Spain Emerges as Healthiest Country in the World

According to the latest Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index, Spain is the healthiest country in the world, with Italy coming at a close second.

The study was based on information obtained from the World Bank, the United Nations Population Division and the World Health Organisation. It took several lifestyle factors into consideration, such as obesity, tobacco and eating habits, as well as a number of environmental factors like access to clean water and sanitation.

Each of the 169 countries across the world was given a ‘health grade’ following the completion of the study, with Spain earning an overall grade of 92,75. Italy came second with a health grade of 91,59 and Iceland third with 91,44.

The United Nations data shows that Spain has the highest life expectancy out of all the countries in the world. This might be as a result of the nourishing Mediterranean diet we follow here in Spain, which is known to reduce instances of mortality in older people.

Olive-oil-and-olives

The Mediterranean diet referred to here is a diet rich in healthy oils, from food items such as fish, olives, and olive oil. These foods are known to have several health benefits, and can even slow down the development of senile dementia illnesses such as Alzheimer’s.

You can adopt the Mediterranean diet in your lifestyle, regardless of whether you live in Spain! Choose seafood such as anchovies and octopus instead of red meat, and add olive oil to your foods, whether it means substituting it for other oils and butter in your cooking, or simply adding it on the top of your salad and toast.

“Pan tumaca” is a deliciously healthy snack that comes from traditional Catalan cuisine: rub fresh tomato on your toast, drizzle some olive oil on top and season with salt.

octopus

Spain has many delicious traditional dishes on its national menu, ranging from pulpo a la gallega to gazpacho. Pulpo a la gallega is a dish that is made with fresh octopus, cooked in the Galician style. Octopus is high in healthy omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, which are essential to maintaining heart health. It is also low in fat and calories, and contains 30 grams of protein!

Gazpacho is one of Spain’s most well-known dishes, and is served in Spanish restaurants the world over. This dish is a cold soup made of a mixture of raw vegetables and served with a tomato base. Gazpacho is one of the most hearty dishes you can make with your leftover vegetables, while saving money and staying healthy!

Gazpacho soup

It’s no wonder the Spanish have been named the healthiest people in the world, with beautiful dishes like these lining lunch and dinner tables all over the country.

Discover Marbella’s cuisine whilst studying at MIUC!

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