Scientists have identified a substance in red wine that may explain why French wine drinker are not only healthy, but live longer:
Scientists have found another clue to explain why red wine may be good for you, identifying substances in vin rouge that appear to be associated with increased longevity in parts of France.
Researchers have long been fascinated by the “French paradox” — the fact that French people tend to have relatively few heart attacks despite a rich diet — and many studies have suggested that a glass or two of red wine every day is beneficial.
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In the latest research, Roger Corder of Queen Mary’s School of Medicine in London and colleagues analyzed various components of red wine. They found that substances called procyanidins appeared to have the most potent beneficial effect on the cells that enable arteries to power the heart.
Moreover, the researchers discovered that levels of procyanidins were highest in red wines produced in southwestern France, where French men tend to live the longest, according to a report in today’s issue of the journal Nature.
The winemakers of that region tend to use more traditional techniques in which Tannat grapes are soaked with their seeds longer, boosting the procyanidins.
The research suggests that one or two glasses a day of cabernet sauvignon or other Madiran wines made with similar grapes and methods would be enough to get the health benefits, Corder said.
Sounds good to me.
November 30th, 2006 at 9:18 am
Doug, I had heard this joke a while ago:
Asians tend to eat low-fat, low-meat, low-dairy, vegetable and rice-dominant meals; they live longer than Americans.
The French eat lots of meat, cheese, diary, drink wine and smoke; and they live longer than Americans.
So eat whatever the F* you want, it’s speaking English that kills ya!