Women’s Health: The Secret of the French Paradox

                                                                                         

hat is the key to a healthy heart and long life? What do the French do that we don't? They eat lots of bread and butter, rich sauces, delicious, sugary deserts… why is a French woman’s health typically better than that of her American counterpart?

Their secret is red wine. It contains a class of flavonols (healthy substances found in plants) called proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins are found in high concentrations in the red wines of Southwestern France, and are the reason the French population have healthier hearts, lower incidents of diabetes (despite those delicious tarts, tortes and crème brûlées), and longer lifespans.

Along with cardiovascular strength and longevity, proanthocyanidins provide other benefits to a woman’s health:

- Proanthocyanidins are used in the treatment of allergies

- They improve circulation by strengthening capillary walls

- They work with collagen to repair and rebuild tissue, and help to reverse damage done over the years by injury or free radicals

- They keeps skin elastic, smooth and wrinkle-free

- They protect against environmental toxins such as radiation, pesticides, pollution, and heavy metals

- They protect the blood vessels in the brain, resulting in improved mental acuity and decreased risk for stroke

Does that mean that a daily dose of vino is your key to a healthy heart and long life? Not necessarily, but it does mean understanding ways you can get proanthocyanidins into your own diet. Where can these powerful nutrients, proanthocyanidins, be found? Bilberry, green tea, black currant, black tea, and cranberry are all sources. Other sources are pine bark, red wine, grape skin, and most, notably, grape seed.

Today, if you want to keep healthy, you don't have to compromise your sobriety or pick the seeds out of your grapes. There are excellent supplements available that extract the essence of these products, making strong hearts, soft skin and long-lasting women’s health just a daily capsule away.

About the author:
Author, Stephanie Mintz, contributes articles on women’s health for Feel Good For Life. For more information on these and other topics, please visit http://www.feelgoodforlife.com.

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