Knowing what to eat nowadays can be frankly overwhelming, with so many different suggestions coming from all corners, but there's one way of eating that's being recommended for your overall health.
A doctor says a French diet could help to reduce the risk of cancer for Gen Z and millennials.
For years now, people have been toting the Mediterranean diet as the pinnacle of health and one to aim for, but an expert says we should be copying the French instead.
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Many people think of the French diet in a cliched way, picturing plenty of cheese, baguettes, black coffee, and cigarettes.
Dr Michael Aziz authored The Ageless Revolution and he told the NY Post that the diet of Parisians is far superior.
He insists: "The French diet wins in every category."
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Dr Aziz explained where the misconception came from: “The idea that the Mediterranean diet is ideal comes from the Seven Countries study, which showed that diets that are low in saturated fats can prevent heart disease."
He said the information meant that the study caused many people to cut out butter and cheese and embrace the Greek method, except for one critical thing.
“No doubt, the Mediterranean diet is great. It is high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains — seven to 11 servings a day to be precise,” Aziz conceded.
“But the Seven Countries study was done on farmers who were very active in the fields working out hours to burn those excess calories from bread, but for many of us, we are far more sedentary in comparison to those in the study."
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He also pointed out that Greeks rank 43rd for obesity rates, in comparison to the French at 143, and he says it's all down to portion control.
“The French diet emphasizes smaller portions and slow eating, leading to better digestion and reduced calorie intake,” Aziz said.
“It is easy to eat seven to 11 servings of whole wheat bread a day from sandwiches as in the Mediterranean diet, but I have never seen anyone eating seven to 11 croissants a day,” Aziz said.
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“The French diet includes more full-fat dairy like cheese and yogurt, which provides calcium and vitamin D,” he said. “These nutrients are great for bone health.”
He says the diet can also reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.
“The Mediterranean diet limits dairy. Calcium plays a role in colon cancer prevention, which is an epidemic in men below 50 in the US.”
There is a stark number in the amount of cases, with 22 out of every 100,000 people in France diagnosed with colon cancer, versus 149 in Greece, according to Aziz.
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If you like a tipple, enjoying a small amount of red wine with your meal in the same way as the French can help.
“This reduces excessive alcohol intake and enhances polyphenol absorption from food,” he said.
Polyphenols are plant compounds known for their antioxidant properties, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.
“Drinking wine with food reduces blood sugar spikes and improves digestion,” Aziz said.
Overall, he insisted that 'the French diet wins in longevity'.
Looking at the life expectancies, in France, the average is 83.1 years, compared to 81.8 years in Greece.
“This data suggests that despite consuming rich, fatty foods, the French stay slimmer and healthier, likely due to portion control and meal timing,” Aziz concluded.
Topics: Food and Drink, Health, Life, Gen Z
Jen Thomas