The compound that makes red wine a healthful drink may also hold the secret to a longer life, scientists reported.

They found resveratrol acted on fruit flies and worms in the same way as a method known to extend the life of animals, including monkeys -- restricting how much they eat.

The finding opens the possibility that people could take a pill to achieve the same benefits as dieting to live healthier lives, said David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School in Boston, who led the study.