A new study presented at the American Chemical Society’s annual conference found that the molecule resveratrol can help prevent life-threatening falls in older adults.

Resveratrol is found naturally in some foods and drinks like red wine and chocolate, but unfortunately the body does not absorb resveratrol very efficiently.  A 150-pound person would have to drink about 700 4-ounce gasses of red wine each day to see any beneficial effects. 

As adults age, their innate motor skills begin to diminish and they become more susceptible to falls.  In fact, falls are among the leading causes of death in people older than 65.

Based on studies with laboratory mice, researchers found that the resveratrol can decrease some of the common motor deficiencies found in aging adults, making them less prone to falls. 

Further research on resveratrol will focus on creating a man-made version of resveratrol that is more efficiently absorbed in the body.