Eat grapes, lose weight

A study by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France (or National Centre for Scientific Research) describes a compound that could help reduce weight gain.

The news was published in the journal BMC Physiology. This study found that resveratrol, a naturally occurring compound, had a significant effect on weight gain. It is found in the skin of grapes, plus blueberries and peanuts, as well.

Tests conducted on lemurs, a type of small primate, demonstrated the effectiveness of resveratrol. Researchers introduced a resveratrol supplement into the diet of lemurs. They noted a 13% decrease in the lemurs’ food intake after four weeks.

Fabienne Aujard is with the CNRS and lead author of the study. She commented: "The physiological benefits of resveratrol are currently under intensive investigation, with recent work suggesting that it could be a good candidate for the development of obesity therapies."

Researchers conclude the discovery is very promising. Resveratrol was already known for its anti-aging properties but this is the first time its anti-obesity  properties have been documented in primates.