It’s the news many of us have been waiting for – red wine can help you lose weight.

Yes, my dear, drunk friends, you read that correctly.

According to recent research, the resveratrol (an antioxidant) found in your favourite red can help turn bad “yellow” fat to healthy “brown” fat; the latter helps burn off the former.

Of course this ingredient, can be ingested without downing the claret. The compound is also found in blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and apples.

In a study conducted by researchers at Washington State University, mice were fed high-fat diets and split into two groups: one was given resveratrol and the other wasn’t.

The researchers found the group of mice given resveratrol gained about 40 percent less weight than the other group over the course of the study.

Lead researcher Professor Min Du explained,

Polyphenols in fruit, including resveratrol, increase gene expression that enhances the oxidation of dietary fats so the body won’t be overloaded.

They convert white fat into beige fat which burns lipids (fats) off as heat, helping to keep the body in balance and prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction

Of course, red wine is pretty caloric, and you’re probably better off getting your antioxidants from low-calorie fruit, such as blueberries, raspberries or even apples.

We think it’s time to celebrate, and now you can crack open a bottle of wine (enjoyed responsibly) and have a solid excuse to skip the gym today.