He and his colleagues have been working on synthetic drugs called "Sirtuin activating compounds" or STACs.

BBC: Stop, rewind: the scientists slowing the ageing process

Both resveratrol and STACs appear to mimic the effects of restricting calorie intake, which has been seen to slow ageing in animals.

BBC: Stop, rewind: the scientists slowing the ageing process

Animal studies have indicated STACs can restore the health and life prospects of obese mice and early-stage trials in humans are now underway.

BBC: Stop, rewind: the scientists slowing the ageing process