Blueberry compound may help muscles burn fat, Japan study finds

A natural compound found in blueberries, grapes and other berries could help muscles burn excess fat instead of storing it, according to researchers in Japan. The findings could guide the development of foods and supplements aimed at reducing fat accumulation in muscle tissue.

Researchers at Shinshu University identified the compound, called pterostilbene, and found that it reduced fat buildup by increasing the breakdown of stored fat in laboratory tests using mouse muscle cells.

Pterostilbene works by protecting PPARδ, or PPAR-delta, a protein that helps cells burn fatty acids for energy. By preventing PPARδ from breaking down, the compound boosts the activity of genes involved in converting fat into energy.

“Our findings establish a scientific framework for developing functional foods and nutritional supplements that target muscle fat metabolism,” Associate Professor Takakazu Mitani said in a release from Shinshu University.

Excess fat inside muscle cells can interfere with how the body processes glucose and fatty acids, a problem linked to obesity, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and aging.

So far, the research has only been conducted on lab-grown mouse muscle cells. Scientists have not yet studied the effects in humans or other animals with more complex metabolisms, and it remains unclear whether the compound will produce similar results outside the laboratory.

The findings were published Sept. 1 in the journal Food Bioscience.