The antioxidant resveratrol, often credited as being the agent in red wine and grape juice that can prolong a healthy life, may have other benefits. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is the first step on the road to developing type 2 diabetes. IGT is associated with insulin resistance (the body being unable to use the insulin that is available), which is also signalled by higher than normal blood insulin levels.

Now a small intervention study in New York has given 10 people with IGT resveratrol in amounts rather higher than would be obtained from food sources, but probably much less than some people are taking in their attempts to try to live forever. All of the study participants showed a reduction in blood glucose levels after meals, and improved insulin sensitivity.

It will be interesting to see the outcomes of further studies as, unlike most antidiabetic agents, resveratrol seems to be free of untoward side effects, even in very large amounts.

Source: Crandall J, et al. Paper presented at the American Diabetes Association 2010 annual meeting.

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Originally posted in August 2010. everybody Nutrition News items are selected from a wide range of journals, bulletins and nutrition information sources worldwide and summarised by Professor John Birkbeck, Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University. The opinions contained herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsor. Copyright UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.