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Resveratrol prevents weight gain and avoids the aggregation of body fat – findings of a new study by the researchers of the University of the Basque Country suggest.

Obesity is one of the most prevalent health problems today, especially in developed countries. Global stats show that there are more than one thousand million overweight people in the world today, among which more than three hundred million people are obese. Obesity, the condition characterized by excess body fat, is known to be accompanied with various health risks including diabetes and various heart related disorders. As a result it is also the major cause of increased mortality rates among the obese population.

Multiple researches are underway to formulate treatment procedures for obesity. Most studies focus of the utilization of the functional ingredients to treat obesity; functional ingredients are the compounds found in certain foods that promote good health and reduce the risk of life-threatening diseases. A recent study titled ‘Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Resveratrol: the effect of these functional ingredients on the metabolism of triglycerides and adiposity’ has revealed that the functional ingredient Resveratrol can help in preventing weight gain and it also avoids the accumulation of excess body fat.

Resveratrol, a secondary product from trees refers to a natural phenol produced by plants when they are attacked by pathogens like bacteria or fungi. Resveratrol can be found in skin of red grapes and is an ingredient used in the preparation of red wine. Additionally, Resveratrol can also be artificially produced via chemical or biotechnological synthesis. The usage of Resveratrol to reduce the accumulated fat was unknown till date; the effect of Resveratrol on animals and humans including life extension and prevention of cancer is a major issue of various scientific studies today.

Conjugated linoleic acid also known as rumenic acid is a functional ingredient that can be found in dairy products and meat obtained from ruminating animals. That conjugated linoleic acid leads to the loss of body fat has been a topic of debate amongst the scientific research community. Utilization of this functional ingredient in the treatment of obesity was unexplored until today.

Results of the present study indicate that when Conjugated linoleic acid is induced by an energy restriction diet, it does not instigate weight loss or reduction in the body fat. On the other hand, resveratrol was found to reduce the accumulation of much of fat stored by the body both in mice and humans. Through this study, the researchers have inferred that the functional ingredient Conjugated linoleic acid may not be useful in the treatment of obesity; however the other resveratrol can prove to be a substantial tool to treat obesity by reducing the accumulated body fat.

Reference:
Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Resveratrol: the effect of these functional ingredients on the metabolism of triglycerides and adiposity -A study by Ms Arrate Lasa and her Nutrition and Obesity research team, University of the Basque Country. For more information, please visit: http://www.basqueresearch.com/berria_irakurri.asp?Berri_Kod=3217&hizk=I

Disclaimer: This article is written by a non-medical professional.