regular, moderate wine consumption. Those who drank
wine daily had half the risk of dying compared with non-
drinkers or consumers of other alcoholic beverages. The
researchers suggested the antioxidants in red wine, such
as tannins and flavonoids, were key factors in its
protective effects. The 1980 Seven Countries Study
(Yugoslavia, Italy, Greece, Finland, Netherlands,
United States and Japan) compared the relationship
between diet and other risk factors to the occurrence
of CHD. High intakes of animal foods, with the excep-
tion of fish, were associated with higher CHD death
rates. With its reliance on meat and butter fat and less
on fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains, the 40-year
Zutphen study, the Dutch arm of the Seven Countries
Study, looked independently at the effect of wine con-
sumption. Their conclusion, reported at the 2007 Amer-
ican Heart Association’s 47th Annual Conference on
Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention,
was ‘‘Drinking a little alcohol every day, especially wine,
may be associated with an increase in life expectancy’’.
More recent studies have also found that any
alcohol is responsible for most of the cardio protective
effects previously seen with wine. A 1994 study of
British doctors and 2002 study of U. S. male doctors
indicated that the lowest risk of death was associated
with one to two alcoholic drinks of any type per day,
but there was no benefit from additional drinks.
However, 20 years on, there is still no conclusive
evidence as to why with a diet high in saturate fat the
French live longer. The World Health Organization
(WHO) states ‘‘There is convincing evidence that low
to moderate alcohol intake reduces the risk of coronary
heart disease’’, but as of 2007, the French Paradox has
not been tested by the gold standard of research, a con-
trolled clinical study. Until then moderate alcohol
intakes with food may be the key to the French Paradox.DescriptionWhile the French diet includes high fat foods such
as cheese, croissants, pastries, butter, sausages and
cold cuts, it also contains other heart healthy foods,
which have a beneficial effect.Alcohol
Although the French drink more alcohol a year
than the British, it is generally with a meal. Unlike the
UK, binge drinking is a rarity. The French have a mod-
erate consumption of 1–2 glasses of wine a day, which
has shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease.KEY TERMS
Angina—Pain that comes from the heart, caused by
the narrowing of the coronary arteries.
Binge drinking—British Medical Association states
there is no consensus on the definition of binge
drinking, but is usually used to refer to heavy drink-
ing over an evening or similar time span. Sometimes
also referred to as heavy episodic drinking.
Epidemiological studies—These studies look at fac-
tors affecting the health and illness of populations.
Foie Gras—Liver of a duck or goose that has been
specially fattened. It can be sold whole or prepared
as pate or mousse.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)—Often referred to
as good cholesterol. This takes cholesterol away
from the cells and back to the liver, where it’s broken
down or excreted.
Homocysteine—This is an amino acid. High blood
levels are now considered a risk factor for several
diseases, including CHD.Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)—Often referred to as
bad cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from the liver
to the cells and can cause harmful build-up of
cholesterol.
Procyanidin—These are associated with flavanoid
antioxidants derived from grape seed extract, grape
skin and red wine. Like Quercetin and Resveratrol
they have many health-promoting benefits.
Quercetin—A natural compound which belongs to a
group of plant pigments called flavonoids that are
largely responsible for the colours of many fruits,
flowers, and vegetables. They have many health-
promoting benefits that may protect against cancer
and cardiovascular disease.
Resveratrol—A natural compound found in grapes,
mulberries, peanuts and red wine that may protect
against cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Vasodilator—A substance that causes blood vessels
the body to become wider allowing the blood to flow
more easily.French paradox