Resveratrol, a compound found naturally in red wine, could help ward off the effects of inactivity, according to a new study published in the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Researchers were looking for a way to help astronauts deal with the negative physical effects of weightlessness. Working on rats in simulated weightless conditions, they gave one group a daily dose of resveratrol, while the control group received no supplements.
The mice in the control group showed a loss of muscle mass and strength, developed insulin resistance and had lower bone density – all symptoms of both weightlessness and inactivity – while the mice on resveratrol avoided all of these complications.
"There are overwhelming data showing that the human body needs physical activity, but for some of us, getting that activity isn’t easy," said Dr. Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of the FASEB Journal.
"Resveratrol may not be a substitute for exercise, but it could slow deterioration until someone can get moving again."