http://www.healthsentinel.com/news.php?event=news_print_list_item&id=153
"Blueberries 'lower cholesterol'", BBC News, August 24, 2004,
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3591384.stm
Blueberries could provide an alternative way to lower cholesterol,
according to US researchers.
A compound in the fruits acted as effectively as a commercial drug
used to reduce levels of the "bad" form of cholesterol in rodents.
Although the results are preliminary, the Department of Agriculture
team thinks the antioxidant ingredient could be developed as a
treatment.
They presented their findings to an American Chemical Society meeting.
Antioxidant
Dr Agnes Rimando and her team studied the effect of the chemical and
three other blueberry compounds on rat liver cells.
Pterostilbene showed the most potent effect in stimulating a receptor
protein in the cells which plays an important role in lowering
cholesterol and other blood fats.
This is similar to the way the commercial cholesterol-lowering drug
ciprofibrate works.
Ciprofibrate is effective but can cause muscle pain and nausea in some
people.
But because the blueberry compound targets the liver cell receptor
more accurately, Dr Rimando believes it is likely to have fewer side
effects.
There were no signs of side effects in the study.
Similar antioxidants have already been identified in grapes and red
wine.
Other research suggests pterostilbene may help fight cancer and ward
off diabetes.
Dr Rimando said: "We are excited to learn that blueberries, which are
already known to be rich in healthy compounds, may also be a potent
weapon in the battle against obesity and heart disease."
But she said until studies were conducted in humans, it would be
impossible to know how many blueberries a person would need to eat to
lower their cholesterol.
Belinda Linden from the British Heart Foundation said: "Research has
suggested that natural chemicals found in fruit, including
blueberries, have potent antioxidant properties which may reduce the
harmful type of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL).
"This study claims that blueberries are particularly efficient at
reducing cholesterol in a laboratory - we will be interested to see if
similar results emerge from long-term studies involving people."
She said it was also important to remember that regular physical
activity combined with a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in
saturated fat was still the best way to combat high cholesterol and
reduce the risk of heart disease.