Exploring the French Paradox
Perhaps you’ve heard of something called the French Paradox — a term describing the apparent disparity between French and American diets. Basically, the French consume greater amounts of cream, cheese, and butter than Americans, but we’re the ones more likely to die of heart disease. What gives?
Some researchers contend that the secret lies in red wine — particularly in resveratrol, an ingredient that is vaguely associated with anti-aging and such… in mice. When such news first hit the States in 1991, the demand for red wine sky-rocked.
Alternatively, other experts argue that the French lifestyle more than compensates for said high fat content. Relevant factors include: more walking, less snacking, and a tendency to savor meals (as opposed to munching mindlessly).
