Red wine can help you lose weight

Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes, has been found to reduce weight gain by turning “white” fat into calorie-burning “brown” fat.

As reported by The Independent, recent research published in the International Journal of Obesity saw scientists give mice the human equivalent of 12 ounces of resveratrol a day.

The study found that the mice gained 40% less weight than the rodents that weren’t given any resveratrol.

Scientists believe the lack of weight gain occurred as the resveratrol helped the mice turn their excess “white” fat to active, calorie-burning “brown” fat.

Lead researcher in the study, Professor Min Du of Washington State University said: “Polyphenols in fruit, including resveratrol, increase gene expression that enhances the oxidation of dietary fats so the body won’t be overloaded.

“They convert white fat into beige fat which burns fats off as heat, helping to keep the body in balance and prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction. We are using resveratrol as a representative for all the polyphenols.”

Red grapes, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and apples are rich in resveratrol, which is also present in red wine.

However, Professor Du warned that many of the beneficial components in wine “get filtered out during the wine production process.”