Why the French Live Longer

Studies reveal that 90 percent of Frenchwomen older than 50 remain sexually active, compared with only 60 percent of American women. Not only are all these rolls in the hay fun, but they also have the potential to help you live a longer life. Sex gives you a quick cardiovascular boost because it gets your heart rate up, and it has also been shown to help bring down blood pressure. And sex can ward off stress by flooding your brain with endorphins. It also helps you sleep. All we can say is ooh la la!

3. They know walking is the best exercise.

The French often look askance at Americans who talk incessantly about working out at the gym. Instead of sweating it up in spin class, the French tend to incorporate walking into their daily routines. They take the long way home when walking the dog and opt for stairs in lieu of elevators. According to some studies, the average French citizen walks significantly more than the average American. Brisk walking not only bestows cardiovascular benefits, but it also gives you a nice workout without damaging your joints.

4. They know that a little wine can be good for you.

It's true that the French appear to be drinking less wine than they used to. Research has found that more than half of adults were consuming wine on a near-daily basis in 1980. Today that number has fallen to below 17 percent. And yet there's no doubt many in France still enjoy wine with their meals — but without overdoing it. Multiple studies have shown that consuming a moderate amount of alcohol not only benefits your cardiovascular health, but it also may reduce your risk of dementia. Moderate drinkers also may be at less risk for type 2 diabetes and gallstones. Of course, drinking too much alcohol is never a good idea.

5. And they know that a slower pace of life is the way to go.

When Americans talk about getting a coffee, they usually mean dashing into a Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts and grabbing a takeaway latte. When the French talk about getting a coffee, more often than not they mean actually traveling to a cafe, sitting down at a table and sipping a coffee that's not in a paper cup — usually with a friend. Dining is a time to relax, savor a varied diet and talk about the day. Americans often rush through mealtime while checking their email every few seconds. Talk about raising your stress level! And what about time off? Americans are used to getting two weeks of vacation a year, while in France, workers generally get at least 30 paid days off — if not more.

To summarize: Oui, oui!