It’s a well-known fact that blueberries are good for your health. They’re packed with antioxidants, chemicals that combat dangerous chemicals known as free radicals in our bodies. A new study suggests that blueberries may have another health advantage for those consuming a high-fat diet.

Two common adverse effects of obesity are elevated blood pressure and inflammation. Wild blueberries, known as bilberries, have been observed helping to combat these side effects.

Researchers sought to observe the effects of bilberries when introduced to a high-fat diet. To simulate the effects, they divided mice into three groups (along with a control group) and fed them varied high-fat diets. One group ate only the fatty diet, while the other two group’s diets were supplemented with five and 10 percent bilberries. These mice were then observed over a period of three months.

After three months, the researchers assessed and compared the different groups. They assessed the mice’s insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, weight gain and a variety of other indicators of obesity-related effects.

The mice that were fed the high-fat diet alone suffered the most weight gain and increased inflammation and blood pressure. Mice that were fed bilberries showed less drastic weight gain and it was found that their diet had a positive effect on their inflammatory responses.

It’s worth noting that the mice fed five percent bilberries did not exhibit all of the same positive effects as the 10 percent group. In fact, that group showed the greatest increase in body fat percentages of the three. While the positive effects on inflammation carried over both groups, further research will be needed to examine the longitudinal effects of diets supplemented by bilberries.

The research was originally published in the publication PLOS ONE.