Is Resveratrol the Answer to the French Paradox?

Written by Yeags

Posted on June 11, 2009
Filed Under Food, Reviews | Leave a Comment

Resveratrol

Short answer…probably not. If only the world was a simple place where anyone could eliminate all their health woes with one little miracle pill.

What is resveratrol, you ask? In short, it’s a chemical found in the skin of red grapes. Apparently it’s supposed to reduce heart disease and prevent cancer. It’s been shown to extend the life of certain lab animals.

Ok, but what does this have to do with the French paradox? Well, French people are known for having almost no issues with coronary heart disease despite having a high fat diet. In fact, they consume more saturated fat than the average American. So I guess Americans figure that taking resveratrol will put them in the same health category as the French. Ha! Fat chance of that happening (pun intended).

It may seem like a mystery to some, but really it’s all to clear. We as Americans consume way too much processed food. The French eat more natural foods and although these foods may contain more fat or what not, it hasn’t been altered or changed in any way. One of the big evils in food processing is homogenization. What happens in homogenation is the fat particles are extruded and broken apart from each other so like in milk they are evenly suspended in the liquid. This causes problems because now all these broken up fat particles are more easily absorbed into your bloodstream which contributes more to heart disease and what not.

If you drink milk on a regular basis there are certain brands you can buy that don’t homogenize the fat in their milk.

Organic Pastures Dairy – In my opinion, the best milk you can buy! Not only is their milk not homogenized, but it is not pasteurized as well so it contains all the beneficial enzymes and bacteria your body needs. If you are lactose intolerant you can drink this milk no problem!
Claravale Farm – Also another raw milk distributor which sells their product in glass bottles. Their milk is always top notch!
Straus Family Creamery – If you’re not ready for the jump to raw milk, Straus’ milk is pasteurized but not homogenized. They sell their milk in glass bottles as well and the taste is quite good.