An antioxidant known as resveratrol – available in the form of nutritional supplements, as well as in certain foods – could help prevent fat from building up in the livers of alcoholics, new research suggests.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, could lead to a new treatment for a fatty liver, which most often affects those who drink too much, scientists say.

Resveratrol appears to work by coordinating muscles responsible for the metabolism of fat to reduce its production and burn off existing fat.

“Our study suggests that resveratrol may serve as a promising agent for preventing or treating human alcoholic fatty liver disease,” the authors write.

A number of studies have uncovered positive health benefits associated with consuming resveratrol. For example, a July 2008 mouse study linked the antioxidant to a slowdown in age-related decline, while a large body of research has linked it to heart health.

Resveratrol is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, blueberries and cranberries and may also be consumed in red wine and nutritional supplements.