Red Wine Compound Promises Longevity

A substance found in red wine protected mice from the ill effects of obesity, raising the tantalizing prospect the compound could do the same for humans and may also help people live longer, healthier lives, researchers are reporting today.

The substance, called resveratrol, enabled mice that were fed a high-calorie, high-fat diet to live normal, active lives despite becoming obese -- the first time any compound has been shown to do that. Tests found the agent activated a host of genes that protect against the effects of aging, essentially neutralizing the adverse effects of a bad diet on the animals' health and lifespan.

This is already available at health food stores, but more and more Americans are just drinking a glass or two of red wine most days. I just gave my brother-in-law several bottles of Merlot for his birthday.