Grapes protect organs from damage caused
by metabolic syndrome
Consuming grapes may
help protect against organ damage associated with the progression of metabolic
syndrome, a new study has claimed. Natural
components found in grapes, known as polyphenols, are thought to be responsible
for its beneficial effects against metabolic syndrome, researchers found.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions
that occur together - increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level,
excess body fat around the waist or low HDL (the good cholesterol) and
increased blood triglycerides – significantly increasing the risk for heart
disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.
The new study, led by investigator E Mitchell
Seymour, of the University of Michigan Health System, studied the effects of a
high fat, American-style diet both with added grapes and without grapes (the
control diet) on the heart, liver, kidneys, and fat tissue in obesity-prone
rats. The grapes - a blend of red, green
and black varieties - were provided as a freeze-dried grape powder and
integrated into the animals' diets for 90 days.
The results showed that three months of a
grape-enriched diet significantly reduced inflammatory markers throughout the
body, but most significantly in the liver and in abdominal fat tissue. Consuming
grapes also reduced liver, kidney and abdominal fat weight, compared with those
consuming the control diet. Additionally, grape intake increased markers of
antioxidant defense, particularly in the liver and kidneys.
Intake of fruits and vegetables is thought to
reduce these risks, and grapes have shown benefits in multiple studies. "Our
study suggests that a grape-enriched diet may play a critical role in
protecting against metabolic syndrome and the toll it takes on the body and its
organs," said Seymour.
"Both inflammation and oxidative stress
play a role in cardiovascular disease progression and organ dysfunction in Type
2 diabetes. Grape intake impacted both of these components in several tissues
which is a very promising finding," Seymour said.
The research was presented at the Experimental
Biology conference in Boston.
Source: www.indianexpress.com
25.04.2013
Take stairs one at a time, burn
calories
Although more energy is initially expended when taking
two steps per stride, but over time more energy gets burnt up when you take
your time.
Scientists from the University
of Roehampton found that climbing five flights of stairs five times a week burnt an average of 302
calories if the stairs were taken one at a time, but taking two steps with
every stride will only burn 260 calories.
"We were really interested
to find out what expended more energy overall - attacking the stairs two at a
time and climbing them quickly, or taking them more sedately one step at a
time and reaching the top more slowly," the Daily Mail quoted Dr Lewis
Halsey as saying.
"Our study reported the
calories burned ascending stairs, the potential weight loss value of climbing stairs if
done regularly and frequently during the week, and also the different energy
costs of ascending stairs one step at a time versus two steps at a time.
"And our conclusion: it is
better to take the stairs one at a time, if you want to burn the most
calories," Halsey added.
Taking the stairs one at a time
may result in faster rates of muscle shortening, which increases energy
turnover.
Source: www.timesofindia.com
25.04.2013
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