I recently had the chance to tag along with Dry Farm Wines when they visited Europe and I got to see some of the amazing family-owned vineyards where their wines are grown.
One of my goals when we left for Europe was to figure out some of the reasons that many European countries routinely rank higher than the US in so many health metrics. My thought was to find at least 5-7 reasons that could explain this. I went home with a list of 30+ potential reasons!
Why Are Europeans Statistically Healthier (Than Americans)?
The US is consistently ranked near the bottom in most health metrics and mortality. On top of that, we spend more in healthcare than other countries and are less healthy.
The reasons I suspect make the biggest difference in Europeans’ health metrics and longevity were not related as much to food (surprisingly) but to other basic lifestyle factors. Certainly, there were food differences as well, but from what I saw, other factors make a much bigger difference.
Since we can’t all move to Italy (though I certainly might if I could!) I came home with these ideas to incorporate into my daily life here and to bring a little bit of Europe home. Of course, not all of these factors are true in all of Europe and there are exceptions to every rule, but these are some of the biggest factors I noticed in the areas that we visited.
1. More Focus on Community
I immediately noticed this difference and suspect that this alone could explain many of the health differences. All of the places we visited had a very strong and noticeable focus on community.
Each night, these families and communities shared a big common meal and spent several hours talking, drinking wine, and enjoying each others’ company. They didn’t eat in the car on the way to other activities and their lives didn’t revolve around external activities and kids’ sports. Family dinner was a given each day and the family spent time preparing the food together, eating together, and relaxing together.
Recent studies show that having strong relationships and community is one of the most important factors for health. In fact, community/relationships are statistically more important for health than quitting smoking and twice as statistically significant as regular exercise.
Seeing this difference in Europe firsthand, I’m inclined to think that the focus on relationships may be one of the biggest (if not the biggest) factor for better health outcomes in Europe.
2. More (& Better) Wine
For the families we visited, wine was a part of daily life. In fact, many of them drank a small amount of wine at lunch and a glass (or more) at dinner as well. From a health perspective, this is an interesting point. On one hand, alcohol is by its nature toxic (and Todd and I talk about it in this podcast episode).
On the other hand, people in many of the original Blue Zones (places where a higher percentage of people live to be 100+) consume wine daily.
So why the difference? I have two theories.
- Wine contains many beneficial compounds like flavonoids, resveratrol, and other beneficial plant compounds that are good for the body. With wine consumption in moderation, these beneficial compounds likely outweigh any potential downside to the wine.
- Alcohol in low amounts (like low-alcohol wines) may be a hormetic stress. This means that a compound (like alcohol) can be dangerous in high amounts but beneficial in small doses. The small amount of stress it places on the body can actually make the body stronger rather than weaker.
The other important difference is that the people we visited are drinking natural wines, which are much better than even organic or biodynamic. They are not irrigated (lower sugar and alcohol content), use native yeast fermentation (probiotics and good bacteria), and are tested to make sure they don’t have pesticides or added sulfites.
(If you want to try these delicious natural wines, you can get an extra bottle for a penny through this link.)
3. Less Plastic Exposure
You may already know how much I dislike plastic and why I think we should all be working really hard to reduce plastic use. Many plastics contain known endocrine disruptors and plastic overuse is causing problems in our oceans and water supply. Europe as a whole does much better on reducing plastic use due to policy and personal decisions.
Not only do grocery stores charge for bags (up to around $1 each in some cases), some don’t offer plastic bags at all! Many foods came in glass or other reusable packaging and many families grow much of their own food at their house (more on that below).
Almost everyone I saw at markets and grocery stores brought their own bags or backpacks and many of them walked to and from the stores. Mineral water came in glass bottles that were reused or recycled. Many people we met go to the markets and prepare food fresh each day, avoiding the plastic packaging from many products. In one town we visited, people would visit the local pasta maker, butcher, and produce market each day and buy incredible fresh food to prepare that evening.
4. More Walking and Movement
I saw almost no gyms on our entire trip but most of the people we met get more “exercise” than most of America does. The families we met certainly didn’t head off to a gym to “work out” for an hour each day, but their daily life involves walking to and from town, working on vines or in the garden, and preparing food. They very seldom sat still and were often walking so they don’t need supplemental exercise to stay healthy.
