Why people in France live longer: Eating habits explained

The French have long been renowned for their longevity, with many enjoying good health well into old age.

Life expectancy is 85.6 years for women and 80 years for men, according to data published in 2025 by national statistics agency Insee. This compares to 83.8 years for women and 80 years for men in the UK, and 81.4 years and 76.5 years in the US.

France also has one of the lowest obesity rates in Europe, with people living longer in better health, according to France’s national health statistics agency.

Diet is one of the key contributors to longevity, heart health and healthy ageing in France.

“One of the first things I noticed after moving here was the importance of mealtimes,” said nutritionist Emma Penrose, who moved to France from the UK in 2011, aged 23, and now lives in Lot-et-Garonne.

“In France, eating is a time to connect with friends, family or colleagues.

“The French take their time, eating slowly and enjoying each other’s company.”

Quality over quantity

From a nutritional and longevity standpoint, France’s ‘slow food’ culture offers several important health advantages, she said, ranging from social connection and better digestion to preventing overeating.

The French place more emphasis on quality over quantity than is typical in the UK or US.

“Traditional, minimally processed food is full of real, complex flavours and natural fats, which means it satisfies the brain’s reward centres much faster,” said Ms Penrose.

“In contrast, many highly processed 'low-fat' diet foods common in the UK and US are stripped of natural flavours and fats, which leaves people biologically unsatisfied and drives them to keep reaching for more.”

Ms Penrose’s own professional journey – she now focuses on healthy ageing – grew out of living in France.

“Back in the UK, I thought opening a jar of pasta sauce counted as cooking, but in rural France those shortcuts simply weren’t the norm. Visiting local markets and learning to cook with fresh, seasonal ingredients was genuinely life-changing.” 

The focus on quality in France also shifts the mindset away from food guilt. 

“In the UK and US, rich foods are often labelled either ‘good’ or ‘bad’, which can create anxiety around eating. In France, food is more often seen as a source of pleasure and heritage. 

“From a nutritional therapy perspective, that is a real health advantage.

“Eating in a state of guilt or stress can trigger cortisol release, which affects blood sugar regulation and may promote weight gain around the middle. By simply enjoying their food, the French tend to support a healthier metabolic response.”

Healthy fats

The Mediterranean diet, which includes healthy fats such as olive oil, has long been linked to longevity, but how true is that in France?

“It is still widely considered the gold standard for health. Olive oil absolutely plays a major role… and remains the one oil that almost everyone still agrees on. It is a remarkably healthy, stable fat, rich in oleic acid and antioxidants, both of which support cardiovascular health.”

Another cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet embraced by the French is pulses, particularly lentils. 

“In France, they are a staple part of everyday eating. Nutritionally, this is fantastic: they are high in fibre, which is essential for gut health; they provide slow-release carbohydrates that help prevent blood sugar spikes; and they are rich in iron, magnesium and folate.”

Ms Penrose also praises France’s school dinners, often a three- to four-course balanced meal that is a “world away” from the packed lunches of her British childhood. 

“This is a vital form of early health education. From the age of three, children are taught to appreciate a wide range of tastes and textures, to value the social aspect of eating together, and to understand instinctively what a balanced meal looks like.”

Rise of obesity

However, France has not completely escaped the rising levels of obesity in the West. 

In 2023, social security provider l’Assurance Maladie raised the alarm over a “worrying” rise in obesity among the youngest in society, with 17% of six- to 17-year-olds overweight and 4% obese. 

“While the traditional school dinner system provides a brilliant anchor in early childhood, teenagers and young adults are increasingly drawn to the convenience of ultra-processed food,” said Ms Penrose. 

“The danger is not just the calories, but the way these fibre-stripped foods can disrupt the gut microbiome and create blood-sugar rollercoasters, setting the stage for chronic inflammation later in life.

“Only time will tell if the healthy habits and traditional food culture they are taught in childhood will win out against the fast and ultra-processed food culture.”

And what of the stereotypically ‘French’ foods that don’t fit neatly into the healthy eating bracket, including pastries, wine and cheese?

“I think there is a common misconception that the daily diet in France consists of croissants, cheese and cigarettes! Indulgent foods are, of course, a big part of the culture, but the context in which they are eaten differs from the UK and US,” said Ms Penrose. 

“A pastry is treated with real respect: it is a mindful, occasional pleasure, often saved for the weekend, rather than a mindless snack grabbed from the cupboard without much thought.”