A team led by Professor Lorna Harries, Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Exeter, has discovered a new way to rejuvenate older, inactive cells.

Within hours of treatment with compounds called reversatrol analogues, the older cells started to divide and had longer telomeres – the ‘caps’ on the chromosomes which shorten as we age.

The treatment is based on a substance found naturally in red wine, dark chocolate, red grapes and blueberries.

The discovery has the potential to lead to therapies which could help people age better, without experiencing some of the degenerative effects of getting old.