NEW YORK, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Consuming the grape-based luxury brandy Armagnac in moderation has been shown to help prevent blood clots according to a recent study conducted by Professor Nicholas Moore, a researcher at the University of Bordeaux in France. Armagnac is produced in southwest France -- the region where the “French Paradox” of a low cardiovascular mortality rate is most prominent.
According to the study, Armagnac has an effect similar to that of aspirin in helping to reduce clotting. These healthful properties are attributed to the abundance of antioxidant-rich tannins (polyphenols) found in Armagnac. Armagnac is aged a minimum of several years, much longer than red wine and other distilled spirits, in barrels made from a rare-type of black oak.
“Our research suggest that natural chemicals from tannins, which are highly concentrated in Armagnac, can be beneficial to heart and circulatory health,” said Professor Moore.
The full study, which was published by “Thrombosis Research, Pergamon Press,” can be found on the website of the National Library of Medicine (National Library of Medicine).
Armagnac and the “French Paradox”
The “French Paradox” is a phenomenon wherein individuals with the same risk factors (age, weight, smoker, etc.) live longer and have a lower cardiovascular mortality rate than those in other northern countries. It is attributed to a diet rich in wine, fresh vegetables, cheese and olive oil.
The paradox is most pronounced in the southwest region of France, where Armagnac is produced. Residents there are known to drink more Armagnac than elsewhere (but not more wine) and live an average of two years longer than those in other areas of the country.
The Virtues of Armagnac -- the True “Eau de Vie”
In production for 600 years, Armagnac is France’s oldest “eau de vie” (a term for spirit that translates “water of life”). For centuries, the brandies’ medicinal properties have been recognized by experts of the time. In 1313, for example, Medical Doctor and Cardinal of the Catholic Church Prior Vital Dufour spelled out 40 health-related virtues of Armagnac in a book, which is now preserved in the archives of the Vatican. The concept of deriving health benefits from wood-based elements dates back to the days of early Indians.
Known as the haute couture of brandies, Armagnac is an all-natural and pure distilled grape spirit and has no additives prior to fermentation. Armagnac is produced only by small estates located in Gascony, France, home to a forest of special black oak trees (Quercus Robur and Quercus Petraea trees) not found in other spirit-producing regions and immortalized in the classic Alexandre Dumas novel, The Three Musketeers. Most of the estates are family-run businesses and pass along their artisanal secrets from generation to generation.
Bureau of Armagnac
CONTACT: Elaine Hamnett, KX Associates, +1-212-925-2507,Elaine@kxassociates.com, for Bureau of Armagnac