Understanding the French Paradox

Many Americans are familiar with this phrase, especially those who appreciate wine. The paradox─which generally means something that is the opposite of what it should be─is the irony that the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans, despite having a diet far higher in saturated fats. In fact, data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that the French actually eat four times as much butter, 60% more cheese, and nearly three times as much pork as Americans.

The term French Paradox was coined in 1992 by Dr. Serge Renaud─a scientist from Bordeaux University in France─after he completed his study of French men observing that their incidence of heart disease was only 40% of that experienced by American men. Dr. Renaud determined that moderate, daily wine consumption appeared to be the "key" to the Paradox, with his study finding that 2-3 glasses of wine per day wine reduced male death rates from all diseases by up to 30%.1 Many other studies have provided strong evidence linking moderate alcohol consumption with a reduced risk of heart disease, which is still the leading cause of death for Americans.2-6 In fact, drinking alcohol in moderation appears to reduce mortality from all causes by 30-50%.8

When 60 Minutes broadcast the French Paradox hypotheses in 1991─explained by both Dr. Renaud and Dr. R. Curtis Ellison of Boston University School of Medicine─the concept became an international phenomenon. Perhaps it’s no surprise that American wine consumption increased by over 40% as a result, which surely caused chuckles around French dinner tables. What bears noting is that although these breakthroughs occurred nearly 20 years ago, evidence has been mounting ever since to support the hypotheses that wine promotes a healthy heart, among other benefits. Stay tuned to learn more about the many ways that wine can promote your wellness.

1 The Lancet, Volume 355, Issue 9197, Pages 48 - 48 B
2 Age Ageing. 2009 Mar;38(2):206-12. Epub 2009 Jan 7
3 BMJ. 1996 Mar 23;312(7033):731-6
4 BMJ. 1996 Aug 10;313(7053):365
5 ACP J Club. 1996 Sep-Oct;125(2):50-1
6 BMJ. 1996 Aug 10;313(7053):365-6
7 BMJ. 1996 Dec 14;313(7071):1555; author reply 1555-6.
8 BMJ Vol310May1995