Low doses of a compound naturally found in red wine, grapes and pomegranate, can help delay aging and improve cardiovascular health, researchers claim.
A study published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE revealed that when added to the diet of middle-aged mice, the compound had a notable influence on the genetic causes of aging.
The researchers explained that low doses of resveratrol copied the health boosting effects of caloric restriction, suggesting that both govern the same "genetic pathways related to aging".
Study author Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, chief of the division of biology of aging at University of Florida Institute on Aging, said: "Caloric restriction is highly effective in extending life in many species. If you provide species with less food, the regulated cellular stress response of this healthy habit actually makes them live longer."
According to the findings, low doses of resveratrol eliminated age-related change in 92 per cent of heart genes.
"In this study, the effects of low doses of resveratrol (on genes) were comparable to caloric restriction, the hallmark for life extension," he added.
