Can Grapes Protect Against Metabolic Syndrome-Related Organ Damage?

According to research that was presented at the Experimental Biology Conference in Boston, eating grapes may protect against the damage that is created by the progression of metabolic syndrome. It is the natural components called polyphenols that are thought to bring these beneficial effects.

The study, which was led by chief investigator E. Mitchell Syemour, Ph.D of the University of Michigan Health System included the effects of a high fat, American diet. One study was created with the use of grapes and one was implemented without them. The fat tissue, heart, kidneys, and liver was all studied in obesity-prone rats. Grapes were used in different varieties (green/red/black) and consisted of a freeze-dried grape powder. This powder was integrated into the animal’s diet for 90 days.

The study showed that three months of the grape-enriched diet reduced the inflammatory markers in the body, but more thoroughly in the liver and abdominal fat tissue. Also, abdominal, kidney and liver fat weight was reduced as well.

Metabolic syndrome has many different conditions that happen in sync with one another such as increased blood sugar and blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist, increased blood triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol levels. All of these combined makes the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease higher. However, as many studies have now shown, grapes appear to lower that risk.

Seymour said, “Our study suggests that a grape-enriched diet may play a critical role in protecting against metabolic syndrome and the toll it takes on the body and its organs. Both inflammation and oxidative stress play a role in cardiovascular disease progression and organ dysfunction in Type 2 diabetes. Grape intake impacted both of these components in several tissues which is a very promising finding.”