We already know that resveratrol, an ingredient in red wine, is good for us, and we know that sitting around on our butts is bad for us, so could it be true that sitting on your butt is not so bad for you if you drink a glass of red wine while you do it?
It's tempting to make that conclusion based on a new study published in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Researchers subjected lab rats to conditions similar to those experienced by astronauts in space, who, because of zero gravity, are unable to get adequate physical activity while in orbit and typically experience reduced muscle mass, increased insulin resistance and decreased bone density upon their return to earth. One group of rats received a daily dose of resveratrol while another group did not, and at the experiment's conclusion the resveratrol-fed rats didn't exhibit the decreased muscle mass, insulin resistance, reduced bone density or other negative effects of zero gravity, while the control group did.
The researchers concluded that resveratrol could counteract some of the negative effects of inactivity for us regular earthbound people too, though swilling red wine instead of hitting the gym is still not recommended (shocking, I know):
There are overwhelming data showing that the human body needs physical activity, but for some of us, getting that activity isn't easy. A low gravity environment makes it nearly impossible for astronauts. For the earthbound, barriers to physical activity are equally challenging, whether they be disease, injury, or a desk job. Resveratrol may not be a substitute for exercise, but it could slow deterioration until someone can get moving again," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal in a statement.
Whenever a study comes out touting the health benefits of something alcoholic, the experts are quick to say that you should by no means use the research as a reason to start drinking alcohol if you don't already. And while I'm always excited by yet another excuse to drink red wine, I should point out that resveratrol can be found in supplements that don't hurt your liver or impede your driving ability like wine can. One that was recommended to me by naturopathic cardiologist Decker Weiss is Reserveage.
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