Living Longer in Andorra
Written by Siddarth Saikia
If you want to know how to live longer then you might want to set your sights on Andorra.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Andorrans' average life expectancy is 83.5, officially the highest in the world. As highlighted in an article by the BBC, this mountainous country sandwiched between France and Spain has a bunch of longevity secrets to offer.
The geography plays it's part, with rural farmers constantly climbing up and down mountains to herd their sheep and cattle. But the health care system is also quite superior. Andorrans have what the WHO ranks as the third-best public health system in the world to maintain them.
In addition to good medical facilities. Andorrans also have several state-of-the-art public health clubs. Not only are they free but you can also catch a free bus to take you to and from the facility. As a 70-year old Andorran woman, taking part in her weekly water aerobics class, puts it "There's no point in spending your retirement shut up at home."
Diet and cuisine also play their part. Chef Fabrice Cesar describes the kind of food that goes down best.
"Most of the dishes I produce in my kitchen are based on a simple formula," he says.
"Lean meat and fresh fruit and vegetables, lots of olive oil - things that are good for the heart, classic Mediterranean fare. Customers are interested in healthy food and they can tell what is healthy."
Andorrans also like to enjoy red wine, which is high in anti-oxidants. An indulgence that, in moderation, can help slow down the bodies aging process.
Government spokesman Juli Minoves has his own theory about their longevity, concerning their seven-century long history without war:
"So many years of peace and no army. I think that gives a lot of peace of mind to people. I think there is a psychological factor here, a feeling of safeness that people start to absorb from the moment they are born. Plus, there is a long tradition of democracy, of solving conflict in an amicable way."
Subscribe to this comment's feed
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
