Do you think you live in one of the healthiest countries in the world? How is yours doing? Italy has trumped 100 nations to emerge as the healthiest and longest-living populace on the planet, followed by Singapore, Iceland, Hong Kong, Finland Taiwan.
Opting for fresh or fermented foods, the Japanese eat few refined foods and sugars. Such a diet marks Japan as one of the healthiest cultures in the world. Some authentic and healthy dishes you should try while visiting Japan include miso soup, soba noodle bowls, and their legendary sushi.
According to the index, Singapore was rated as having the top service and state of health globally in 2023. Asia is well represented generally, with the five top places rounded off by Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China. Meanwhile, the United States trails just behind the UK in rank 38.
Life expectancy: 84.7
The most obvious reason why the Japanese population has such a long life expectancy is down to the country's traditional diet, which typically consists of rice, fish, vegetables, seaweed, Japanese pickles, green tea, and miso (a kind of fermented soybean product).
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.
Top 10 Healthiest Countries in the World (2021 Global Health Security Index): United States — 75.9. Australia — 71.1. Finland — 70.9.
Widely considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world, the Okinawan diet has numerous health benefits. 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.
1. Spain. There must be something in the paella, because Spain is officially the healthiest country in the world. Citizens put an emphasis on freshness and locality when it comes to cuisine, with diets focused on olive oil, fresh vegetables, lean meats, and red wine.
Learn from what works
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.
LEMONS. Often touted as the world's healthiest food, lemons have strong anti-inflammatory qualities and can help to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. They also have just as much Vitamin C as oranges. EASY EATING TIP: Add a slice of lemon to your tea or water bottle to get healthy and hydrated at the same time.
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.
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.
Israel takes crown in rankings while the UK trails behind. A new study into the rates of deaths linked to diet across the world has found that people in Israel are top when it comes to healthy eating.
When it comes to countries with the best food, Italy is on many people's lists. It's one of the best cuisines in the world, having produced many beloved dishes like pizza, lasagna, risotto, and gelato. Like Chinese food, we've been eating pizza and pasta almost all our lives. But we've never been to Italy.
Italian pizza
Pizza is the topmost-liked food in the world. Today you can find pizza in almost every corner of the world. This traditional Italian dish is made of flattened round dough topped with cheese, and tomatoes, and additionally garnished with basil, olives, and oregano. What is this?
Therefore they end up getting complete nutrition in the form of completely unadulterated food. The traditional Japanese diet consists of minimally processed and seasoned foods, with a focus on seafood, soy food, fruits and vegetables, rice or noodles, tempura, and natural tea as a beverage.
"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."
56% of Australians aged 15 years and over considered themselves to be in excellent or very good health. This has remained constant over the last 10 years. 15% of Australians aged 15 years and over reported being in fair or poor health.
Sydney, NSW
It turns out the most populous city in Australia is also the healthiest. So much so, that Sydney ranked highest in 7 out of 9 wellness factors. Sydney narrowly edged out Melbourne for the highest percentage (81%) of residents who engage in exercise at least once a week.