A new superfruit has arrived in the UK, promising to help balance blood sugar, control appetite, and support weight loss. The Red Berry Grape, a natural cross between a table grape and a rare wine grape, is now available at Marks & Spencer and Ocado for a limited time.
Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a member of the Red Berry Grape Advisory Board, said: “Hitting the ‘sweet spot’ in which you can enjoy some sweet food without playing havoc with your blood sugar levels is a common goal.” She noted that with 4.6 million people in the UK diagnosed with diabetes, and 64 per cent overweight or obese, there is a strong consumer appetite for blood sugar-friendly foods.
Research commissioned by the Red Berry Grape Advisory Board found that 60 per cent of adults have tried to cut back on sugar, and a further 10 per cent recognise they should. The new grapes, marketed as BOOMBITES Red Berry Grapes, are described as “a berry on the inside and a grape on the outside”.
Evolving research from Spain’s AINIA technology centre suggests that despite similar fructose levels to standard grapes, the Red Berry Grape shows significantly lower glucose uptake. This is attributed to its high polyphenol and fibre content, which appears to slow glucose absorption. Testing by the University of Murcia found the grapes contain three times more resveratrol than blueberries, contributing to their superfruit status.
Ludlam-Raine added: “This has major implications for weight control, insulin response and dietary advice around fruit consumption, because many people restrict intakes of these fruits rich in antioxidants because of concerns about the amount of sugar in fruit.”
