The research aimed to find out if resveratrol, an antioxidant found in most red wine, could help astronauts experiencing negative health effects from weightlessness combined with inactivity.

Resveratrol was found to increase muscle and bone mass, which can prevent the risk of osteoporosis.

Scientists working on the study gave one group of mice a daily dose of resveratrol and compared the results with a test group.

Mice without resveratrol experienced reduced muscle mass, strength and bone density, and developed insulin resistance, which is recognised as a precursor to diabetes.