Resveratrol, a phenolic compound found in grapes, red wine, and some berries, and a phytoestrogen has potential anti-obesity effects by inhibiting adipocyte differentiation and decreasing proliferation, increasing adipocyte apoptosis and decreasing lipogenesis, promoting lipolysis and beta-oxidation (1). However, reports about the effect of resveratrol intake on weight loss and weight loss maintenance are rather limited.

 

    Female rats (bodyweight of 200-300 g) underwent ovariectomy (OVX) and were fed a soy-free diet (n = 8 rats per group). In all groups: (Control, Control + Resveratrol, OVX, and OVX + Resveratrol) resveratrol was administered orally at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day for 1 month. Significant reduction in the gain of body weight was observed in the control rats treated with resveratrol with an average body weight gain of ~20 g in comparison to a bodyweight gain of ~30 g in the control group. Ovariectomy caused an escalation in the gain of body weight (~60 g gain) due to loss of estrogen which was brought down with resveratrol (~50 g gain with resveratrol). There was a slight dip in the blood glucose levels after resveratrol treatment. Resveratrol significantly reduced the gain of body weight in the control rats and in OVX rats showing its antiobesogenic effects (2).

 

    A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 24 patients with metabolic syndrome. Twelve patients received trans-resveratrol (500 mg) three times per day before meals for 3 months. The remaining 12 patients received a placebo at the same dose. Compared to the results at baseline, the control group at the end of the study had increased body weight (+2.1 kg), body mass index (BMI) (+0.3), fat mass (-0.4 kg), and waist circumference (+1 cm); while the treatment group with resveratrol had decreased body weight (-3.9 kg), body mass index (BMI) (-1.3), fat mass (-2.4 kg), and waist circumference (-4 cm). There were also significant differences in area under the curve of insulin (48,418±22,707 vs. 26,473±8,273 pmol/L, P=0.003) and insulinogenic index (0.48±0.22 vs. 0.28±0.08, P=0.004). Administration of resveratrol for 3 months significantly decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumference, the area under the curve of insulin, and total insulin secretion (3).

 

    A systematic review and meta-analysis of 36 randomized controlled trials were conducted to summarize the effect of resveratrol intake on weight loss with studies until July 2018. The pooled results as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and related 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs), using random-effects model showed that resveratrol supplementation significantly decreased body weight (SMD = −0.17; 95% CI, −0.33, −0.01; P = 0.03), body mass index (BMI) (SMD = −0.20; 95% CI, −0.35, −0.05; P = 0.01), fat mass (SMD = −0.32; 95% CI, −0.62, −0.03; P = 0.03) and waist circumference (SMD = −0.42; 95% CI, −0.68, −0.16; P = 0.001), and significantly increased lean mass (SMD = 1.21; 95% CI, 0.75, 1.67; P < 0.001). Resveratrol supplementation significantly decreased body weight in obese patients (SMD −0.43; 95% CI, −0.60, −0.26) compared with other diseases (SMD 0.02; 95% CI, −0.29, 0.33), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (SMD −0.17; 95% CI, −0.37, 0.02). Overall, the current meta-analysis demonstrated that resveratrol intake significantly reduced weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and fat mass, and significantly increased lean mass (4).

 

    As mentioned in a previous blog, many compounds are known as phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, stilbene, coumestan, and lignans. Resveratrol, as discussed in this blog, is the most common compound in the stilbene group, and is abundant in one of the healthy diets known as the Mediterranean diet.

 

    The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of phenolic compounds, which are present in the main key foods of this dietary pattern: extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain cereals, and red wine. Phenolic compounds, usually called polyphenols are important components responsible for the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet. Mediterranean diet has many health benefits, such as longevity and cardiovascular disease prevention. It can also offer weight management benefits (5).

 

    Red wine as one of the key features of the Mediterranean diet is a relatively rich source of resveratrol with a mean of 1.9 mg/L and as high as 14.3 mg/L. If you want to get some resveratrol from red wine, remember to keep alcohol drink in moderation: no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. It is important to adhere to all the healthy components of the Mediterranean diet, not just add red wine.

 

References:

1. Wang, S.; Moustaid-Moussa, N.; Chen, L.; Mo, H.; Shastri, A.; Su, R.; Bapat, P.; Kwun, I.; Shen, C.L. (2014). Novel insights of dietary polyphenols and obesity. J. Nutr. Biochem, 25, 1–18.

2. Sharma, R., Sharma, N. K., & Thungapathra, M. (2017). Resveratrol regulates body weight in healthy and ovariectomized rats. Nutrition & Metabolism, 14(1).

3. Méndez-del Villar, M., González-Ortiz, M., Martínez-Abundis, E., Pérez-Rubio, K. G., & Lizárraga-Valdez, R. (2014). Effect of Resveratrol Administration on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 12(10), 497–501.

4. Tabrizi, R., Tamtaji, O. R., Lankarani, K. B., Akbari, M., Dadgostar, E., Dabbaghmanesh, M. H., Kolahdooz, F., Shamshirian, A., Momen-Heravi, M., Asemi, Z. (2018). The effects of resveratrol intake on weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 1–16.

5. Castro-Barquero, S., Lamuela-Raventós, R., Doménech, M., & Estruch, R. (2018). Relationship between Mediterranean Dietary Polyphenol Intake and Obesity. Nutrients, 10(10), 1523.