Wine, Foie Gras and Women’s Longevity

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French women of a certain region in their country have the longest life expectancy of anyone on Earth except the Japanese. This in spite of the fact that Cahors, in the Midi-Pyrenees area that is their home, is famous for its foie gras and red wine. The Washington Post reports:

“Women in the more temperate Meditteranean countries – France, Spain and Italy – tend to live longer than those in colder northern countries. The trends are also reflected within France itself: Women from southern areas where olive oil and duck fat are more prevalent in diets have longer life spans than those from northern areas, where diets include more butter, beef and pork, according to demographers.”

Whatever food is claimed as a longevity factor, however, the real secret (as any nutritionist will tell us), is in how much or little we eat. One hundred-year-old Helene Vailard

“…says there is no contradiction in drinking good wine, eating a bit of goose liver and remaining healthy. It’s all a matter of moderation.

“’I didn’t do anything in excess in my life,’ says Vialard…’I don’t have a sweet tooth…I like fruit, I don’t like cream. I don’t like greasy food; I don’t cook with a lot of oil, even if it’s olive oil.’”

Ms. Vailard’s neighbors in the region report a similar eating style:

“Aliette Picuira, 82, says, 'I eat a bowl of soup every night…At the end of the soup, I put in three big spoons of wine and drink it.'”

“83-year-old Raymonde Labat prefers champagne with her meals and likes to eat out.

“’I know every restaurant in the region,’ she said. ‘I go to restaurants every weekend, but I only eat a little. I go not so much to eat, but to go out and be with friends.’ She paused and leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘I want to give you the secret to longevity: Laugh and have fun and make jokes.’”

Wine, foie gras and jokes? Even in moderation, it sounds like a plan.