Understanding The French Paradox

Drinking red wine can support a healthy heart and help you to avoid cardiovascular problems by offering you protection from the harmful effects of lipid peroxidation (oxidative stress from burning unhealthy fats). Lipid peroxidation is one of the first steps in the aging of your blood vessels.

This surprisingly protective effect from red wine gives rise to a phenomenon known as the “French Paradox.”

Although the French typically eat a diet rich in gravies, potatoes, and red meats, they generally have fewer cardiovascular problems than the rest of us. Epidemiologists suggest that this paradox is attributable to the red wine the French ingest daily with their meals.

Researchers believe quercetin and other nutrients in red wine compensate for the high-fat diet and other heart risk factors among the French. Indeed, quercetin has been shown to reduce blood stickiness or clumping, improve poor blood circulation, and lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Although red wine in moderation (about one 6-oz. glass every other day) is reasonable, the daily intake of red wine can injure liver cells, and result in liver dysfunction. Keep in mind that although the French have better heart health, they also have the highest incidence of cirrhosis in the world.

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