MAASTRICHT, Netherlands—Incorporating resveratrol-rich foods like red wine, chocolate and peanuts into a diet may help obese men improve metabolism and reduce their risk of diabetes, according to a new study published in the journal Cell Metabolism. The findings add to the growing evidence linking resveratrol to weight management.
Researchers at Maastricht University (UM) recruited 11 obese but otherwise healthy men to a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial. The men were given a placebo or a dietary supplement containing 150 mg of resveratrol daily for 30 days. After a 4-week washout period, they then took the other treatment option (i.e., resveratrol 150 mg for those who had taken placebo, or placebo for those who had taken resveratrol) for the next 30 days.
They found resveratrol affects energy metabolism through activation of the so-called ‘AMPK-SIRT1’ pathway, resulting in a decrease of blood glucose and insulin levels, less fat storage in the liver, enhancement of the mitochondrial function and reduction of levels of inflammation markers in blood. Resveratrol also lowered energy expenditure during sleep, suggesting it improves the total metabolic efficiency.
“This is a real scientific breakthrough," the researchers said. “For the first time, we demonstrated the health effects of resveratrol in humans. We also gained insight in how this occurs. Therefore, this study marks a starting point for further research to help improving the health status of the still rising number of people suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes."
