Resveratrol, a substance found in grapes and red wine, can increase the
lifespan of mice. This is the same effect seen with calorie restriction.

Article: Resveratrol improves health and survival of mice on a 
high-calorie diet
Authors: Joseph A. Baur et. al. (long author list)

Nature advance online publication 1 November 2006 | doi:10.1038/nature05354

Abstract
Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) extends the lifespan of diverse species
including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila
melanogaster. In these organisms, lifespan extension is dependent on Sir2, a
conserved deacetylase proposed to underlie the beneficial effects of caloric
restriction. Here we show that resveratrol shifts the physiology of middle-aged
mice on a high-calorie diet towards that of mice on a standard diet and
significantly increases their survival. Resveratrol produces changes associated
with longer lifespan, including increased insulin sensitivity, reduced
insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) levels, increased AMP-activated protein
kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- coactivator 1
(PGC-1) activity, increased mitochondrial number, and improved motor function.
Parametric analysis of gene set enrichment revealed that resveratrol 
opposed the effects of the high-calorie diet in 144 out of 153 significantly
altered pathways. These data show that improving general health in mammals
using small molecules is an attainable goal, and point to new approaches for
treating obesity-related disorders and diseases of ageing.

Abstract at:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nature05354.html

Tom Billings