New fruit in Tesco and M&S improves high cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar

New fruit in Tesco and M&S improves high cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar According to research, the fruit can improve blood flow and reduce 'bad' cholesterol A new fruit that has landed in Tesco, M&S and Ocado for a limited time could help people trying to manage their high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Known as Boombites, these new red berry grapes are being praised by health specialists not only for their vibrant flavour, but also for what's inside. It comes as a new research review has been published in Nutrients Journal titled Polyphenols and Cardiovascular Health: Emerging Relevance for Blueberries, Grapes and Red-Fleshed Table Grapes. The study found that compounds in naturally red-fleshed grapes, known as red berry grapes, could help support heart health alongside a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Dr Emma Derbyshire, public health nutritionist and co-author of the new paper, said: "A daily diet of five fruit and vegetables including the colourful addition to your five-a-day, red berry grapes, as well as being active, can potentially help to improve blood flow and lower levels of bad cholesterol, which all help support our heart health." She added: "And if you were after a snack that delivers on both taste and nutrition, red bed grapes, including those marketing under the Boombites brands, do just that." Boombites Red Berry grapes are now being stocked by UK retailers, after a successful trial pilot last year. The grapes are said to be the first in the world to have a deep red, skin-to-centre colour throughout the whole grape. The fruit will be on sale in M&S and Tesco stores, and Ocado online, for a limited time only - until October 2026. How can eating red berry grapes be good for you? The research published in the journal analyses various grapes and blueberries, but it seems that red-berry grapes have taken centre stage. Research shows they generally have higher levels of beneficial natural plant compounds, including anthocyanins (a type of polyphenol), other polyphenols, and resveratrol. Red berry grapes contain resveratrol and antioxidant compounds, just like blueberries. However, what makes red berry grapes so unique is that they have six times more anthocyanins than a traditional black-skinned table grape. Dr Emma Derbyshire said: "Vibrant red berry grapes are rich in colour from the inside-out including the skin, thanks to the anthocyanins, and unlike many grapes, their pigments are present throughout the fruit. The review brings together research examining how polyphenol-rich fruits and their naturally occurring compounds may influence cardiovascular risk markers. It also identifies red-fleshed table grapes as an emerging area of interest." Dr Roy Jogiya, Chief Medical Advisor from Heart Research UK, a charity at the forefront of the detection and treatment of heart diseases, said: "Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the UK. Many cases of cardiovascular disease can be prevented or delayed through healthy lifestyle choices, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. "Eating the rainbow is a simple way to increase the variety of beneficial plant compounds in your diet and support long-term heart health. However, the greatest benefits come not from a single dietary nutrient, but from consistently eating a varied, plant-rich diet alongside other healthy lifestyle habits. Red berry grapes are one example of many fruits that provide beneficial polyphenols and can form part of a colourful, balanced diet." How good are red grapes for cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar? An 80g handful of delicious Boombites red berry grapes counts towards one of your five-a-day. Each 125g serving contains less than 100 calories. The grapes also contain fibre, vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamine, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Dr Emma Derbyshire added: "Some of the studies within the Nutrients review paper reported reductions in total cholesterol and LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. For example, in an eight-week study, participants with high cholesterol who consumed 500g of red grapes daily, experienced reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, helping to support good heart health." Co-author, Professor José Abellán-Alemán a prominent Professor of medicine, Director of the Cardiovascular Risk Chair at the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) and with a specialist in Medicine and Cardiovascular Risk, said: "Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance which at times is essential for your body to function. But too much of the wrong kind can build up on the walls of your arteries, narrowing your blood vessels and this is bad news for our heart health. This latest research paper in Nutrients journal, discovered that several studies found improvements in blood pressure - vital for good, vascular health." According to research, a diet rich in polyphenols can potentially help to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 46%, while resveratrol is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help manage blood pressure. As a result, polyphenols, resveratrol, and anthocyanins are thought to contribute to various wellness benefits, including vascular health. Research from the Spanish tech centre AINIA shows that the unique combination of polyphenols in these red-fleshed grapes alters how sugars are absorbed in the gut, resulting in reduced glucose absorption even though they taste sweet. These grapes are packed with fibre and beneficial plant compounds like anthocyanins and resveratrol, which support insulin response and help manage blood sugar levels. Experts point out that they offer a lower-glycemic-index (GI) option for snacks compared to regular high-sugar fruits, but it's still important to watch portion sizes. How were the new red grapes created? Dr Nisa Aslam, GP and co-author of the new paper, says: "Red berry grapes have been found to be abundant in resveratrol and antioxidants, just like blueberries, which help support your body’s cells from damage caused by everyday stress, diet and environmental factors such as the sun. "It took thousands of different combinations of small and soft, red-fleshed wine grapes with large, sweet, and crunchy seedless table grapes to come up with the new red berry grapes. This new category has the beautiful visual impact of a berry, combined with the sweetness, crunch and convenience of a premium seedless table grape."