By Charlotte Smith

Copyright walesonline

A unique new fruit has hit the shelves of UK supermarkets: red berry grapes. Officially called Boombites , they are being hailed as superfruits. They resemble regular grapes in taste, but inside, there is a ‘rich and juicy’ red pulp similar to a berry or cherry. This fruit is exclusively available at M&S and Ocado, priced at £3 per punnet. The new fruit boasts antioxidant levels on par with blueberries and triple the resveratrol content. The fruit is also abundant in anthocyanins – the same polyphenols that give superfoods like goji berries and cranberries their status. Boombites are associated with potential health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, protecting against cell damage, and promoting good gut health. Preliminary research suggests that these red berry grapes could help regulate blood sugar levels, offering slower glucose uptake despite their natural sweetness. This could be a game-changer for those who love fruit but also want to maintain their health without sacrificing flavour, reports the Mirror . Red berry grapes are poised to become an incredibly versatile new superfruit. Similar to table grapes, they make a delicious, healthy snack. Their high antioxidant content makes them ideal for pre- or post-workout consumption, or simply a perfect way to kick-start your day. These crimson berry grapes represent a natural hybrid between ‘some of the world’s finest’ eating grapes, which conventionally feature white flesh inside, and heritage grape varieties boasting red-fleshed fruit that were historically reserved for winemaking. To develop these innovative red berry grapes, thousands of different pairings of petite and tender, red-fleshed wine grapes with large, sweet, and crisp seedless eating grapes were required. Anthocyanins are polyphenols – naturally occurring plant compounds. They’re linked to health-boosting properties, including enhancements in cholesterol levels, blood vessel function and gut microbiome health. Public Health Nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire , PhD, who sits on a newly formed research and education information group known as the red berry grape Advisory Board, commented: “Dark fruits have soared in popularity over recent years as people become familiar with their high antioxidant content. The vibrant colour of the red berry grapes is down to high concentrations of anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that’s been linked to a wide range of health and wellness benefits.” Boombites also contain resveratrol , another naturally occurring polyphenol found in various plants, most famously grape skins, blueberries, raspberries, and peanuts. Resveratrol belongs to the stilbenoid family, a category of natural phenols that plants produce to protect against pathogens or damage. Resveratrol is recognised for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities and has been linked to the “French paradox”. This refers to the phenomenon that, despite consuming a diet high in saturated fats, France experiences lower heart disease rates than many similar nations . Resveratrol is believed to contribute to numerous health and well-being advantages . Scientists at the University of Murcia examined Boombites and discovered they contained three times more resveratrol than blueberries and equivalent antioxidant levels. Fresh research confirms that the innovative red berry grapes not only provide significantly higher concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols than conventional grape varieties, but also that their natural sugars are processed more gradually. It’s this effect on blood glucose levels that has sparked additional enthusiasm regarding their superfruit status. Studies from the technology centre AINIA in Valencia, Spain, indicate that whilst containing similar quantities of fructose, the novel red berry grape varieties demonstrated notably reduced glucose absorption compared to standard varieties. This occurs because the red berry grape contains abundant polyphenols and fibre, and collectively, this distinctive nutritional structure appears to play a part in moderating glucose uptake relative to other fruits. Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine, who sits on the red berry grape Advisory Board, explained: “In simple terms, this means that while new red berry grapes are sweet to the taste, the combination of phenols they contain alters the way these sugars are transported and absorbed in the gut. “This has major implications for weight control, insulin response and dietary advice around fruit consumption, because we know that many consumers restrict intakes of these fruits rich in antioxidants because of concerns about the amount of sugar in fruit.” Studies across populations demonstrate that a polyphenol-rich diet could potentially lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 46%. This occurs through various pathways, including decreased oxidative stress and inflammation, plus enhanced blood cholesterol levels, clotting function, and endothelial health – the term describing blood vessel integrity and flexibility . An observational investigation involving 3,420 elderly participants at elevated cardiovascular disease risk – placing them also at heightened diabetes risk – revealed a 28% decrease in new diabetes cases amongst those consuming the highest levels of polyphenols . Additional research has demonstrated that polyphenols help regulate insulin resistance through various pathways and work in combination with diabetes medications to boost their effectiveness . Dr Emma Derbyshire summarised her thoughts by saying: “The red berry grape breaks the rules. Not only is it packed with potential health benefits, but it’s unique in its appearance and offers a juicy, hydrating, rewarding taste. You’ll have to bite it to believe it!”