Can resveratrol fight obesity?

So, how do the French eat all those high-fat foods and not gain weight? Portion size plays a big role. But red wine may help, too.

Grapes and red wine both contain resveratrol, a compound that reduces the number of fat cells, according to University of Ulm researchers at The Endocrine Society’s 90th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Their cell-based study found that “resveratrol inhibited the pre-fat cells from increasing and prevented them from converting into mature fat cells. Also, resveratrol hindered fat storage.” Previous studies concluded that the compound prevented mice from experiencing obesity-related health problems, too.

But don’t go out and buy a case of red wine just yet. More research needs to be done, especially because having two or more drinks a day may increase your risk of breast cancer. Still, long-term studies may ultimately lead to a safe, resveratrol-based obesity treatment or preventative solution.

In the meantime, when I do indulge, I think I’ll make mine a red!