Spain is the healthiest country in the world, at least according to the Bloomberg healthiest countries index, which rates 169 countries. Spain is the healthiest country in the world, at least according to the Bloomberg healthiest countries index, which classifies 169 countries and is prepared taking into account a wide range of different indicators, in addition to studies by the UN, the World Bank and the World Health Organization. Spain was recently named the healthiest country in the world by the Bloomberg Healthiest Countries Index, an index that evaluates the health of 169 nations based on indicators provided by the UN, the World Bank and the World Health Organization. Among the various factors that contribute to this distinction, Mediterranean lifestyle and diet stand out as key elements for health and well-being of the Spaniards.
The Mediterranean diet is, as its name suggests, a dietary pattern characteristic of Mediterranean countries, such as Spain. Although Portugal is a country bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, its similar characteristics, such as its climate and its proximity to the “neighboring sea”, make it possible to consider it a Mediterranean country; for example, Portugal follows the Mediterranean diet. Inspired primarily by the cuisines of Greece and southern Italy, the Mediterranean diet is well established as one of the healthiest dietary patterns in the world, especially for preventing cardiovascular disease. However, recent research has highlighted the benefits of traditional diets from other parts of Europe, namely, the Nordic diet (which includes foods from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) and the Atlantic diet (which is inspired by the cuisine of northwestern Spain and Portugal).
This depends on your personal preferences. If you love fresh salads and seafood, Greece may be your ideal destination. For pasta lovers, Italy is a must see. If you are intrigued by exotic spices, Lebanon will enchant your taste buds.
Finally, for those who enjoy community dining experiences, Spain offers an unforgettable culinary adventure. Several studies have linked the Mediterranean diet to many health benefits, such as reduced aging, a healthier brain, weight loss and a lower risk of cancer. In the great symphony of the world's cuisines, Mediterranean food touches a sensitive fiber that resonates with flavors as rich as its history. The Mediterranean diet began to attract attention as a healthy way of eating in the 1950s, when scientist Ancel Keys, PhD, of the School of Energy at the University of Minnesota discovered a correlation between eating habits, the styles of life and cardiovascular health.
News and World Report has given first place to the Mediterranean diet for the seventh consecutive year. The Eastern Mediterranean region includes Middle Eastern cuisine and comprises Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Egypt. In addition to other factors, the Spanish lifestyle is based on the Mediterranean diet, which was one of the key points in this classification. The peoples of the Mediterranean have always seen how their land and their lives are intertwined and there is a deep respect for food and the enjoyment of it, because both are born from the land where most of the products in their diets come from.
Anyone can follow the Mediterranean diet if they choose to eat this way no matter where in the world they are. In Italy, as in other parts of the Mediterranean, people cook, bake and fry their food in olive oil. The Mediterranean diet is rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and oilseeds (such as nuts), and fish with omega-3, which helps reduce body inflammation. The western Mediterranean region, Italy, France and Spain (and Malta), is the one that usually gets all the attention when it comes to Mediterranean diet.
In addition to alcohol, the Mediterranean diet asks you to limit ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and foods high in sugar (excluding fruits), Berghoff says. Let's get away and take a look at the great Mediterranean region and all the delicacies it offers. Both share many characteristics with the Mediterranean diet, as they emphasize whole and minimally processed plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes (beans and peas) and nuts.
