One of the most fascinating phenomena currently being studied by scientists, dietitians and other researchers is what is known as the French Paradox. Before going into greater detail regarding what this entails, it should be noted that the antioxidant resveratrol is at the forefront of the speculation regarding the French Paradox. Indeed, many people who study this phenomenon do believe that resveratrol and The French Paradox go hand in hand. But what does all of this speculation mean for the average person? In this article, we examine the connection between the French Paradox and resveratrol.
What is the French Paradox?
The French Paradox refers to the fact that, despite having one of the highest fat diets in the world, the French have an incredible 42% lower occurrence of heart disease than their American counterparts do. This strange phenomenon baffled researchers for a long time; they worked feverishly to figure out how the French Paradox occurred scientifically.
Researchers discovered that the antioxidant resveratrol - so abundant in red wines - seemed to be responsible. Indeed, the French are known for their high consumption of red wine and their high fat diet seems to be counteracted by large doses of resveratrol. As more people around the world begin taking advantage of the discoveries behind the French Paradox, heart health around the globe may increase significantly.
Wine and cardiovascular health
The secret behind the French Paradox lies in the resveratrol found in red wine. Resveratrol is believed to not only help widen the arteries - making it easier for blood to flow freely through - but also works at reducing platelet aggregation (otherwise known as the clogging of the arteries). The French Paradox works because, despite their consumption of fatty foods known to damage heart health, the French drink healthy doses of red wine.
Researchers discovered that resveratrol was the only component found primarily in wine that could explain the French Paradox. Indeed, no other part of the French diet seemed to contain anything that stood out as providing a significant boost to cardiovascular health. The discovery of the French Paradox has major implications for other countries that struggle with high fat diets and the heart disease that they cause.
Anti-aging properties of resveratrol
In addition to the significant findings behind the French Paradox, it has been shown that resveratrol has quite a few anti-aging properties as well. Many of the same phenomena which work to promote heart health also help increase longevity. People who consume adequate quantities of resveratrol in their diets often notice many beneficial side effects regarding the appearance of their skin, for example.
Many people swear that resveratrol seems to slow down the aging process, giving them a more youthful glow and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other aging characteristics. In regards to the French Paradox, it is little wonder that the French have long believed in drinking to one's health; as it happens, all of that wine drinking was providing healthy hearts and many anti-aging benefits as well.
