|
The discovery of the French Paradox and the history of polyphenols
Regular consumption of wine and in particular of red wine protects the French from cardiovascular diseases despite their diet with its reputation for being rich, particularly in saturated fats: this is what has become known as the "French Paradox". This phenomenon has been demonstrated in several epidemiological studies including the one by St Leger et al. (see figure below).
Relationship between the rate of mortality from cardiovascular diseases and the consumption of wine as a function of the country.
Armed with this confirmation, a great many researchers have become interested in the protective role apparently displayed by certain constituents of wine, and consequently, by grapes. Their work highlights the involvement of polyphenols in the beneficial effects of grapes on health and, in particular, of the flavanols, the most abundant sub-family of polyphenols in grapes. | 
