A grape-enriched diet may prevent heart damage after years of high blood pressure, according to a new study.

Scientists from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center studied benefits of grapes beyond just lowering blood pressure which a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has long been known to facilitate.

In fact, they looked at specific natural antioxidants called phytochemicals which the researchers suspected stimulated a process in the genes that reduces damage to the heart muscle.

In the study, they compared blood pressure in two groups of laboratory animals on a high-sodium diet. One group consumed a grape powder consisting of a blend of green, red and black grape extracts and one received a mild dose of a common blood pressure drug.

After 18 weeks, the rats that received the grape powder had lower blood pressure, better circulation and fewer signs of heart muscle damage than those that did not receive grapes.

“There are the small changes that diet can bring, but the effect of grape intake on genes can have a greater impact on disease down the road,” says E. Mitchell Seymour, who led the research as part of his doctoral work in nutrition science at Michigan State University.

Health practitioners have also recommended exercise and nutritional supplements to help improve circulation.