Eating more grapes may support your heart health and reduce harmful inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome. Research at the University of Connecticut shows that polyphenols, natural chemicals found in grapes, may help reduce blood pressure, improve blood flow and fight inflammation that can lead to atherosclerosis.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health problems that frequently occur simultaneously and increase your risk for diabetes and heart disease. They include elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, low levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and high levels of blood triglycerides (blood fats). Metabolic syndrome is a major public health concern and is on the rise in the U.S.

“These results suggest that consuming grapes can improve important risk factors associated with heart disease, in a population that is already at higher risk,” says researcher Maria Luz Fernandez. “This further supports the accumulating evidence that grapes can positively influence heart health, and extends it to men with metabolic syndrome.”