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The term 'French paradox'
refers to the observation that
while both the French and
Americans have a diet high
in saturated fats, smoke cigarettes
and exercise little-
which are all risk factors for
cardiovascular disease-the
French have a significantly
lower risk of cardiovascular
disease than that of the
Americans; 36% compared
with 75%. The difference in
risk has been attributed to the
consumption of alcohol and,
in particular, red wine. The
French consume 60 L per
capita of wine per year,
while the Americans only
consume 7.7 L per year.
Australians, who consume
18.1 L per capita of wine per
year, have a risk of cardiovascular
disease in between
that of the French and the
Americans. Recent research
also suggests that the cardioprotective
effects of wine are
imparted by the alcohol component
(approx 75% of the
effects) and by the winespecific
phenolic compounds
and their polyphenolic forms
(approx 25% of the effects).
* Reproduced with permission from Peter Svans
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