Obesity and metabolic disease are a growing concern, with the worldwide rate of obesity now triple what it was in 1975. New strategies are needed to treat the health conditions that come with it.

This study focused on insulin resistance, a complication of obesity that means cells can't properly use blood sugar. Researchers wanted to know whether supplementing with resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant, could help.

The study

Researchers recruited 32 participants who all had obesity and insulin resistance, then split them into two groups. One group took resveratrol for two months, the other took a placebo. At the start and end of the trial, participants completed tests measuring insulin resistance and body composition.

By the end, the resveratrol group had much lower insulin levels, indicating an improved ability to use insulin. They also showed increased cellular energy in their muscles and positive changes to their gut bacteria.

What this means for us

Blood sugar control, muscular energy, and gut health are all major factors in maintaining health and wellbeing as you age.

This study showed resveratrol improving all three. Not in animals or tissue samples, but in a placebo-controlled trial in humans. That gives us valuable new data on one of the most urgent health concerns of the 21st century.

Study reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41359054/