Red wine chemical could drive new treatments

A chemical found in red wine could be used in treatments for diabetes, dementia and heart disease after scientists discovered how it keeps us healthy.

Dr Andrew Murray said: 'you can get resveratrol from red wine, you would need to drink about 700 bottles to get a meaningful dose' Photo: ALAMY

It has long been known that resveratrol, a chemical found naturally in plant products including red wine, can prolong the lifespan and mimic the effects of a low-calorie diet.

But it was previously unclear exactly how resveratrol causes the boost of energy in our cells that provide this health benefit.

Now a team of researchers has shown it works by tricking the cell into thinking it is deprived of energy, causing it to increase production of energy-producing proteins.

The discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's, heart disease and diabetes either using resveratrol or stronger agents which work in the same way, US researchers said in a study published in the Cell journal.

Dr Andrew Murray, of Cambridge University, who was not involved in the study, said: "Although you can get resveratrol from red wine, you would need to drink about 700 bottles to get a meaningful dose.

"This study is important because the effects of resveratrol on the cell were identified, so that more potent drugs could be developed to mimic its effects."