You've probably heard of the French Paradox. It refers to the seeming contradiction discovered in regions of France where, despite a high intake of dairy fat, the people had low incidences of cardiovascular disease. At first it was believed that the alcohol in the wine was the factor that helped reduce their risk. As time went on, it was discovered that the paradox is only partly explained by the ability of alcohol to increase HDL or "good" cholesterol. Recent research has concentrated on the ability of the flavonoids in wine to play an active role in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease. The extremely high level of polyphenols in red wine, which is about twenty to fifty times higher than white wine, is due to the incorporation of the grape skins in the fermenting process. The polyphenols in grape skins are known to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, a critical event in the process of the development of coronary artery disease. As James Joseph at Tufts who did the original blueberry research says, "What's good for your heart is good for your brain." Researchers have also noted a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration with the consumption of limited amounts of red wine.