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  Two contradictory ideas – or are they complementary ?

  Since the second world war, the beneficial effects of wine have been overshadowed by the anti-alcohol lobby and by the lumping together of a moderate consumption with drinking to excess. Currently scientists are now in agreement with the old traditionalists. Huge studies have been carried out involving tens of thousand of subjects throughout the world and they have all reached the same conclusion: a moderate consumption of wine undeniably plays a beneficial role in cardio-vascular protection and undoubtedly protects against other serious illnesses found in the west.

  In the 1970’s, epidemiological studies showed that a moderate consumption of wine reduces the risks of vascular illnesses. Although these cardio-protective effects had been known of for some time, it was a British study by Saint Leger published in The Lancet in 1979 that marked the start of a great expansion of research into the effects of wine on health. The turning point was marked by findings that demonstrated an inverse relation between a moderate consumption of alcohol and cardio-vascular related deaths. Several later studies have confirmed these findings which are now so indisputable that many health organisations recognise the link in their official public recommendations.

  In France, despite other high risk factors (rich food and an unwillingness to change) the death rate through cardio-vascular disease is amongst the lowest in the world. This is known as the ‘French paradox’.

  In general, a moderate daily consumption of wine, in conjunction with a balanced diet based on vegetable oils, fibres, cereals, fruit and vegetables, has a beneficial effect on health and life expectancy. This observation does not just linked to the alcohol contained in wine, but above all to the phenol content which is also found in other food and drinks.

  Citations

  "Wine must be considered as a healthy product which forms part of a healthy diet and not as a medcine" Nutrition and Health Unit OIV

  "The effects of wine are more beneficial when consumed moderately during a meal" Dr P.L.TEISSIER

  "A Mediterranean diet leads to a 70% reduction in the death rate compared to an ordinary diet"
Dr S. RENAUD, Inserm Bordeaux

  "Two or three glasses of wine a day reduce the overall death rate by more than 30%, all illnesses included" Dr S. RENAUD

  "Wine is the healthiest and hygienic of all drinks" Louis PASTEUR