This lines up with current research as well. A few years ago, reports came out showing that “sitting is the new smoking” and that any of us who sit too much on a daily basis are at a higher risk of health problems. Many people switched to stand-up desks or other options.
Then, a follow-up report came out showing that it turns out that standing all day can be equally problematic and that we are just meant to MOVE throughout the day in different ways. In Europe, when we were in cities, we walked most places because it was faster than trying to take a car. In smaller towns and vineyards, we walked with the families as they cared for vines or went into town for food.
We walked well over 75 miles in less than two weeks!
5. Nap Time
I’d heard of the afternoon siesta in Spain, and Italy has a similar nap tradition referred to as riposo. Think of it as a longer lunch break that involves some time for resting or napping. Especially in the small towns, many businesses shut down for a few hours around lunch time so everyone could go home and rest.
During the heat of the day, it felt great to rest and take some time off, and everyone came back refreshed and ready to work a few more hours. Rather than fight the “afternoon slump,” Europe seems to embrace it and respect time for rest.
Recent science shows the many benefits of a 20-30 minute quick nap. In fact, Harvard Health recently released a report explaining the benefits of a quick nap and how it can positively affect circadian rhythm. Companies like Google are jumping on the bandwagon too, creating nap-friendly environments and even “nap pods” for employees. (Any other moms think a “nap pod” sounds like an amazing idea? I want one!)
6. Less Air Conditioning
Full disclosure: this wasn’t my favorite part of Europe, but even this has some hidden health benefits. Many places we visited didn’t have air conditioning and it was often in the high 80s or even low 90s during the day. This meant I was sweating at least 60% of our visit… but this turns out to be good for health too. (Plus, it saves energy!)
Sweating is one of the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms and is said to be great for the skin microbiome. On top of that, sweating may help balance mineral ratios in the body and a good regular sweat may even help avoid kidney stones.
For most of history, humans also haven’t had the luxury of being at a constant 70 degree temperature all year long and it turns out this can have some unintended consequences as well. When we don’t experience the extreme heat of summer or the extreme cold of winter, we miss out on some important benefits:
- The stress of heat exposure activates genes that optimize heat shock proteins within cells. Why does this matter? Heat shock proteins are involved with avoiding plaque formation in the brain and are also linked to longevity. (Side note: this is another reason saunas can be so beneficial)
- Cold exposure, on the other hand, increases norepinephrine in the brain, leading to improved mood, better sleep, better focus, and increased resilience to stress.
7. Growing Food at Home
I was surprised how much gardening was a part of daily life in many of the places we visited. Almost every family had a private family garden (often in addition to commercial products like grapes, olives, or tomatoes that they sold).
One family in particular, Casa di Baal (wines coming soon to Dry Farm Wines), grew everything their family ate with the exception of only three food products they bought at the store: coffee, flour, and sugar. The tomatoes, artichokes, olives, arugula, and everything else we ate at their home was grown a few feet away. Their mucca (cow) produced the milk their family used, and they pressed their own fresh olive oil from trees on their farm. Peacocks and chickens produced eggs that they ate and the chicken we had for lunch at their house had been prepared just a few hours before… straight from the backyard.
There was no need for an “eat local” movement because many of them didn’t even have to go to the local farmer’s market… their food came from the backyard.
Gardening has so many benefits, and there are many reasons we should all incorporate growing our own food into daily life. Seeing the way families did this, even on balconies and tiny patios made me realize just how much room for growth we have in this area and inspired me to come home and plant some fig trees, fruit trees, and a more permanent garden.
8. Better Use of Space… and Stairs
Minimalism has become trendy in the US lately as we all KonMari our houses. In Europe, it seemed that in general, people owned less “stuff” and made better use of space. Even those who seemed to be able to afford very large houses seemed to focus on spaces that were the size they actually needed and that kept the focus on community spaces and family areas.
Since many buildings were built hundreds of years ago, they didn’t have elevators and had #allthestairs (more natural movement). Most houses and buildings didn’t have massive rooms or built-in closets. Everything seemed very functional and organized and used space well.
