The French eat relatively high amounts of fat, but, they have less cardiovacular disease than other developed countries. This is the French Paradox, or is it? The French Paradox has erroneously been ascribed to the French drinking more red wine than the rest of us. This is not the whole explanation for the French Paradox!

The French eat more fat, but the fat they eat is more likely to be polyunsaturated. They love to dip their bread in olive oil, not spread it with butter or margarine!

The French eat more seafood than the rest of the developed countries. This, of course, excludes the Mediterranean countries, some of which are not considered to be "developed" countries.

The French are less likely to be overweight. They have a more active lifestyle, walk daily to the market and buy fresh foods, as opposed to jumping in their SUV's weekly to shop at the local supermarket. Just go to France and people watch: watch them walk in the afternoon or early evening, shopping at local grocery stores, filling up the markets and squares.

The French consume more fruits and vegetables than other industrialized countries. The Norwegians and Finns have high rates of heart disease, eat significantly less amounts of fruits and vegetables than the French!

The French do drink red wine, but the protective effect of the red wine upon the cholesterol profile is mostly borne when it is consumed at mealtime, not happy hour!

So, the French Paradox is explainable and no longer a paradox! You too can have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease if you follow the French way of life.