French paradox

noun

1. the theory that the lower incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean countries compared to that in the US is a consequence of the larger intake of flavonoids from red wine in these countries

Example Sentences

After “60 Minutes” in the early 1990s aired a segment on the so-called French Paradox, implying that drinking wine could be healthy, legions of Americans rushed to buy corkscrews.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She says that now, "It's gotten easier for me because I work for myself, I have relationships with winemakers. But nobody wants to admit that there's a problem. Nobody wants to admit that alcohol isn't good for you. Everyone wants to look at this one study from a million years ago. 'The French paradox, oh, I guess wine is healthy.' It's not healthy. It's poison. It's sacred poison. There are beautiful things about it, but it is dangerous. And I see how little people want to have that conversation."

Read more on Salon

As the scientists who championed the French paradox begin to retire and the industry loses allies within academia, viewpoints like Fillmore’s and Stockwell’s are gaining traction.

Read more on Slate

Then came 1991, Renaud’s 60 Minutes appearance, and a French paradox that the public couldn’t resist.

Read more on Slate

Renaud suspected that the so-called French paradox could be explained by the red wine at French dinner tables.

Read more on Slate