Diabetes and heart disease could be reduced by grapes

According to American research, grapes could lower blood pressure, improve the function of the heart and reduce other risk factors such as heart disease and metabolic syndrome – and diabetes . The research team found that this was down to phytochemicals, antioxidants contained within the grape.
A diet enriched with grapes prevents risk factors for metabolic syndromen, which is often a precursor for type 2 diabetes . Rats were fed a mix of green, red and black grapes as part of a high-fat diet.
Dr. Steven Bolling was reported as commenting: “The possible reasoning behind the lessening of metabolic syndrome is that the phytochemicals were active in protecting the heart cells from the damaging effects of metabolic syndrome. In the rats, inflammation of the heart and heart function was maintained far better. Although there’s not a particular direct correlation between this study and what humans should do, it’s very interesting to postulate that a diet higher in phytochemical-rich fruits, such as grapes, may benefit humans.”