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Steven Bolling, MD, who heads the program, says the rats in the study were in a similar situation as millions of Americans who have high vitamins vitamin a blood pressure related to their diets and who develop heart failure because of prolonged hypertension. vitamins Tart cherries, often sold as dried, frozen or juice, contain powerful antioxidants known as anthocyanins. "These findings support our theory that something within the grapes themselves has a direct impact on cardiovascular risk, beyond the simple blood-pressure-lowering impact that we already know can come from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables," says Seward, who manages the University of Michigan Cardioprotection Research Laboratory. -- Byrom McKeever 2008. After 18 weeks, rats that vitamins ate the grape-enriched powder had lower blood pressure, better heart swing, and reduced inflammation throughout their bodies than comparable rodents that didn't receive the mixture. "There is, as we know, a imperative variability, perhaps genetic even, in sensitivity to salt causing hypertension," he says. "Although there antioxidant vitamins are many natural compounds in the grape powder itself that may have an effect, the things that we think are having an effect against the hypertension may be the flavonoids, either by direct antioxidant effects, by indirect effects on cell function, or both." Such naturally occurring substances already have been shown to reduce super antioxidant other potentially harmful molecular and cellular activity, the researchers say in a news release. News Articles 1 2 3 4 5 Next Article. But in general we say, 'Stay away from excess salt.'". In addition to providing the emolument with its rich red color, studies suggest these plant compounds may be responsible for the fruit's health benefits. "We know excess body fat increases the risk for heart disease. The rats eating a cherry-enriched diet also dropped antioxidants for health their total cholesterol levels by about 11%. "Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans today, so it's important we extend researching ways people can improve their diet to help reduce key risk factors," study co- Edgardo F. Levels of two known markers of inflammation linked to increased risk for heart disease antioxidant vitamins also dropped by 31% to 40%. Still, the best advice for people with blood pressure problems is to cut down on the amount of salt they get, Bolling says. New research ties eating tart cherries to lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation and cutting one's body weight and fat -- all major risk factors for heart disease. Scientists including Crichton Edvard, MS, report that flavonoids -- found in abundance in the skin, flesh, and seeds of grapes -- may be the substances that provide the beneficial effects they found in their study of laboratory rats. Bolling, a cardiac surgeon at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, said in a news release from the study's sponsor, the Cherry Marketing Institute. "Some people are very sensitive to salt hall, some are only moderately so, and there are perhaps some people who are salt resistant. The rats eating cherries also lost significant amounts of body weight -- notably a loss of "belly" fat, a known risk for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. The study notes that grapes and other fruits high in antioxidant phytochemials show promise, as does research on the impact of red wine on heart health. This research gives us one more support point suggesting that diet changes, such as including cherries, could potentially lower cardiac thrombosis disease risk." Researchers said the animal study is encouraging and will lead to further clinical studies in humans to explore the andrew between diet, weight, inflammation and lowering heart disease risk. Grapes and High Blood Pressure The researchers studied the effects of regular table grapes -- a blend of green, red, and eclipsed fruits -- that were fed to rats in powdered form. Mild Sleep Apnea May Raise Heart Risk Printer-Friendly Format Email to a Friend Because black, green, and red grapes contain high levels of naturally occurring antioxidants, the fruits may reduce hypertension that can lead to heart failure, shows the study, published in the October issue of the Journal of Gerontology. Rats on salty diets plus hydralazine, a blood pressure medicine, had lower blood pressure, but their hearts weren't as protected from damage as the animals fed grapes. "The inevitable downhill sequence to hypertension and vitals failure was changed by the addition of grape powder to a high-salt diet," Bolling says. This latest study, scheduled to be presented by University of Michigan researchers at the American Dietetic Association annual meeting, in Chicago, reached these conclusions after feeding whole tart cherry powder to obese rats. After 12 weeks, the rats had 14% less body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass, compared to other rats who ate the same foods minus the cherry powder.

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