The two healthiest cities are in Spain
Cities in Spain, Portugal, Australia and Japan topped the Healthiest Places to Live 2022 ranking, making it easy for residents to lead a healthy lifestyle and take care of their well-being.
They highlighted Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California. And no, these centenarians didn't just luck out in the gene pool. They all have healthy practices and habits that are ingrained into their cultures.
The Japanese also have the lowest rates of obesity among men and women as well as long life expectancy. The island of Okinawa, in southernmost Japan, has the highest number of centenarians in the world as well as the lowest risk of age-related diseases (for example diabetes, cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer's).
Australians have access to high-quality, timely and affordable healthcare at every stage of life. Medicare is Australia's universal health care system, providing free public hospital care and patient subsidies for medical services, while the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme keeps medicines affordable.
Okinawa, Japan
According to Blue Zones, the people living in Okinawa are fortunate enough to have extremely low rates of cancer, heart disease, and dementia compared to Americans. Their longevity can also be attributed to strong social ties, as well as a deep sense of purpose.
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.
Okinawans typically have less cancer, heart disease, and dementia than Americans – and women there live longer than any women on the planet. The Blue Zone suggests that Japan's greatest secret is a strong dedication to friends and family.
Spain boasts a life expectancy of 83.5 years, which is expected to rise to 85.8 by 2040 and be the highest in the world. Spaniards eat a Mediterranean diet filled with healthy fats and legumes, fruits and vegetables, and less red meat and processed food.
The U.S. is the unhealthiest country globally because of its high obesity rate and the heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses that go along with it. America has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world—and it's not just adults who are getting heavier and heavier: childhood obesity is also a problem.
As it turns out, it's a very long life. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, extended work years and aggressive government intervention have helped the Nagano region produce the longest life expectancy in Japan, which in turn is the longest in the world.
Traditional Japanese diets are rich in seafood and fresh vegetables, which may be one reason why Japan has the highest average life expectancy in the world ( 3 ). Fish, in particular, is a staple in the Japanese diet, which is often rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids ( 4 ).
Nutrition Facts
High in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the Asian diet is also low in saturated and total fat. It is this combination that many health professionals believe protects against many chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. The Asian diet is relatively low in meat and dairy foods.
The Scandi diet is big on reducing starchy carbs and replacing those calories with heaping servings of healthy proteins, such as locally-sourced, cold-water fish, and organic vegetables. Just as importantly, Scandinavians believe it's not just what you eat that counts, it's how you prepare it that matters too.
The small nation of Iceland ranks as the healthiest country in the world. Iceland performs better than most nations in life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality, and incidence of diseases like tuberculosis.
Most Australians can expect to enjoy long and relatively healthy lives, however, some population groups have different experiences of health than others.
Males born in San Marino or Monaco had the highest life expectancy in the world as of 2022. San Marino also had the highest life expectancy for females with on average 89 years. In Japan the life expectancy was 88 years for females and 82 years for males.
Tonga. Tonga is currently leading the world in obesity with a disquieting obesity rate of 90%. “Junk meat” is a term that has commonly been thrown around in reference to a Tonganese diet essential.
Canvas Holidays have commissioned award-winning dietitian Harriet Smith to find out which nation has the healthiest breakfast and what tweaks we can make to make to our own breakfasts to improve our health. Iceland comes out on top!
Racial gaps in life expectancy have long been recognized. The same CDC data show that nationally, Hispanic Americans have the longest life expectancy, followed by white and then Black Americans.
A Mediterranean diet remains one of the gold standards for living longer and more healthfully. This pattern is characterized by a high intake of fruits and vegetables; whole grains; pulses; healthful fats from nuts, olive oil, and avocado; and herbs and spices. It includes seafood a few times a week.
According to a 2011 study of over 1,500 centenarians (or people that live to be 100), babies born between September and November live the longest.