Revisiting the 'French Paradox'

August 01, 2008

Do you eat between meals, like eating something every two hours? Beginning with breakfast, then at 10 o'clock, noon, 2 o'clock , 4 o'clock and then supper, do you eat at least six or more times a day?

In contrast to our eating habits, the French do not eat between meals. They just eat three meals a day, and "thats all." Their "main meal" is lunch. However, they do enjoy their wine with their meals!

According to the TV show "60 Minutes" aired in November 1991, the United States is among the "lowest consumers of red wine in the world." Yet, we are among the "highest in victims of heart attacks in the world – about 1 million deaths per year!"

Dr. Ellison, a cardiologist and professor at the school of Public Health at Boston University, states that the section of our country that consumes the "least amount of wine is known as stroke alley," the so-called Bible Belt, which ignores the admonition of St. Paul to Timothy, "Use a little wine for the stomach's sake and thine other infirmities."

The "French Paradox" reveals a most important aspect of what is the main difference between the French and the Americans as to their eating and drinking wine- it is healthy to "enjoy" a glass of wine with your dinner (supper)!

The evidence of the benefits of drinking wine in moderation is growing! As previously recorded, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that in their study of 44,000 Americans between 40 and 75 years of age – those "who drank light to moderate amounts of wine had 25 to 40 percent less chance of developing heart disease."

Moderate is defined as two glasses of wine a day.

In addition to the Harvard research and equally as important is the recent research by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State College, which confirmed that " Muscadine Grapes are naturally high in antioxidants that protect the body from the damaging effects of oxygen-free radicals which can contribute to degenerative diseases."

Now, maybe we Americans are finally taking the French philosophy to heart, that it is healthy to enjoy a glass of wine (white or red) with your dinner. Here's to you!

Buddy Harrell, Bennett Vineyards