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Jan.
16, 2003
The
French Paradox refers to the lower than expected rate
of heart disease in a country where the diet is rich in
saturated
fat. Some have suggested that this phenomenon occurs
because wine counteracts the effects of high meat and dairy
consumption.
While research does show some benefits from wine, or
perhaps alcohol in general, new reports suggest there is
much more
to this story.
First, several reports now note that,
although heart disease may be low in France, it is not quite
as low
as originally thought. World Health Organization reports
show that in certain countries, especially France, official
government
statistics of heart-related deaths are substantially lower
than those documented in WHO studies.
Research does support the idea that part
of the lower rate of heart disease in France may be due
to wine. Natural antioxidants in wine, which are also found
in tea, grapes and other fruits, help keep LDL
(“bad”)
cholesterol in a less-damaging form. Other research suggests
that modest consumption of any type of alcohol is linked
with healthier levels of a marker for inflammation than
seen with
either complete avoidance of alcohol or consumption of
more than two drinks a day.
It’s important to keep in mind that
diets vary throughout France, with northern areas consuming
more high-fat meat and butter, and southern areas eating
a more Mediterranean-style diet, with less meat and more
seafood and olive oil. Some studies suggest that the low
overall
rates
of heart disease are mainly in the south, where a Mediterranean
diet is followed.
MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
The overall pattern of the French diet
does offer some health advantages. Studies show that French
consumption of fruits and vegetables (other than potatoes)
is almost double compared to that of Americans.
These foods provide fiber, folate (a B
vitamin), antioxidants and phytochemicals that boost heart
health and help protect against cancer. Americans prefer
variety in snack foods, while the French consume less of the
chips
and cookies that are high in cholesterol-raising trans fat,
another advantage of the French diet.
Lower rates of heart disease in France
are also likely related to less obesity. According to the
International Obesity Task Force, only about 10 percent of
French men and
women are obese, compared to about 20 percent of Americans.
Although lives are becoming increasingly sedentary throughout
Europe, the French tend to include more moderate activity,
like walking, in their lifestyle than do typical Americans.
And although Americans may scoff at the smaller portions
they see in France, the absence of super-sized portions there
undoubtedly
helps the French with weight control.
ALCOHOL NOT ONLY EXPLANATION
Some people mistakenly think that the French
Paradox supports drinking multiple glasses of wine each day
as a healthy habit. This is clearly not so. While the French
may suffer less heart disease, overall life expectancy of
French men is not better than that of other Europeans. They
have a
high rate of premature death due to auto accidents, liver
disease, esophageal cancer and violence, all of which may be
related
to alcohol abuse.
The best take-home lessons from France are to eat
a greater variety of vegetables and fruit, control portion sizes and get more
exercise. Alcohol is not the answer. French women, for example, have a better
overall life expectancy, but most drink one glass of alcohol a day or less.
Yet even French women have lessons to learn. People in Asia
and more truly Mediterranean countries, like Italy, Greece and Spain, who tend
to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and less high-fat meats, have an even
lower incidence of most cancers.
Nutrition Notes is provided by the American Institute for
Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. |
