Health Tips from Argentina
«Su cuerpo escucha todo lo que le dice su mente. Siga adelante. Usted puede!»
«Your body hears everything your mind says. Keep going. You can!»
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¡Vamos, Vamos, Argentina! - To lower stress and boosting immunity
¡Vamos, vamos, Argentina! (Let's go, let's go Argentina!) is a popular chant in Argentina, used by supporters in sports events, mainly in football matches of the national team and related celebrations. Research has shown that singing can be good for you on many levels. It may help lower stress, boost immunity and lung function, enhance memory, improve mental health, and help you cope with physical and emotional pain. One of the best things about singing is that you don't have to be good at it to reap the rewards.
The chanting adds meaning to Argentineans lives. Having a meaning in life does more than ‘just’ give meaning to your life: Research over time has shown that people with a sense of meaning in life have lower divorce rates, lower likelihood of living alone, increased social connectivity, lower chances of being depressed, and increased activity rates. Statistics show that Argentina dropped from 103 to 43 searches per 100,000 people for 'divorce' between 2019 and 2020, the largest decrease worldwide.
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Being a superfan - Combats social class, stress and depression
The Argentineans are superfans of their La Albiceleste (the blue and whites), with good reasons. Not only do they have some of the best players in the world, but they perform an art few other teams can do…and they have Messi.
Being a superfan not only helps with relieving stress and depression, it also acts as a self-esteem booster. This feeling is called reflected glory and it's the positive effect you feel from your team winning. It allows you to experience success which you wouldn't have had if you were not a fan.
When people cheer for the same team - as a fanbase - the social differences are removed. There is hence no difference beween the butcher, baker, and candlestick maker.
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Playing football - For the heart, brain and friendship
Football is the most popular sport in Argentina. For generations and at a very young age boys and girls play football at school, at sport clubs and even on the streets. This love about the most popular sport around the world is not for kids only. People of all ages play football with friends and family.
Although football is an impact sport and there is a small risk of injury, the benefits to your fitness far outweigh this. This exercise is great for your cardiovascular health and helps to avoid illnesses and diseases. Playing football also requires a certain amount of coordination. This will help you to think faster and make decisions in a spontaneous way.
BUT wait a second…El Pato is the official national sport.
Though footaball is the most popular sport, El Pato is the official sport. Pato has been played in Argentina since the 1600s. It is traditionally a game played by gauchos on horseback, which combines elements of polo and basketball. However, instead of a ball, a basket is used, which historically contained a live duck inside, hence the name. Today a ball is used in place of the duck, but the same rules apply. A quick intro to El Pato
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Mate - A socializing drink with health benefits
Yerba Mate is an herbal tea. This tea, commonly known simply as mate, is the national drink of Argentina. The leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant are dried, typically over a fire, and steeped in hot water to make an herbal tea. Yerba mate may be served cold or hot. Like black tea, yerba mate contains caffeine, which is a stimulant.
People who recommend yerba mate say that it can relieve fatigue, aid in weight loss, ease depression, and help treat headaches and various other conditions. Others will say that it helps to keep your digestive system clear and will give you a feeling of satiety. There is however limited evidence that yerba mate may help with some of these conditions.
There are many secrets to preparing a good Mate, it is served with a metal straw in a container typically made from a calabash gourd. Usually the Mate is shared by a group of people, in that way mate is not only a drink, but a ritual and a shared moment with friends and family.
Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.
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Asado - A socializing bbq with health benefits
Asado is a barbecue specially prepared, it can include different kinds of meats and sausages. There are different methods to prepare an Asado, which can be done using a horizontal grill and the whole pieces could be cooked vertically. All this meat is served with salads of all kinds.
Eating large amounts of bbq meat is not very healthy, but the tradition of barbecue includes sharing quality moments with family and friends. Laughing and singing together certainly helps to have a healthy spirit. So, make sure you eat a lot of salads, sing along and enjoy the moment of togetherness. That is healthy.
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Siesta - A nap for heart, brain and BP
Argentina has 3.694km from north to south, there are very low temperatures in the south and very high temperatures in the north the main part of the year. At noon some regions are especially hot, that is the main reason for the habit of taking a nap right after lunch.
Taking a nap will prevent you from being exposed to high temperatures and it will give you the needed energy to finish the day. It prevents heart disease, reduces blood pressure, promotes concentration and stimulates creativity.
More than half of Argentinians (53%) take a nap at least once a week, and the majority do so on weekends. Naps are typical from the smallest towns, not for the big cities.
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Beso - A kiss to embrace health
Kissing on the cheek (beso) when greeting hello and goodbye is part of Argentine culture. When Argentines enter a room, every single person, stranger or family, receives one kiss on the right cheek. The same thing is done when leaving. Not only is this greeting an act of courtesy, but it is also an act with many health benefits.
A warm and inclusive greeting can;
- lower your stress throughout the day
- give your immune system a healthy boostmight
- lower your heart rates and blood pressure
- lead to decreased depression
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An orange a day - Keeps the flue away
Orange is the most popular and most consumed fruit in Argentina. It usually is the cheapest fruit and consumers can always find it at the greengrocers. It is also the most cultivated citrus.
For Argentineans, an orange is a treasure trove of nutrients and protective plant compounds, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Studies show that consuming oranges regularly may benefit your health in several ways.
In addition to vitamin C that keeps the flue away, oranges have other nutrients that keep your body healthy. The fiber in oranges can e.g., keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce high cholesterol to prevent cardiovascular disease.
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Eat the season - Peaking the benefits
There’s nothing like a tomato in the summer with the flavor of an actual juicy tomato, a creamy avocado in late spring, a deep orange roasted pumpkin in the fall, or a hearty root vegetable soup in the winter. Argentineans are known to eat the season, based on taste, price and availability.
Seasonally fresh produce is picked when it is fully developed at the peak of the season. With optimal growing conditions and more sun exposure come higher levels of antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, folate, and beta-Carotene!
There are many reason to eat according to the season, but top five reasons are:
No. 1 – Fresh & Flavorful
No. 2 – Nutrition Powerhouse
No. 3 – Support Your Bodies’ Natural Nourishment Needs
No 4. – Environmentally Friendly
No. 5 – Save Money
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Strong family values - For better wellbeing
Family values are central to life and culture in Argentina. This applies to immediate families as well as wider, extended families. The men and women at the head of the family command a great deal of respect, and notions of respect and honour are crucial in Argentina culture. Younger generations look up to their parents, grandparents and other authority figures with respect and admiration. At the same time, older generations have a responsibility to look after the younger ones and to provide for them.
Families spend a lot of time together, particularly at meal times. There is also a general expectation placed upon individuals to be loyal and committed to their family by putting the interests of the family above their own.
Close-knit family relations provide Argentines with a network of security and support, particularly in times of need. Families often sacrifice much to provide their children with a good education, and in turn, children usually care for their parents as they age.
Research shows that having a strong support system (like a family) has many positive benefits. Some of the best benefits include higher levels of well-being, better coping skills, and a longer healthier life. Having a support system has also been proven to reduce depression and anxiety and reduce stress.
Nugget: Argentinians are super passionate about their meat and it shows: their steak is world-famous! This is largely due to the abundance of cows. According to the Cattle Network, Argentina is one of five countries in the world (along with Uruguay, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia) which has more cows than people.
