Madagascar had the WORST SCORE in terms of food quality. An average of 79% of people's consumption is derived from nutrient-poor cereals, roots and tubers, compared to a global average of 47%. It also tied with India in the THIRD WORST POSITION for undernourishment levels.
1. South Africa — 0.28. Scoring poorly on all measures, South Africa's scores for obesity, drinking, and life expectancy in particular made it the unhealthiest country in 2019. According to the index, Singapore was rated as having the top service and state of health globally in 2023.
There are a number of reasons Australia appears on our list of top 10 healthiest countries, from their high-quality of life, to the clean environment and easy access to healthy food. And that's before we get to their high standards of healthcare.
1/ Okinawan diet – Japan
So much so that Japan has the lowest obesity rates and second longest life expectancy of any developed country. The Okinawan diet is centred around fish, seafood, tofu, and other nutrient-rich ingredients. It's also extremely low in processed foods.
In addition to apples and pears, mangos, pineapples, bananas, grapes, and cherries are all fruits that are especially high in fructose sugar. The dose makes the poison, so while a little bit won't hurt as part of a healthy low-sugar diet, it can be easy to overindulge.
Currently, some of the most dangerous countries in the world according to the GPI include Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and Somalia, all of which are facing ongoing conflicts and high levels of violence.
Reviewing health factors such as life expectancy, maternal and infant mortality rates, and the incidence of tuberculosis, 24/7 Wall St. identified the healthiest and least healthy countries. Based on our analysis, Iceland is the healthiest nation, while the southern African nation of Lesotho ranks as the least healthy.
Part of the problem, according to the CDC, is access to healthy food. Food is all around people, but much of it isn't healthy. Grocery stores have aisles and aisles of foods packed with sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. Only a fraction of store space is devoted to healthy vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
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For the 2019 list, Spain rose five spots to number one, pushing out fellow Mediterranean nation Italy as the healthiest in the world. With a “health grade” of 92.75 (out of a possible 100), Spain easily surpassed countries like the United States, which got a 73.02 and came in 35th.
"The Aussie climate definitely drives a more active lifestyle simply because we tend to spend more time outdoors. We also have access to beautiful fresh produce all year round, which means it's easier to make better food choices and nourish our bodies in the right way."
The crime rate in Australia is much lower than in the United States of America. As Australia ranks 47th while the USA ranks on 30th according to their crime rates. It is so rare for police officers to carry guns due to the low crime rate.
Australia's long been referred to as 'the lucky country' and now we can start saying we're one of the happiest countries in the world, too. The United Nation's 2023 World Happiness Index has just been released, and Australia has come in at a very cheery 12th position.
In fact, Oxfam, the British-based advocacy group, ranked Saudis as the world's unhealthiest eaters in a 2014 report.
Iceland comes out on top!
Their breakfast is high in protein, fibre, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and low in fat and salt.
Lemons: In a 2014 study looking at the most nutrient-dense fruit, lemons came out on top with 17 nutrients. So you can feel good about a squeeze of lemon or lemon zest on your food. Blueberries: Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which are the special pigments that give them their rich color.