Eating grapes could lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to a study at the University of Michigan. Researchers studied how eating grapes affected rats. A powder made from red, green and black grapes was mixed into the animals' food, which was meant to mimic a high-fat diet common in the U.S.

After three months, rats that received the grape-enriched diet had lower blood pressure, better heart function and reduced indicators of inflammation in the heart and the blood than rats who received no grape powder. The effects were seen even though the grape-fed animals had no change in body weight.

Results seen in animals do not always translate into people, but researchers were optimistic. "The possible reasoning behind the lessening of metabolic syndrome is that the phytochemicals were active in protecting the heart cells from the damaging effects of metabolic syndrome," said Dr. Steven Bolling.