A substance found in grapes may help the body fight obesity and aging, according to recently published biochemical findings.

A paper printed in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that grapes are a natural source of reservatrol, a compound that scientists have already determined prevents cellular damage caused by free radicals in the body.

The paper’s authors, an international team of cellular biologists and metabolic researchers, determined that reservatrol does something previously unexpected – stimulate the production of adiponectin, a human hormone that regulates fat absorption and weight control.

Reservatrol may be used not only to reduce the rate of aging, but to help dieters maintain a healthier weight, the team said.

Previous studies have shown that grapes’ antioxidants naturally reduce the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis, and may even alleviate some of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of cholesterol- and fat-related risk factors that predispose those with the syndrome to heart disease.

Researchers concluded that reservatrol may be used to create new therapies for obesity and aging.