French Paradox

Medical research in cardiovascular health and nutrition has long shown that diets low in saturated fat result in lower rates of cardiovascular disease. In France, however, where the diet is high in saturated fats like butter, cheese, and other animal fats, there is a disproportionately low incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). This incongruity has come to be known as the French Paradox. The idea garnered international attention in 1991 after a French researcher appeared on 60 Minutes to discuss his theory that the low rates of heart disease in France could be explained by the regular consumption of red wine. In the month following the program, supermarket sales of red wine were up 44% over the same period a year earlier. Studies such as ...