Spain enjoys best health and life expectancy in Europe

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a report confirming that the Spanish have the best health and life expectancy in the continent. 

The good news, however, comes with the caveat that alcohol consumption and obesity may become issues in the country if the present rates continue.

The National Drugs Plan conducted a survey in 2015 and found that alcohol consumption is at 11.2 litres per person per year, which is almost twice as much as the world average of 6.2 litres. The average in Europe is 10.9 litres. 

On the other side of the findings, 31 per cent of Spanish people told the survey they hadn’t drunk any alcohol whatsoever in the past year.

Spain may be known as a wine country to some but 50 per cent of Spaniards say their favourite drink is beer. Spirits are in second place with 28 per cent and wine third with 20 per cent.

One standard alcoholic drink has 10 grams of alcohol and the WHO reports that binge drinking is anything over six standard drinks in one drinking session.

One standard drink is the equivalent of 200 cc of wine or beer, whereas a 50cc whiskey equates to two standard drinks.