Eating blueberries could cut bad cholesterol and prevent clogged arteries, according to American research.

The fruit contains a chemical, pterostilbene, which works in a similar way to drugs used to reduce harmful levels of cholesterol and could offer a good alternative to those patients susceptible to side-effects from medication.

Scientists from the US department of agriculture studied the effects of four different blueberry compounds on the cells and found the most effective results were derived from pterostilbene, which is an antioxidant also found in red wine and grapes.