9. No Dryers
Another part that was admittedly not my favorite… the absence of clothing dryers (and even of washing machines in some areas). I’m not sure this is the standard throughout Europe but where we visited, it was common to see clotheslines in the yards with freshly cleaned clothes on them each day.
Turns out, this has many benefits too. It saves energy not to use a dryer, washing and hanging clothes is natural exercise, and the sun is a natural sanitizer so clothes stay fresh and don’t shrink.
Other Health Factors
The list above sums up the biggest reasons I think many Europeans are largely healthier. I’m sure there’s a couple dozen more reasons that include everything from less access to fast food (especially in rural areas), to eating more slowly and preparing almost everything from scratch, to getting more sleep.
In general, the people we met also seemed to prioritize family and friends more and have much less stress on a daily basis. I came really close to volunteering to be a farmhand at one of the small vineyards there so I could soak up the incredible life they live.
Bottom Line: Lessons from Europe
At the end of the day, while Italy is amazing and stole a piece of my heart, it isn’t a panacea (no place is) and it has its fair share of problems too. That said, I think we can learn something from everywhere we go and every person we meet. Europe had its fair share of important life lessons and I hope to go back sometime soon.
At the same time, there are a few things they could possibly learn from the US too, like maybe not driving with babies in a backpack carrier… on a motorcycle.
But for me, since our trip, I’m making an effort to walk or bike whenever possible in my local area, to grow more of the food we eat, and to really prioritize building strong community where we live.
Ever been to Europe? Why do you think Europeans are healthier than Americans?
I have been to Europe; England and France. I have witnessed the same things you highlight. Community, Gardens, Walking, and Wine. I have also experienced the same throughout Canada. I believe this form of community effort has something to do with the “all for one and one for all” attitude the more socialist countries have towards one another. Where as the USA is more “Me-me-me”. Don’t get me wrong; I am from the USA. These are just my thoughts from much travel.
Thank you for sharing YOU, I love your blog.
Well ,I mooved from USA to Poland 3weeks ago. Me and my husband lived in States for 19 years. I developed food alergies, pollen allergies and stomach discomfort after almost every meal. We always ate in good restaurants or I was cooking from scratch. Right now we live in Warsaw capital of Poland, all my allergies disappeared, food finally have a taste, no more stomach problems …………Conclusion, USA food is slowly poisoning people and most of them don’t care!
I found your article enlightening. You validated many of the observations Anthony Bourdain had experienced traveling around the world, where he observed families eating fresh and local foods which provided some of the underpinnings of their communities.
By the way, I would drink wine, but I absolutely abhor the taste. Maybe it’s just the brand? Maybe the “make” (Pinot noir, etc.)?
Perhaps the wine you’ve tried was the wrong temperature when you tried it.Or it was served with the wrong thing. Or it was served by itself when there should have been some kind of food. Or it had turned, but no one drinking it understood that.
We never understood the appeal of dry red wines when we were in our 20s. Then someone who knew wine served a good Bordeaux, at the right temperature. That’s when we began to appreciate the nuance. Since then it’s been a journey. Some bottles get saved and purchased routinely, others only have a sip before they go down the drain.
Start with the known, consistent brands and then experiment from there.
Most of all, enjoy!
In one of the episodes from The Human Longevity Project, the idea of “community” was also addressed. It was a beautiful thing to behold, and I was totally jealous.
It is my belief that we know in our hearts that “connection” is vital to us in many ways, yet we, especially as Americans I think, are very distracted by technology.
Living in a rural area and now having my first garden ever, I am beginning to experience “community” in ways that, just a few years ago were foreign to me. It’s not as much “community” as I would like, but it’s better than it was.
I completely agree with all of this! I spent 4 weeks in Fiesole (Italian countryside) when I was in college, and it shocked me how much healthier the lifestyle was there. Leathery Italian grandmothers holding bags filled with groceries didn’t have the same trouble that us American undergrads did going up steep hills. The natural methods for cooking and other chores were so much more in tune with the earth, and the sense of community was incredible. I will say, however, that the Italian cities we visited (particularly Florence) were not as enviably healthy. There was little greenery and as a result, pollution was terrible; poverty and pick-pocketing were also rampant to a degree that I wasn’t used to in the States. Overall, though, I lost 10 pounds in a month and felt much healthier than I ever had before! And the lack of AC was difficult at first, but it was a shock to the system to get back to the freezing cold AC temps of the US!
