Shoppers will find the fruit in Tesco and M&S stores (Image: Getty )
A new fruit now available in Tesco, M&S and Ocado for a limited period could assist those attempting to control their high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Marketed as Boombites, these innovative red berry grapes are receiving acclaim from health experts not just for their bold taste, but also for their nutritional properties.
This follows the publication of fresh research in Nutrients Journal entitled Polyphenols and Cardiovascular Health: Emerging Relevance for Blueberries, Grapes and Red-Fleshed Table Grapes. The study discovered that compounds found in naturally red-fleshed grapes, referred to as red berry grapes, may help promote cardiovascular health when combined with a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Dr Emma Derbyshire, public health nutritionist and co-author of the new paper, said: “A daily diet of five fruit and vegetables including the colourful addition to your five-a-day, red berry grapes, as well as being active, can potentially help to improve blood flow and lower levels of bad cholesterol, which all help support our heart health.”
She added: “And if you were after a snack that delivers on both taste and nutrition, red bed grapes, including those marketing under the Boombites brands, do just that.”
Boombites Red Berry grapes are now being stocked by UK retailers, following a successful trial pilot last year. These grapes are believed to be the first in the world to boast a deep red, skin-to-centre colour running throughout the entire fruit, reports the Mirror.
Available for a limited period only until October 2026, the grapes will be stocked in M&S and Tesco stores, as well as on Ocado online.
How can eating red berry grapes benefit your health?
Research published in the journal examines a range of grapes and blueberries, though red berry grapes have firmly stolen the spotlight. Studies indicate they typically contain higher concentrations of beneficial natural plant compounds, including anthocyanins (a type of polyphenol), additional polyphenols, and resveratrol.
Much like blueberries, red berry grapes are packed with resveratrol and antioxidant compounds. What sets them apart, however, is their remarkable anthocyanin content — boasting six times more than a conventional black-skinned table grape.
Experts say the superfruit is giving blueberries a run for their money (Image: Boombites)
Dr Emma Derbyshire commented: “Vibrant red berry grapes are rich in colour from the inside-out including the skin, thanks to the anthocyanins, and unlike many grapes, their pigments are present throughout the fruit. The review brings together research examining how polyphenol-rich fruits and their naturally occurring compounds may influence cardiovascular risk markers. It also identifies red-fleshed table grapes as an emerging area of interest.”
Dr Roy Jogiya, Chief Medical Advisor from Heart Research UK, a charity at the forefront of the detection and treatment of heart diseases, said: “Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the UK. Many cases of cardiovascular disease can be prevented or delayed through healthy lifestyle choices, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
“Eating the rainbow is a simple way to increase the variety of beneficial plant compounds in your diet and support long-term heart health. However, the greatest benefits come not from a single dietary nutrient, but from consistently eating a varied, plant-rich diet alongside other healthy lifestyle habits. Red berry grapes are one example of many fruits that provide beneficial polyphenols and can form part of a colourful, balanced diet.”
Boombites’ Red Berry Grapes (Image: BOOMBITES)Just how beneficial are red grapes for cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels?
A single 80g handful of Boombites red berry grapes contributes towards one of your five-a-day portions. Each 125g serving amounts to fewer than 100 calories.
Furthermore, the grapes are packed with fibre, vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamine, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Dr Emma Derbyshire added: “Some of the studies within the Nutrients review paper reported reductions in total cholesterol and LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. For example, in an eight-week study, participants with high cholesterol who consumed 500g of red grapes daily, experienced reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, helping to support good heart health.”
Co-author Professor José Abellán-Alemán, a distinguished Professor of medicine, Director of the Cardiovascular Risk Chair at the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) and specialist in Medicine and Cardiovascular Risk, said: “Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance which at times is essential for your body to function. But too much of the wrong kind can build up on the walls of your arteries, narrowing your blood vessels and this is bad news for our heart health. This latest research paper in Nutrients journal, discovered that several studies found improvements in blood pressure – vital for good, vascular health.”
Research suggests that consuming a diet abundant in polyphenols may potentially lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 46%, while resveratrol is recognised for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics, which can assist in managing blood pressure. Consequently, polyphenols, resveratrol and anthocyanins are believed to offer numerous wellness advantages, including supporting vascular health.
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Studies conducted by Spanish technology centre AINIA reveal that the distinctive blend of polyphenols found in these red-fleshed grapes modifies the way sugars are processed in the digestive system, leading to lower glucose absorption despite their naturally sweet flavour. Bursting with fibre and beneficial plant compounds such as anthocyanins and resveratrol, these grapes actively support insulin response and assist in regulating blood sugar levels.
Nutrition specialists highlight that they present a lower-glycaemic-index (GI) snacking alternative compared to conventional high-sugar fruits, though monitoring portion sizes remains essential.
How were the new red grapes created?
Dr Nisa Aslam, GP and co-author of the new paper, says: “Red berry grapes have been found to be abundant in resveratrol and antioxidants, just like blueberries, which help support your body’s cells from damage caused by everyday stress, diet and environmental factors such as the sun.
“It took thousands of different combinations of small and soft, red-fleshed wine grapes with large, sweet, and crunchy seedless table grapes to come up with the new red berry grapes. This new category has the beautiful visual impact of a berry, combined with the sweetness, crunch and convenience of a premium seedless table grape.”