Adding a fruit to one’s diet may offer a healthy alternative to those looking to improve heart function and reduce their risk for some diseases.

New research suggests eating blueberries may lead to lower diabetes risk and increase cardiovascular health, and the benefits may increase with a low-fat diet.

Scientists at the University of Michigan found that when they gave laboratory animals a blueberry powder, fasting glucose levels and insulin sensitivity were reportedly better than in the control group.

The blueberry-eating group also showed lower abdominal fat, triglycerides level and cholesterol measures than in the control group, the study noted.

"We found by looking at fat muscle tissue, that blueberry intake affected genes related to fat-burning and storage," said lead researcher E. Mitchell Seymour. "Looking at muscle tissue, we saw altered genes related to glucose uptake."

Anthocyanins, the chemicals linked to the potential benefits, may also improve cancer prevention, according to researchers at Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center who found evidence of reduced esophageal cancer risk in lab animals who consumed anthocyanin-rich black raspberries.