French Paradox

Much press has been given to the French Paradox. Epidemiologic studies have observed that in southern France, mortality rates from heart disease are lower than expected despite the consumption of diets high in saturated fats and the tendency to smoke cigarettes. Low-to-moderate intake of wine is associated with lower mortality from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and other causes. The French Paradox refers only to Southern France, as longevity and mortality rates from all-causes in France are similar to that in other industrialized countries. Other variables may be at play, including under reporting of coronary related deaths in France. Both dietary and non-dietary factors may be influencing results: such as lower levels of stress, under-reporting of deaths, slow food (antithesis of the fast food mentality), time lag association similar to that observed between cigarettes smoking and incidence of lung cancer in women. The French consume a Mediterranean-style diet, along with consumption of mostly red wine with their meals. France has the highest per capita consumption of grape-wine than any other developed country. Epidemiologic studies suggest that the intake in France could explain a 40.0% reduction in heart disease. These factors have been proposed to explain the so-called paradox.