c, it's hard to think of a more nutritious food."

She added: "Eating blackcurrants or drinking blackcurrant juice as part of a healthy diet, is an easy, natural way to improve your antioxidant intake and maintain a healthy lifestyle."

"This is a real opportunity for manufacturers and retailers to include more blackcurrants in their products and on their shelves. It is also a chance to support home-grown produce."

Alzheimer's, a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, affects an estimated 4.5 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association.