All hail the Mediterranean diet: Spain declared world's healthiest nation
Japan was the healthiest Asian nation.
By Bloomberg |
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By Lee Miller and Wei Lu
Maybe it’s something in the gazpacho or paella, as Spain just surpassed Italy to become the world’s healthiest country.
That’s according to the 2019 edition of the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index, which ranks 169 economies according to factors that contribute to overall health. Spain placed sixth in the previous gauge, published in 2017.
Four additional European nations were among the top 10 in 2019: Iceland (third place), Switzerland (fifth), Sweden (sixth) and Norway (ninth). Japan was the healthiest Asian nation, jumping three places from the 2017 survey into fourth and replacing Singapore, which dropped to eighth. Australia and Israel rounded out the top 10 at seventh and 10th place.
The index grades nations based on variables including life expectancy while imposing penalties on risks such as tobacco use and obesity. It also takes into consideration environmental factors including access to clean water and sanitation.
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Spain has the highest life expectancy at birth among European Union nations, and trails only Japan and Switzerland globally, United Nations data show. Spain by 2040 is forecast to have the highest lifespan, at almost 86 years, followed by Japan, Singapore and Switzerland, according to the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
"Primary care is essentially provided by public providers, specialized family doctors and staff nurses, who provide preventive services to children, women and elderly patients, and acute and chronic care," according to the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies 2018 review of Spain, noting a decline the past decade in cardiovascular diseases and deaths from cancer.
Eating Habits Researchers say eating habits may provide clues to health levels enjoyed by Spain and Italy, as a “Mediterranean diet, supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, had a lower rate of major cardiovascular events than those assigned to a reduced-fat diet,” according to a study led by the University of Navarra Medical School.
Meanwhile in North America, Canada’s 16th-place ranking far surpassed the U.S. and Mexico, both of which dropped slightly to 35th and 53rd. Life expectancy in the U.S. has been trending lower due to deaths from drug overdoses and suicides.
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National Nutrition Week: Keto, Paleo, GM, Most Effective Weight-Loss Diets
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In a world of convenience, where people prefer a bowl of instant noodles over a whole-grain chapatti, nutrition seems to have vanished from our plates. And thanks to such convenient options, the incidence of obesity, too, has been skyrocketing.
For all those who have crossed their healthy BMI mark and are overweight/obese, weight loss becomes one of the primary targets.
This National Nutrition Week, we bring to you 5 such diet plans which will help you lose weight in a the healthy manner.
In a world of convenience, where people prefer a bowl of instant noodles over a whole-grain chapatti, nutrition seems to have vanished from our plates. And thanks to such convenient options, the in..
Read More
A ketogenic diet or keto diet is one which needs you to go high on proteins and fats, and low in terms of carbohydrates. It is touted to be one of the most effective diet plans for weight loss.
A person who goes on a low-carb or no-carb diet experiences a sudden drop in body weight during the first few weeks itself. During this diet, the body does not get its source of energy. So it starts burning fat cells, resulting in quick weight loss.
Foods to eat: Fish, eggs, meat, oil, nuts, avocados, leafy greens and butter.
Foods to avoid: Grains, potatoes, rice, beans, sweets, cereals and other high-carb foods.
A ketogenic diet or keto diet is one which needs you to go high on proteins and fats, and low in terms of carbohydrates. It is touted to be one of the most effective diet plans for weight loss.
A..
Read More
A Mediterranean or plant-based diet has been deemed effective for preventing heart diseases and promoting a healthier life.
But there’s one benefit that usually doesn't get much credit, and that is its ability to induce weight loss.
The best part about this diet is that it offers all the essential nutrients which a human body needs for a healthy survival. This balanced regime needs you to eat natural foods and give up on processed items.
It also allows smaller portions of fish, dairy and poultry.
It is known to be more effective for weight loss than other low-fat diet plans.
A Mediterranean or plant-based diet has been deemed effective for preventing heart diseases and promoting a healthier life.
But there’s one benefit that usually doesn't get much credit, and that..
Read More
Basic requirement of the paleolithic or paleo diet is consuming as many natural products as much as possible.
Processed, sugary and refined foods are a big no. This cuts down on carb intake, therefore resulting in weight loss.
Basic requirement of the paleolithic or paleo diet is consuming as many natural products as much as possible.
Processed, sugary and refined foods are a big no. This cuts down on carb intake, the..
Read More
The General Motors diet promises a drop in weight by 6.5 kgs in just one week. Every single day on this diet allows you to eat different types of food groups.
A GM diet is broken into 7 days, each day strictly dedicated to one food group. Broadly, it permits vegetables, fruits, milk and meat. Processed, high-fat, sugary foods are to be avoided. Bananas and potatoes are also strictly off limits.
The General Motors diet promises a drop in weight by 6.5 kgs in just one week. Every single day on this diet allows you to eat different types of food groups.
A GM diet is broken into 7 days, eac..
Read More
Intermittent fasting is a popular weight loss diet plan. In this you need to eat and fast during a fixed period of time.
During specific hours of the day, you are allowed to eat what you want but during the fasting hours, you need to refrain from food completely.
This diet can be followed on every alternate day and and normal eating habits can be resumed in between.
One of the most commonly followed technique is the 16:8 plan. It includes a 16-hour fasting window and an 8-hour eating window. It is touted to be highly effective for weight loss.
Intermittent fasting is a popular weight loss diet plan. In this you need to eat and fast during a fixed period of time.
During specific hours of the day, you are allowed to eat what you want but..
Cuba placed five spots above the U.S., making it the only nation not classified as "high income" by the World Bank to be ranked that high. One reason for the island nation’s success may be its emphasis on preventative care over the U.S. focus on diagnosing and treating illness, the American Bar Association Health Law Section said in a report last year after vising Cuba.
South Korea improved seven spots to 17th while China, home to 1.4 billion people, rose three places to 52nd. Life expectancy in China is on track to surpass the U.S. by 2040, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
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Sub-Saharan economies accounted for 27 of the 30 unhealthiest nations in the ranking. Haiti, Afghanistan and Yemen were the others. Mauritius was the healthiest in Sub-Sahara, placing 74th globally as it had the lowest death rate by communicable diseases in a region still marred by infectious mortality.
