Red wine pill tested for obesity
Wednesday November 2nd, 2011
A chemical found in red wine may prove a potent pill for people with obesity problems, Dutch researchers reported yesterday.
A
small-scale trial in the Netherlands found dramatic effects on the metabolism
from taking a daily dose of the chemical resveratrol.
The study of 11 obese men found a mainly healthy impact of taking the treatment.
Participants enjoyed a drop in blood pressure, reduced blood sugar levels and a reduction of fat levels in the liver. They also had a lower metabolic rate, especially when sleeping - although by burning fewer calories they might find they shed less fat.
The findings have been reported in the journal Cell Metabolism.
The researchers claim the effects are as powerful as going on a fast to restrict calories.
Researcher Patrick Schrauwen, of Maastricht University, said: "We saw a lot of small effects, but consistently pointing in a good direction of improved metabolic health.
He added: "The immediate reduction in sleep metabolic rate was particularly striking.
"Of course, in the case of obesity, it's not entirely clear whether burning fewer calories is a good or a bad thing. It does suggest that participants' cells were operating more efficiently, as they do following calorie restriction."
Cell Metabolism 14, 612–622, November 2, 2011 doi 10.1016/j.cmet.2011.10.002
Tags: Diet & Food | Drug and Alcohol Abuse | Europe
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