Q. What is the French paradox?

The paradox is that the French eat a lot of saturated fat, but have relatively low rates of heart disease.

When the French paradox is discussed, the robust consumption of red wine in France is often given as the explanation for the paradox.

The term was coined by Dr. Serge Renaud (1927 - 2012), a prominent French medical researcher, epidemiologist and nutritionist often referred to as the “father of the French Paradox” He was a professor at Bordeaux University in France.

More than 700 million bottles of wine are produced every year in the Bordeaux region of France.

Do you smell the bouquet of a possible conflict of interest?

The wine explanation for the French paradox is in dispute. There is evidence that wine has health benefits, but there have been no direct comparison trials to determine the specific effect of wine or other alcoholic beverages on heart disease or stroke.

The American Heart Association (AHA) does not recommend drinking wine to gain health benefits.

While there is a common belief exists that red wine is good for your heart, the AHA points out that there is no proven direct cause-and-effect relationship between drinking wine and better cardiovascular health.

Key positions from the AHA on wine and alcohol intake include:

Unproven benefits: Observational studies linking moderate red wine consumption to lower rates of heart disease often involve some confusion. Moderate wine drinkers frequently have higher income levels, healthier diets, and engage in more physical activity compared to non-drinkers.

The antioxidant myth: Although red wine contains antioxidants such as resveratrol (from grape skins), the concentration present in a glass of wine is too low to provide significant therapeutic effects. The AHA notes you can get the same antioxidants without alcohol by eating fresh grapes, blueberries or drinking 100% Concord grape juice.

Cardiovascular risks: Drinking alcohol, even in moderate amounts, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke and cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.

If you don’t drink, don’t start: The AHA explicitly advises that non-drinkers should not begin drinking alcohol for cardiovascular protection.

Consumption guidelines: If you choose to drink wine, the AHA recommends doing so in moderation. For women: up to one standard drink per day. For men: up to two standard drinks per day. A single standard glass of wine is defined as five fluid ounces at roughly 12% alcohol by volume.

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