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(Best Syndication News) – The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) completed a study that investigated the effects on cholesterol levels in hamsters that were fed blueberry peels and pulp leftovers. The study was led by USDA chemist, Wallace H. Yokoyama. The results of the study showed that the hamsters fed the blueberry enhanced high fat diet had better cholesterol levels compared to the hamsters that had just a high fat diet. The study will be published in the May/June 2011 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.
Since the study was conducted on hamsters, more research would be needed for humans to confirm the same health benefit. The control group was just fed the high fat diet, there were three test groups that were fed the high fat diet along with either blueberry skins, fiber extracted from the peels, or polyphenols which give the fruit its color.