New research presented at the recent Experimental Biology conference in San Diego has found that the consumption of grapes could help reduce heart health risks for people with metabolic syndrome.
The study, which was led by Dr Maria Luz Fernandez of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut, found that natural components in grapes called polyphenols are thought to be responsible for the beneficial effects.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together – increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist or low HDL (the good cholesterol) and increased blood triglycerides – significantly increasing the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
The data, presented by Jacqueline Barona, a student working with Dr Fernandez, showed that for each of the study’s subjects, grape consumption resulted in significant decreases in blood pressure, improved blood flow (greater vasodilation), and decreases in a compound associated with inflammation.
'These results suggest that intake of grapes can improve important risk factors associated with heart disease, in a population that is already at higher risk,' said Fernandez. 'This further supports the accumulating evidence that grapes can positively influence heart health.'
