What is the French Paradox? How Grape Seed Extract and Polyphenols Can Help You Formulate for Heart Health

What is the French paradox?

It sounds like the setup to some sort of vaguely offensive punchline, but the many observable benefits of this phenomenon are no joke.

It’s a very real phenomenon that has been the subject of scientific study for decades. In short, the French paradox refers to the observation that French citizens experience relatively low rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) despite the average consumer having a diet containing relatively high levels of saturated fat.

Fatty cuts of meat, baked goods, and cheeses are all staples of French cuisine, all high in saturated fats, and all generally agreed to be – at best – guilty indulgences best enjoyed infrequently. 34% of French people smoke – one of the highest rates in Europe. And French citizens are no more inclined to exercise than the average EU citizen, with 45% of French people saying they never exercise – the same number as the EU-wide average. And yet, the likelihood of a French person dying from cardiovascular disease is low and falling. So, what’s the explanation?

It might surprise you to know that part of the solution to this problem lies at the bottom of a glass of wine.

Wine and olives – the secret ingredients to better heart health

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should immediately pop the cork on the nearest bottle of wine available to you and start drinking. There are many important caveats. Wine – particularly red wine - is rich in polyphenols, antioxidant compounds that offer many health benefits. When consumed in moderation, alongside a diet of fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats, polyphenols such as catechins and resveratrol that are present in wine can help to reduce oxidative stress (a condition that can damage the cells in the body) and inflammation . It’s also recognised to enhance HDL cholesterol - often called ‘good’ cholesterol, because it removes ‘bad’ cholesterol from the body – and has been shown to reduce plaque formation in the arteries .

The idea of the French paradox is closely linked to the Mediterranean diet, which is recognised to offer many of the same health benefits thanks to its inclusion of leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, and fish. Notably, olives – and particularly extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) – are popular ingredients in the Mediterranean diet and are rich in antioxidants.

Specifically, olive oil contains hydroxytyrosol, a potent antioxidant that prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol – what’s known as ‘bad’ cholesterol - and enhances HDL function . In addition, it complements omega-3 fatty acids of the kind present in fish, nuts, and seeds, protecting them against cholesterol oxidation and improving blood flow by fighting platelet aggregation. This makes it a holistic, heart health positive ingredient that can have an outsized effect on overall wellbeing.

Combined, moderate amounts of red wine and olives can work wonders for cardiovascular health, even counteracting other known heart health risks such as high saturated fat consumption. That’s remarkable news for anyone looking to improve their heart health – and we’re doing our part to improve access to these wonder ingredients however we can.

Bringing the Mediterranean diet to the UK

Now the French paradox has been cracked, it’s possible to extract these powerful natural antioxidants and incorporate them into a variety of functional foods and dietary supplements. And we’ve added two of these premium ingredients to our Naturis portfolio, bringing the vitality-boosting properties of the Mediterranean to UK businesses.

Alvinesa Vintera™ upcycled grapeseed extract

Sustainably sourced from byproducts of the winemaking process in one of the largest winemaking regions of Spain, Vintera™ is rich in the same polyphenol antioxidants that are found in red wine. We’re proud to be the exclusive distributor of this upcycled ingredient that is produced sustainably and which helps protect the cardiovascular system.

Including Vintera in recipes and formulations enables products to a whole host of science-backed health claims, including reduced inflammation, increased protection against oxidative stress in the brain, and beneficial effects on cholesterol . In addition, it is extracted using a water-based, solvent-free process, is FSC22000 certified, organic, vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, Kosher, and Halal. All of this means it is safe for everyday consumption with broad regulatory approval for use in supplements, beverages, snacks, dairy products, pet food, and nutricosmetics.

Hytolive® Infinity

Hytolive® Infinity is a unique EVOO extract that is extracted from the olive fruit, as opposed to the leaf (the latter is the case with most EVOO extracts). This means it qualifies as a food product and is suitable for reformulation into a wide variety of formats.

Its natural synergy with omega-3 makes it the ideal candidate for enhancing omega-3-rich foods such as tuna and salmon products, flax seeds, soy products, and nuts. It is also extracted without using solvents, is recognised GRAS (generally recognised as safe), and is non-GMO, organic, Halal, and Kosher.