A study has led to buzz after finding that an antioxidant found in wine could be linked to weight loss.
Resveratrol has been touted by scientists as some sort of miracle thing for a good few years now. And there is another new study, this time by researchers at Washington State University and published in the International Journal of Obesity, claiming that the antioxidant found in fruit can change excess white fat into energy-burning beige fat.
'They convert white fat into beige fat that burns lipids off as heat – helping to keep the body in balance and prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction,' said Professor of animal sciences Min Du, whose study involved feeding mice a high fat diet.
The mice who consumed Resveratrol in amounts equivalent to 12 ounces of fruit per day for humans gained around 40 per cent less weight than the other control group of mice.
However, while the internet is alight with articles telling everyone to let loose, grab a bottle of vino and reap the benefits of a slimmer lifestyle, unfortunately life is never that simple. And it falls to us to be the sensible big sisters in this scenario.
Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in fruit. And yes, while wine is made from grapes this doesn't mean you can substitute one of your five a day with a bottle of Chardonnay and expect the same results as most wines contain 'only a fraction' of the resveratrol found in grapes.
'Many of the beneficial polyphenols are insoluble and get filtered out during the wine production process,' added Du.
To increase your intake of polyphenol compounds it's advisable to eat fruits (two or three servings a day) such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and apples.
It's also worth stressing that the above study was conducted on mice, not wine-drinking human beings.
Drinking wine isn't exactly going to help you keep the pounds off but you can always reward yourself with a glass of Pinot Grigio after a hardcore session at the gym?
Bottoms up, ladies (quite literally). And stretch, and stretch…
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
