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We now have another fantastic reason to drink red wine. And it involves your waistline.

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There’s long been talk about the health benefits of wine but lovers of a drop of red can rejoice once again. Not only can it help get rid of your acne, apparently, but researchers believe it could actually help you lose weight too.

That definitely deserves a toast.

The study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, found that the magic lies in the wonder ingredient  resveratrol, that’s found in the wine (along with grapes and berries),

It can turn excess fat into calorie-burning “brown” fat. (Post continues after gallery.)

As a result, it is believed that diets that include this substances may help combat obesity. Win(e).

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Researchers gave mice amounts of resveratrol equivalent to a human consuming 340 grams of fruit per day.

They found that the mice fed the substance gained 40 per cent less weight than those who were not. The latter group only experienced standard weight gain in accordance with how much they were eating.

“Polyphenols in fruit, including resveratrol, increase gene expression that enhances the oxidation of dietary fats so the body won’t be overloaded,” explained lead researcher Professor Min Du.

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"They convert white fat into beige fat which burns fats off as heat, helping to keep the body in balance and prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction."

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However, while it's certainly an extra reason to crack open a bottle, you don't need to go overboard - there's enough resveratrol in just one glass to get the process happening.

We all know that over-consuming wine (and other alcoholic drinks) can negatively impact your health and outweigh any benefits, so moderation is key.

Bottoms up.

 

The substance can also be found in strawberries, blueberries, apples, raspberries, cranberries and peanuts.

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And next time you're deliberating over which bottle to buy? The best reds to choose for high resveratrol content are Pinot Noir, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Here's to you, science!

Do you drink wine for its health benefits?