The French Paradox They eat foods like duck confit, sausages and foie gras almost daily – foods that are so high in fat that one can practically feel their arteries clogging mid-mouthful. So why is it that the French are so much healthier than Canadians? French obesity rates were recorded at 9.4% in 2005, compared with Canada’s 14.3% and the US’s staggering tipping of the scales at 30.6%. Canada also has about twice as many instances cardiovascular disease as France does per capita, drawing curious attention to the two cultures and how our lifestyles differ. Statistics confirm that the French are healthier than North Americans. Now we just need to figure out why… For centuries, drinking wine has been an integral part of French culture. Also famous traits of the French are an indulgence of decadent foods and a lifestyle which can only be explained as “joie de vivre”. While our European counterparts have been enjoying the good life, we in Canada have been bogged down by a history of prohibition – a fear and at times even a ban – of the production of wines and the consumption thereof. This may well have contributed to our nation’s health problems. Historically speaking, we have been afraid to drink wine. The “French Paradox”, according to on-line knowledge guru Wikipedia, refers to the fact that people in France suffer a relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease, despite having a diet that is unquestionably rich in saturated fats. Many scientists, researchers and wine experts suspect that the reason for this phenomenon is partly due to the significantly higher consumption of red wine taken in on average by the French. Red wine contains an element called ‘resveratrol’ – an antioxidant that has established a reputation as our modern-day dietary superhero. Among its many attributes are encouraging the health benefits of vitamin C and exhibiting anti-clotting effects which prevent the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. If that isn’t reason enough to drink red wine, resveratrol has been demonstrated to have anti-cancer effects as well. Other antioxidants like quercetin and catechins are also present in red wine, suspected of such wonders as delaying the aging process in the human body. These elements are chiefly found in the skins of the grapes, explaining why their prevalence is in red wines and not white, as the red wines get their colour from soaking on the skins, and with the colour comes a myriad other benefits. But does red wine have all the good stuff in it while white wine is just a tasty drink? Fear not – those of us who prefer the paler stuff are in for some good news as well. All wines, white, red and pink, contain a multitude of vitamins which are contributed by the grapes from which the wines are made. Vitamins A, C and B6 are but a few of the nutrients contained in grapes not to mention the abundance of minerals. These dietary components are a recommended part of a balanced diet as outlined by the Canada Food Guide. Of course, you can also get these vitamins from various other fruits, vegetables or vitamin tablets, but drinking them in a nice glass of wine seems to have a bit more allure than popping a pill. Possibly the most intriguing fact that is unique to wine is that its PH level closely resembles that of the acids in our stomachs, something to really celebrate when you’re thinking about food and wine pairing. What this means is that when we consume food and wine together, our bodies have a much easier time processing the foods than they do when we eat food by itself. And the acid in wine does a splendid job of cutting through the fats that we eat, making our meals not only more palatable but more digestible as well. Of course, no piece of writing on the health benefits of wine would be complete without a firm word of caution towards enjoying it in moderation. While there are significant scientific studies out there to support the many health benefits of moderate wine consumption, there is no doubt that over-indulgence has definite negative side effects. From minor hangovers that draw energy from the body to much more serious and damaging effects, any scientist worth their studies will strongly urge you to be aware of how much wine you are consuming and when, ensuring that responsible decisions override good taste. There’s an old saying that goes, “Life is too short to drink bad wine.” Well, according to much scientific evidence, life for Canadians might extend a bit longer if we all pledge to drink good wine (just a little at a time). As they say in France, “A votre santé!” To your health!
Alsace Willm Pinot Gris $17 – $24 Sérame Viognier $12 – $15 Louis Latour Bourgogne Pinot Noir $18 – $23 Mouton Cadet Red $13 – $16 La Fiole Châteauneuf du Pape $32 – $36 |
