Here's a reason not to feel so guilty when you pour yourself a second—OK, fine, third—glass of wine tonight. According to a new study, there's a compound found in muscadine grapes (undoubtedly the most important of all the grapes because they're the kind used to make wine) called ellagic acid. But its name doesn't matter as much as what it does: That genius little chemical has recently been proven to boost the metabolism of fatty acids in liver cells. In other words, it'll improve your health and may even make you lose weight. Should we say that one more time? Drinking wine may make you lose weight.
That's not to say you should skip the gym to down a bottle of Merlot. Drinking wine won't cause you to magically shed pounds, but what it will do is boost your body's fat burning abilities and improve liver function, particularly in overweight people.
Sounds too good to be true, maybe, but it's not. Biochemists at Oregon State University fed one group of mice a typical mouse diet (which was not, we presume, lots of cheese) while another group was given a high-fat diet (so...lots of peanut butter?). The latter put on weight over a 10-week trial, obviously, but of that group, the ones who consumed grape extract had less fat in their livers and lower blood sugar than those who did not.
So next time you swing by the grocery store, grab a bottle of wine, because life's short and it's good for you. Science says so!
You should also check out:
18 Foods You Can Eat at Night That Won't Make You Feel Bloated in the Morning
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
-
Kelly Clarkson Claims Her Ex-Husband Owes Her Even More Money After He Allegedly "Violated Labor Laws" as Her Manager
The "Stronger" star was already awarded $2.6 million in a previous lawsuit.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Robert Downey Jr. Discusses the Highs and Lows of His Career After Oscar Win
"I think if you develop a moral psychology, things are a lot easier."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Anne Hathaway Steals the Show at SXSW Movie Premiere in a Sparkling Mini Dress
The 'Les Míserables' star's red carpet look featured geometric highlights.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Senator Klobuchar: "Early Detection Saves Lives. It Saved Mine"
Senator and breast cancer survivor Amy Klobuchar is encouraging women not to put off preventative care any longer.
By Senator Amy Klobuchar Published
-
How Being a Plus-Size Nude Model Made Me Finally Love My Body
I'm plus size, but after I decided to pose nude for photos, I suddenly felt more body positive.
By Kelly Burch Published
-
I'm an Egg Donor. Why Was It So Difficult for Me to Tell People That?
Much like abortion, surrogacy, and IVF, becoming an egg donor was a reproductive choice that felt unfit for society’s standards of womanhood.
By Lauryn Chamberlain Published
-
The 20 Best Probiotics to Keep Your Gut in Check
Gut health = wealth.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Simone Biles Is Out of the Team Final at the Tokyo Olympics
She withdrew from the event due to a medical issue, according to USA Gymnastics.
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
The Truth About Thigh Gaps
We're going to need you to stop right there.
By Kenny Thapoung Published
-
3 Women On What It’s Like Living With An “Invisible” Condition
Despite having no outward signs, they can be brutal on the body and the mind. Here’s how each woman deals with having illnesses others often don’t understand.
By Emily Shiffer Published
-
The High Price of Living With Chronic Pain
Three women open up about how their conditions impact their bodies—and their wallets.
By Alice Oglethorpe Published