New study finds this fruit to help get rid of Belly Fat!
New research shows that eating Blueberries will help with getting rid of FAT around the belly and over
great health benefits. The study was done at the University Michigan’s Cardiovascular Center and presented recently at the Experimental Biology Convention. Blueberries have a high content of phytochemicals, which are believed to play a significant role in slimming down your belly. The blueberries in the study were freeze dried and mixed into the diet after being crushed into a powder. They were fed to rats in a lab and although there needs to be more studies, the results could suggest that eating blueberries can have some great benefits. The rats were fed a diet that was either low-fat or high fat.
The researchers studied rats that were from a breed know for being overweight. 2 percent of that diet came from the Blueberries.
Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are two growing health concerns and the research indicates that the anti-oxidants in blueberries are the reason the study found that it helped reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
The 90 day study showed that the rats that ate the blueberries reduced fat in their abs, lowered their cholesterol, improved glucose and insulin levels, and lowered triglycerides.
The best health benefits came to those who ate both blueberries and a low-fat diet. Regular blueberry intake reduced metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. This group also lost more weight, reduced liver mass, and had a lower body mass than high fat diets in the research.
Why is the reduced liver mass important? A tell tale sign of diabetes is an enlarged liver. One of the results of eating a high fat diet and obesity is fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome.
In a news release, E. Mitchell Seymour, said, “Some measurements were changed by blueberry even if the rats were on a high fat diet.” Seymour, M.S., is the lead researcher and manager of the U-M Cardioprotection Research Laboratory. “We found by looking at fat muscle tissue, that blueberry intake affected genes related to fat-burning and storage. Looking at muscle tissue, we saw altered genes related to glucose uptake.”
Steven Bolling, M.D., a U-M heart surgeon and head of the Cardioprotection Laboratory, says: “The benefits of eating fruits and vegetables has been well-researched, but our findings in regard to blueberries shows the naturally occurring chemicals they contain, such as anthocyanins, show promise in mitigating these health conditions.”
If you look at most well-balanced diets, you will see a lot of fruits and vegetables on the menu. There are many studies that point to the health benefits of eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables. This study only focuses on Blueberries which alone can help. As stated earlier, more tests are needed to be done, but it would not hurt to begin eating more Blueberries and see what your results are.
SOURCES: Experimental Biology 2009, New Orleans, April 18-22, 2009. News release, University of Michigan.
