Scientists have known for years about the chemical resveratrol which is found in fruits, vegetables and grape skins (hence red wine benefits). Studies in mice have shown that this compound increases muscle endurance by increasing the number of mitochondria within muscle cells. For those of you who have forgotten Biology 101, mitochondria are the power producing components within the cell.

In addition to increasing muscle endurance, resveratrol also helps keep people slim. Because mitochondria burn fat cells for fuel, and because resveratrol produces more mitochondria, more fat is burned in the body.

Other benefits of resveratrol include increased bone density, stronger hearts and possibly anti-aging properties although recent studies show that while resveratrol might protect brain cells from oxidation, the mice died at a younger age.

So what does this mean for the average person looking for ways to improve health, endurance and possibly longevity?

Firstly, resveratrol has a fairly low potency. The mice in the studies had to take massive doses of the compound for benefits to occur. Johan Auwerx at the Institue of Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology in Illkirch, France reports that a person would need to drink 100 glasses of wine each day to achieve the benefits. 

Secondly, the studies have been conducted in mice and not humans. As expected, the more research that is conducted, more conflicting results occur.

Aging studies in dogs, mice, worms and yeast have shown fairly conclusively, that eating less leads to longer life. So if that’s your goal, consider consuming calories between 30 to 50% (any maybe drink more wine instead?)

All this is well and good but let’s put this into some economic perspective. Yes we all want a good, sturdy body to carry us into our elderly years, but if we truly end up living longer, say even another 20 years, at what age do we retire? Can we afford to live longer? If our bodies hold up but not our minds, what then?

For now, I’m going to (try to) control my healthy diet, build up bone density and muscle endurance through regular (sigh) exercise and definitely (!) enjoy my glass of wine with dinner.