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The nutrition secret of the French: How they stay slim by eating pastries and sweets

byadmin
January 7, 2025

French cuisine, which is prominent with foods high in saturated fat, generally adopts a diet that threatens cardiovascular health. However, the French manage to stay fit and healthy despite this diet. So what’s the reason for this?

Pastries, desserts and fried foods are always present on French tables. There is also a wide variety of meat dishes, but while it is expected that such a diet will wear out the body and increase the risk of disease, a very interesting situation emerges in France. While the obesity rate in the United States is around 39 percent, this rate is only 15 percent in France.
This contradictory situation, which has been carefully studied in France since the 1980s, is called the “French Paradox.” Many scientists are trying to understand how the people of France, who consume risky foods, can stay so healthy.
The French eat their meals without rushing. They take care to spend a long time at the table. This habit allows digestion to work more efficiently and prevents extra strain on the body. While people in France eat for an average of 100 minutes a day, this period is approximately 60 minutes in the US. On the other hand, the French generally do not eat when they do not feel hungry and stop eating when they are full. If they want a dessert, they eat less of their main meal. This behavior prevents excess calorie intake.
The French consume high-calorie and high-fat foods in moderation, usually in small portions. They also don’t neglect to eat vegetables, fruits and healthy fats, similar to the Mediterranean diet.
High-fiber foods and foods containing plenty of antioxidants support the heart and improve overall health. In France, portions are generally small and fast food consumption is rare. Meals served in restaurants in France, especially in fast food chains, are usually served in smaller portions.
Wine is also an integral part of daily life for the French. Thanks to the antioxidants it contains, wine can support heart health. Resveratrol, found in red wine, is a powerful antioxidant that is especially concentrated in grape skins and is quickly absorbed by the body.
Many studies have shown that red wine consumption reduces the risk of heart disease. Resveratrol also draws attention with its properties that slow down aging and is sometimes cited as a reason for the long lives of the French.
byadmin
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