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Compounds in Red Grapes and Oranges can Treat Type 2 Diabetes

by Shirley Johanna on May 14 2016 2:15 PM

Compounds in Red Grapes and Oranges can Treat Type 2 Diabetes
Consume a mixture of red grapes and oranges to keep obesity, diabetes and heart diseases at bay, says a new study.
The study conducted by researchers at the University of Warwick found that a combination of two compounds in red grapes and oranges could improve the health of people with diabetes and heart disease.

Paul Thornalley, who led the research, said, “This is an incredibly exciting development and could have a massive impact on their ability to treat these diseases. As well as helping to treat diabetes and heart disease it could defuse the obesity time bomb.”

The researchers studied the two compounds found in fruits but not usually found together. The effects of a compound called trans-resveratrol (tRES), found in red grapes, and hesperetin (HESP), found in oranges were investigated. In a clinical trial was conducted to study the effect of the compounds. Thirty-two overweight and obese people within the 18-80 age range, who had a BMI between 25 - 40 participated in the trial.

The participants were given the fruit compound combination in the form of a supplement, which they were asked to take once a day for eight weeks. The subjects were asked to continue with their usual diets and not to increase physical activity during the study period.

Blood samples were taken from participants during the 8-week period and analyzed for sugar levels and other blood markers. The artery health of the participants was assessed by measuring artery wall flexibility.

The results showed that the compounds decreased blood glucose, improved insulin activity and boosted the health of arteries. The compounds increased a protein called glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) in the body which neutralizes a damaging sugar-derived compound called methylglyoxal (MG).

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The researchers noted that the participants who were given a placebo showed no such effects.

Thornalley pointed out that the doses of tRES and HESP used in this study are too high to get from fruit consumption.

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"As exciting as our breakthrough is it is important to stress that physical activity, diet, other lifestyle factors and current treatments should be adhered to," said Thornalley.

The researchers hope that their findings will encourage pharmaceutical companies to create a drug using the compounds, paving the way for a new treatment for obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases.

The study appears in the journal Diabetes.

Source-Medindia


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