Posted by Dr. Colin Campbell on Jul 23, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Metabolic syndrome is a group of syndromes that occur together including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar levels (just under diabetic levels), excess fat levels around the waist, or low levels of the good cholesterol (HDL) and increased blood triglycerides . These syndromes individually and more so together , increase that person’s risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is a major public health concern in the US and Canada– with health professionals noticing its occurrence in younger and younger individuals. Grapes (red, green and black) may hold part of the answer to metabolic syndrome. In a recent student done at the University of Michigan, researchers studied the effects of a typical US, metabolic syndrome causing diet – one group with grapes added and one without– on rats. They found significantly less inflammatory markers throughout the body but most significantly and importantly in the liver and abdominal fat tissue. They also found less liver, kidney and abdominal fat weight compared to the group not getting the grapes. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are influenced by inflammation and oxidative stress and the grapes, specifically their polyphenol, have shown promise in combating these stressors.