Individuals who enjoy red wine, grapes, peanuts and blueberries – or who take – may have ingested it, possibly without knowing they were doing so. It’s called resveratrol, and scientists are saying that the naturally occurring compound may help the body burn fat cells.

Arrate Lasa, a researcher at the University of the Basque Country, Spain, recently wrote that resveratrol appears to reduce fat stores in the human body, especially when compared to a molecule found in many meat and dairy products called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Lasa noted that CLA did not appreciably diminish fat stores when injected into laboratory hamsters. However, resveratrol did, particularly when combined with a low-calorie diet.

Previous studies have associated moderate red wine intake with a lowered risk of heart disease. Reseveratrol has also been found to have the potential to lower blood sugar naturally. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University also states that resveratrol has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in laboratory settings.

Since most health authorities do not recommend heavy drinking, taking herbal supplements that contain resveratrol may confer all the benefits of the compound without the hangover.