We look forward to the summer so that everything returns to where it should be and we can start traveling again to our beloved countries, where everything is in order with the climate, food and health of the nation.
Admit that in your list for 2020 there was a point about getting healthier and another goal was to travel more. You can easily kill two birds with one stone by visiting some of the most health-conscious countries in the world. The Bloomberg Global Health Index is a study that ranks 163 countries based on demographic and environmental factors that affect overall health. A list of countries from the least healthy to countries with crystal clear air will help you decide on your next trip.
Some of our favorite countries are considered among the healthiest in the world. And this means that you have an amazing opportunity to combine sophistication of traditional dishes of the country together with unique landscapes and, of course, an incomparable climate.
Please note that this rating was released before the coronavirus epidemic.
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Israel
This country is known for its ancient gastronomic culture. The special diet of the Israelis is fresh vegetables and freshly caught fish. Israel is called the country of four seas, while traveling around the country you can immediately visit the Red, Dead, Mediterranean and Galilee seas. According to a study by The Lancet medical journal, the country has the lowest number of diet-related deaths (high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, etc.) worldwide. Has this yet impressed you? The nutrition of Israelis improves with age: from 50 to 60 years they eat the most wholesome foods.
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Norway
It seems to everyone that the Scandinavian countries should be somewhere in the top of this rating. Average life expectancy in Norway is 83 years, and the homicide rate is 0.4 percent (compared with the world average of 3.7). There is a suspicion that the country’s stunning landscapes might improve life a little bit too.
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Singapore
Singapore is one of the healthiest countries in Asia. Here, people manage to keep a balance between the love for food and an active lifestyle. In 2019 the government provided residents of the country with free Fitbits to encourage their passion for sports. The main attraction of Singapore is a high quality of life and healthcare at an unattainable level.
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Australia
One look at the beaches and these Instagrammable breakfasts, and it’s easy to see why so many Australian citizens are healthy and happy. Locally sourced food isn’t a trend—it’s a way of life here, as is getting outdoors.
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Sweden
The Swedes rank second among the countries of Northern Europe in terms of life expectancy (82 years, which is close to 83 years in Norway). And all thanks to low carbohydrates and high proper fats food. Thinking of moving to a country famous for its coffee and peerless saunas? But first, get acquainted with the Scandinavian traditions, which have already become the way of life of the Swedes – fifty percent of the population take long walks daily, and almost thirty percent of people living in cities regularly cycle to and from work (taking care not only of their physical health, but also of the country’s environment).
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Switzerland
In addition to the glory of country’s best healthcare system in the world, the Swiss also have some of the highest life expectancy rates (as much as 84 years). Other key factors include clean water, low crime rates and the right balance between work and personal life. We suspect that alpine skiing may also be associated with this success.
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Japan
Almost all the long-lived record holders live in Japan. Thanks to the daily combination of physical exercises and a special diet, the inhabitants of this country manage to live 100 years. According to scientists third of the population of Japan is over 65 years old and the largest population of centenarians in the world lives in Okinawa Prefecture. The Okinawan practice of hara hachi bu (a Confucian teaching in which people eat until they are 80 percent full) greatly contributes to good health and a happy life.
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Iceland
Much has been written about the Northern Lights and Nordic cuisine, and it turns out, both helped bump Iceland toward the top of this list. The country’s citizens are active and outdoorsy, and a diet largely of fresh seafood and free-range meat helps keep life expectancy in the 80s for both men and women.
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Italy
People born in Italy can confidently expect a life of up to 80 years at least. In a country rich in pizza and pasta, most citizens are fans of an active lifestyle, no matter how reasonable it may sound. It seems to you that Italian cuisine is rather oily, but try using hard flour, extra virgin olive oil and seasoned cheese, and you will understand that the whole thing is as a product.
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Spain
Paella must have a secret ingredient as Spain is officially the healthiest country in the world. Citizens are focusing on fresh local products when it comes to kitchen. Olive oil, fresh vegetables, lean meat and red wine (Spaniards also eat less fast food than other European countries except Italy). When it comes to health, you cannot discount the value of a good siesta. And of course, remember the beautiful wines, the cleanest beaches and the climate of Spain.
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