Blueberries show promise in preventing obesity--study

In a latest research at the Texas Women's University led by a graduate student Shiwani Moghe, blueberries are found to inhibit the development of body's fat cells and downsize them by up to three quarters.

According to scientists, the dark-purple berries can potentially destroy existing fat cells and impede the formation of new ones. The presence of polyphenols in substantially high levels, it has been found, does the trick.

Polyphenols in blueberry promising
The researchers chose a mice group for a tissue examination. They focused on the probable effects of polyphenol on fat cells and inhibiton of lipolysis, the breakdown of active fats.

Polyphenols are organic chemicals known to possess a host of health benefits.

The results led Moghe and her team to discover a ‘promise’ in the fruit. They presented the findings at the Experimental Biology 2011 meeting for the 'American Society for Nutrition.'

The highest dose of polyphenols were seen to bring down tissue lipids by nearly three quarters at 73 percent while the lowest trimmed the content by over a quarter at 27 percent.

Moghe leaves a cue to further investigations to be carried out on humans.

She affirmed, “We still need to test this dose in humans, to make sure there are no adverse effects and to see if the doses are effective.

"The promise is there for blueberries to help reduce fat tissue from forming in the body."

Science behind blueberry's power
Coming from a health family, blueberries are abounding in nutrients and come with very low calories. It is a wonderful source of vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber.

A previous study by 'University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center' declared blueberries to help get rid of belly fat as well as cardiovascular risks and metabolic syndrome.

Touted as a “superfruit," blueberries safeguard not just against cardiac risks but also type-2 diabetes and cancer.

In a research at Tufts University, the fruit had received highest rating in its antioxidant capacity. It is replete with antioxidant photonutrients known as anthocyanidins.

Last but not the least, it boosts vision, brain health, and digestion.