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Blueberry juice may prevent obesity, diabetes

September 2, 2009 – Canadian scientists say they may have a new tool in preventing and managing both diabetes and obesity.

September 2, 2009 – Canadian scientists say they may have a new tool in preventing and managing both diabetes and obesity.

Researchers at the Universite de Montreal say they’ve found that a form of enhanced blueberry juice has stopped the progression of diabetes in mice.

Pierre Haddad, a pharmacology professor at the university, says the research team used blueberry juice that was transformed by a bacteria on the skin of lowbush blueberries.

They found the antioxidant-enhanced juice reduced blood sugar levels in the mice, which is critical to the onset of both conditions.

Haddad says it’s not yet clear why the juice prevented diabetes or helped control blood sugar levels in mice with diabetes.

He says they will do further research to see if there are any harmful effects and, if not, try to begin testing on people.