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.
