French Paradox

Guilt Free Drinking

I’m giving you permission to have a glass of wine every day. I’m taking away your guilt (if you have any) and allowing you to sit and sip each night. I’m also saving your life.  Ever hear of the French Paradox? Well, read up and relax with a nice glass of wine.

In case you didn’t know, the French diet is rich in saturated fats. They love, love, love their butter (as do I) and their pastries, croissants, pork, cheeses…I feel a pregnancy craving happening, drool.  The interesting tid bit is the French have very low rates of coronary heart disease.   We have to thank an Irish physician named Samuel Black for connecting the dots (and letting us live guilt free in that department). Dr. Black discovered back in 1819 the offset of heart disease, considering the high saturated fat French diet, was caused by wine consumption…especially red wine.  The French consume on average of twelve gallons of wine per person per year compared to the U.S. where the average is about two and a half gallons per person per year and actually climbing.  Smaller food portions are believed to play a role too. This idea has lead to the French Paradox.

Resveratrol is one of components of red wine that is believed to be a factor in offsetting cholesterol buildup in the arteries.  The combination of antioxidants and alcohol also play a factor in reducing cardiovascular disease. I feel like I should place an alcohol clause here. Ahem…too much alcohol can lead to drunk dialing, take-out pizza, unwanted boyfriends, etc. Seriously, we’re all adults. We know what too much alcohol can do.

All these “scientific” benefits found in wine has encouraged people, especially in America, to drink a little more red wine each day to save their hearts.  I believe there is one factor overlooked. When you drink wine, traditionally you drink with a meal and with your family and/or friends. You’re forced to sit with the ones you love, talk about life, relax and ignore time. This is the best benefit of all. A relaxing and stress free environment. You just have to like your family and friends.

The French Paradox has been disputed, knocked down, re-established, become a religion for some and has even lead to doctor prescriptions.  There are proven health benefits, but there are also palate pleasing benefits. When you try new wines and more and more new wines your palate becomes increasingly sensitive. You’ll begin to pick out interesting flavors that were overlooked in the past. The smells become more familiar and your experience while drinking wine becomes a painting; intriguing, fresh, unpredictable, and mysterious leading  to another act in the play.

You can now drink guilt free, feel your heart thank you and paint your own life picture with a glass of wine a day.