I am sorry to say that much of what you have written is typical of an American who only visits Italy for a brief period and only certain rural areas. It is time to stop romanticizing Europe. I have lived, as an Italian, in Italy since 1976 and the reality of life in Italy is hardly what you have painted; this is an older way of life that really hardly exists any more. I grew up in America, when life was different there too, but Italy has a pace of life not dissimilar to the US many people are now grossly overweight and eat fast foods, families do not dine together as much as they did and gyms…do exist and are used often. People DO NOT walk as much as you think, and because of the difficult financial situation in the country for over 10 years, people are super stressed. Lets get real and stop romanticizing Europe. I have lived in 2 European countries for many years and am “married” to someone from a third European country. I constantly here in the US about the Mediterranean diet (which virtually no longer exists) people drink much less wine than 40 years ago, and often there is a lot of junk in it (I was in the industry for 14 years) . Once upon a time, some parts of Europe had a healthier life style…not so much now. Maybe overall slightly better than in the US, but then, not all of the US is alike either.
One thing that I can say for Europeans, many still take personal responsibility seriously and I am glad that I am not bound by the nanny state that the US is becoming; I am not at all convinced that by making us abide by certain restrictions that these are supposed to save us; I do prefer the liberty with which I live in Europe – where people still make decisions for themselves and some “laws” are virtually ignored. I did not grow up in the nanny state and do not want to be part of it. People are becoming more and more dependant on the state telling them how to live their lives, people are afraid of EVERYTHING and the intelligence and pioneer spirit are being bred out of Americans. As I lead “adventure” trips in Europe, I see it every day. God help the upcoming generations who won’t be able to think for themselves nor have any manual dexterity. Sorry for the diatribe, but you struck some really painful chords here.
What nanny state in the US are you talking about? No such thing.
California. They want to regulate your child from womb to tomb. Mandatory vaccines, wanting to do away with home schooling….it’s all there. Big Nanny State.
I find your (Christy) assessment interesting since I too have lived for the past 17 years in Europe and am married to a European, because I find almost all of what she has written to be true. And that is coming from living in two different countries than the ones she mentioned visiting. I would add a 9th to be honest, even though I believe she has mentioned this in a separate article, they don’t wear shoes in the house tracking all sorts of muck and bacteria all over their houses as is common in the U.S.
Did you know that you can buy a house in allay silvia (Region of Barbagio) in Italy for $1.00? It would cost around $25,000 to do the renovations and would have to be done in 3 years.
When I got married in Italy, I also noticed that they express their feelings loudly and passionately, and then laugh, hug you, and move on…!! I have a feeling there is much less “depression” or need for “therapy” over there because of this…! 😉
try living here for 40 years. yes, people can touch and hug which is wonderful, but moving on? hmmm… there are just as many people needing help to get through the day here as in the US, maybe not for the same reasons…but there are LOTS of problems – they are just different.
Yes, dryers and A/C units are not a standard in Europe (yet). Most houses are build with stone and therefore keep the heat out more than what the avarage American home does. (Some places have strict energy saving building codes when building new homes, a far cry from what we see here.) Siestas are usually a thing in the warmer southern countries, which makes total sense.
The infrastructure usually makes walking or biking to town fairly easy.
Over here we try so hard to make our everyday life easy and convenient, just so we can go to the gym later. We use toxic chemicals for easy cleaning, instead of muscle power that includes a free workout…
There is a reason why America is sick.
What part of Europe are you referring to? I live in Europe, TONS of people have dryers and AC!! Europe does just the same, trying to make life easier and more convenient and women cook less as they all work, convenience foods are common, luckily they are often of higher quality – but not always. During the “siesta” most of us still are working, (or cooking the midday meal) so our days are SUPER LONG and we are worn out at the end of the day.
Most houses now are NOT built of stone!! That is a thing of the past (I was rebuilding stone colonicas in the 80s, there are few left) People have just the same problems with heat and cold in fact, moreso because houses are NOT properly insulated!!