“It is better to hide ignorance, but it is hard to do this when we relax over wine”. Heraclitus, c. 540 B.C.-480 B.C., On the Universe, 108.
In 2002, it was determined that the French eat four times as much butter as Americans and 108 grams of fat from animals – 30 percent more than Americans. The above, with a couple of other tidbits, led to a conclusion by Dr. Serge Renaud, a scientist from Bordeaux University in France, that French diets, combined with moderate consumption of red wine, should be named “The French Paradox.”
Moderate drinkers and diners in France suffer a relatively low incidence of cardiac heart disease. Sacre Bleu! Ever quick to jump the gun on these findings, “60 Minutes” carried a breakdown and sneak preview of the Paradox in 1991. Wine sales here rocketed 44 percent. Naturally, a number of wineries (French, perhaps?) began lobbying heavily to label their garnet produce as “health food.”
How does this work? Red wines contain the chemical resveratrol as well as procyanidins and polyphenols. Resveratrol in high levels has been shown to increase longevity and reduce cancer. Other alcohol-containing beverages, such as beer and liquor, do not demonstrate benefits as remarkable as resveratrol.
I should caution you here that studies demonstrate these positive results work in correlation with a moderate and nutritious lifestyle, including:
– Small portions of food eaten three times per day.
– Lower sugar intake.
– Natural, versus processed, food.
– Fewer deep-fried or fast foods and soda.
– Minimal snacking.
– Plenty of water, herbal or green tea, and natural soups.
– Plenty of exercise.
Most of all, following the Mediterranean Diet guidelines, like extensive use of olive oil, fresh fish loaded with Omega 3 and natural whole grains is included. Some glorious Mediterranean sunshine and salt air doesn’t hurt, either.
A Votre Sante!
P.S. Periodically, avid, considerate and thoughtful readers have had comments on or suggestions for my column. I’m all ears, and I’d love to hear from you!
