A relatively new offering among some health food and supplement retailers may help prevent diseases ranging from cancer to obesity and may help improve overall health, according to a new study.

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture say chokeberries can help reduce inflammation, regulate weight gain and improve blood sugar.

Scientists fed chokeberry extract to prediabetic rats over a six-week period. Then, they compared their body weight, body fat, blood glucose regulation and other molecular markers for inflammation with animals that did not receive the extract.

They found that the rats who consumed the chokeberries weighed less, had lower body fat, lower blood glucose and reduced levels of plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol when compared to the control animals.

Researchers say these differences would theoretically lead to lower risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in humans.

In addition, the study documented several alterations in expression of genes that would likely lead to reduced chronic inflammation and perhaps even lower cancer risk.

Scientists say the healthful benefits of the berries most likely come from their unusually high levels of substances called anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants.

The bitter, bright red and dark purple fruit are most commonly found in fruit juice blends, jellies, and sweetened syrups.