the REAL French paradox: while consumption of wine in France is down by 50% over the last two decades, the occurrence of cancers in France has increased...and then they wonder why their once pillar of the economy is reaching an all time low...so wonder the French wine industry is once again up in arms at the government's latest pronouncement: to stop drinking wine altogether.
this advice came to the front after the release of a report by the French national cancer institute, which says the consumption of only a small amount of alcohol can increase the risk of mouth and throat cancer by 168%. president of the institue, Dominique Maraninchi said, 'Small daily doses of alcohol are the most harmful. there is no amount, however small, which is good for you.' they also listed red meat, charcuterie and salt will increase the risk of colon-rectal cancer by almost 30%.
this advice came to the front after the release of a report by the French national cancer institute, which says the consumption of only a small amount of alcohol can increase the risk of mouth and throat cancer by 168%. president of the institue, Dominique Maraninchi said, 'Small daily doses of alcohol are the most harmful. there is no amount, however small, which is good for you.' they also listed red meat, charcuterie and salt will increase the risk of colon-rectal cancer by almost 30%.
Roger Corder, professor of experimental therapeutics at the William Harvey Research Institute in London, and an expert on the health benefits of wine, said he was stunned by the report. 'It is not based on French statistics but on statistics from around the world. As well as this, it covers all alcohol, not just wine. It is very flawed to base government health advice on such research, which lacks a detailed analysis of the influence, or risk, of drinking patterns for different alcoholic drinks and has at the same time excluded confounders such as poor diet and smoking.'
the French wine lobby to no surprise has reacted with outrage. 'This persecution of wine has to stop'. president of the southern Languedoc wine producers association, Xavier de Volontat said: 'The extremists must not be allowed to take consumers hostage. Wine consumption has dropped bgy 50% over the last 20 years in France, but cancer has increased. You have to admit there is a paradox. 'We are for responsible, reasonable and moderate consumption. It is not in our interests to see our consumers dying of cancer…'
more than often research is only a statistical correlation between different parameters and using an approach such as that you can prove almost anything. the report does not take into account the health of the individuals, nor ethnic origins, comments on diets, mouth hygiene, or dental check-ups. opposing these "research" findings, the long history of wine's effect on human life guarantees that moderation drinking is benefit for our body. therefore it is my opinion that this is not a scientific study...but rather the shrewd propoganda by the French government.
what are they suggesting people drink – Coca Cola? i think the time has come to see another French revolution!
