Tuesday, April 27, 2010
New study findings were presented at the Experimental Biology convention in Anaheim, California, showing the effect of grapes in the diet reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.Study of the Benefits of Grapes
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found in the animal study they conducted that adding grapes to a regular high-fat American style diet helped to prevent risk factors for metabolic syndrome which can be a precursor to developing type 2 diabetes. If a person has two or more of, can raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high insulin levels and increased fat around the waist. The University of Michigan Health System’s study found that grapes may decrease the risk of developing these conditions.
The study consisted of adding grape powder (derived from red, green and black grapes) to food given to one group of research rats while the other group of rats ate the same diet minus the grape powder. After three months, the group that ate the grape powder had lower blood pressure, lower triglyceride levels, reduced indicators of inflammation in the heart and blood and overall better heart function than the group that had no grape powder. The researches feel that the study shows that a grape-enriched diet can have positive effects in lowering the risk factors that can lead to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Why Grapes are Effective in Lowering Risk of Heart Disease
Grapes contain phytochemicals, a naturally occurring antioxidant, which is believed to be the main reason that grapes have health benefits. Phytochemicals help to protect heart cells from the damaging effects of metabolic syndrome. The rats that ate the grape powder showed low levels of inflammation, oxidative damage and other indicators of cardiac stress. The University of Michigan Health System plans on conducting further research this summer on the effects of grapes and other fruits containing high levels of antioxidant phytochemicals in lowering the risk of heart disease.
posted by emedinfo
@11:21 PM
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