Living a long, healthy life with low risk of disease is what we all wish for. There's a new health fad released every week, clogging our newsfeeds and confusing our brains. A lot of the time, health fads turn out to be complete nonsense and leave us wondering where to turn. What's not a fad, however, are the international diets and societal norms that have been consumed and practiced for hundreds, if not thousands of years. And, as it's already been proven, these cultural habits are the key to a long, healthy life.
You might have read articles about the benefits of a high-fat diet as shown by residents of the Mediterranean, or even the benefits of green tea and high fish intake as shown by residents of Japan. It is worth noting that both areas of the world taut some of the highest life expectancy rates, with Japan having the highest in the world with women at 87 years and men at 80 years. But did you know about some other countries that are hailed as some of the healthiest in the world? Iceland and Sweden are just two. And it’s not just diet that is healthier about these countries; it’s lifestyle as well. How mindful you are when eating and stopping when you are 80 percent full are just a few cultural practices that make all the difference when it comes to having a healthy body weight and living a long life. Take a look below as we hone in on what makes each country so healthy.
You might have read articles about the benefits of a high-fat diet as shown by residents of the Mediterranean, or even the benefits of green tea and high fish intake as shown by residents of Japan. It is worth noting that both areas of the world taut some of the highest life expectancy rates, with Japan having the highest in the world with women at 87 years and men at 80 years. But did you know about some other countries that are hailed as some of the healthiest in the world? Iceland and Sweden are just two. And it’s not just diet that is healthier about these countries; it’s lifestyle as well. How mindful you are when eating and stopping when you are 80 percent full are just a few cultural practices that make all the difference when it comes to having a healthy body weight and living a long life. Take a look below as we hone in on what makes each country so healthy.
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| Dubrovnik, Croatia |
Mediterranean area: Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, Greece, Croatia.
Dr. Ancel Keys coined the term Mediterranean diet in the 50’s, but the residents of the Mediterranean have known the benefits for thousands of years because for them it is a way of life. Their diet consists of tons of olive oil, small portions of nuts (walnuts and pine nuts are common,) wheat bread and pasta, moderate amounts of fish and poultry, cheese, yogurt, honey, a low intake of red meat and a moderate intake of red wine, and of course, lots and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Mediterranean diet is praised for its ability to promote brain health and keep chronic diseases at bay. The Greek island of Ikaria and the Ogliastra region of Sardinia are two especially healthy places in the Mediterranean, as noted by author Dan Buettner in his book Blue Zones, which discusses the secrets of people in certain areas of the world who live the longest. Ikaria’s population eats a lot of legumes such as chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lentils, goat’s milk, wild greens, feta cheese, lemons, and herbs, while in the Ogliastra region of Sardinia, the population enjoys locally produced wine, goat’s milk and sheep’s cheese (15 pounds a year!) flatbread, sourdough bread, barley, fennel, fava beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, almonds, milk thistle tea.
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| Queensland, New Zealand |
New Zealand:
New Zealand is known for its amazing landscapes, (if you’ve seen Lord of the Rings, you know what I’m talking about,) which makes it easy to enjoy an active lifestyle outdoors. Kiwi’s love to hike, swim (the beach is never more than 90 minutes away anywhere in the country,) camp, and fish. Queensland is considered the adventure capital of the world, with tourism being the countries second largest industry, drawing climbers, surfers, hikers, cyclists, skydivers, and bungee jumpers alike. New Zealand is also considered the most socially progressive country in the world and is extremely safe; NZ even tied with Denmark for first place as the least politically corrupt country on the planet. Kiwi’s also value education, and their literacy rate is 99 percent. (Reading is linked with lower stress levels which add years to your life.) There’s also less stress there due to low health care costs (often free,) and the food is mostly local and organic fruits, vegetables, and fresh seafood. As a result, life expectancy in NZ is 83 for women, 80 for men.
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| Matsumoto Castle, Japan |
Japan:
Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world, with women at 87 years and men not that far behind at 80 years. On the Japanese island of Okinawa specifically, about 6.5 in 10,000 people live to 100 which is a pretty large number (the U.S. is 1.73 in 10,000.) The Japanese incorporate movement into their everyday tasks, which attributes to low stress levels and cardiovascular health. The Japanese people also place high value on social networks, and it's been proven that an active social life can actually add years to your life. Their diet on Okinawa consists of bitter melons, tofu, garlic, brown rice, green tea, shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, turmeric, and sweet potatoes. In the entire country, as many as four or five varieties of vegetables are served at every meal, and the Japanese eat 10% of the world’s fish. They also include soy at every meal, such as miso soup and chunks of tofu, and serve their food on beautiful small plates that are pleasing to the eye and remind you to take it slow in order to savor your food and to stop when 80 percent full. And, of course, they consume green tea at the end of every meal, and we all know how healthy it is. (Especially matcha.)
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| Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, Grindavik, Iceland |
Iceland:
Clean air might have something to do with the healthy residents of Iceland. Iceland is considered one of the least polluted countries in the world and has a minuscule population. It is chilly most of the time in Iceland as well, and Icelanders love to hit the gym to combat the cold; ice climbing, rock climbing, and kayaking are also popular. Their diet isn’t too shabby either, with loads of lamb, seafood (mostly cod, herring, and haddock,) dairy from grass fed free range cows, and olive oil; and there is minimal pesticide use due to most food being grown in greenhouses. Another trick they swear by is natural hot springs and steam rooms to release stress, improve cardiovascular function, and burn calories. Due to all of this, they have quite a high life expectancy in Iceland: 83 for women, 79 for men.
Sweden:
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| Abisko Mountain Station, Sweden |
Sweden:
The Swedish have consistently been on healthiest people lists for years, and their life expectancies are 83 for women, 78 for men. Saunas are an important part of Swedish culture just like in Iceland. In addition, exercise is incorporated into everyday life in Sweden, as 30 percent of Swedes that live in cities cycle to and from work, 50% of Swedes regularly take long walks for leisure, and joining teams and sports clubs is extremely common. Unhealthy food and oversized portions is not really a thing in Sweden, as going to a fast food restaurant and going to a regular restaurant cost the same, making it easier to choose the healthy option. Swedish food is similar to Iceland in that it includes a lot of fatty fish, root vegetables, and rye bread; they also tend to poach, ferment, smoke, and dry their foods. Another great plus in Sweden is the amount of Holiday time they receive; stretching up to five weeks a year. Vacation culture in Sweden is associated with low levels of depression and heart disease.
Finland:
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| Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland |
Finland:
One of the best success stories in the world, Finland went from a nation plagued by heart disease and couch potatoes to one of the fittest in the world. How did they do it in the relatively short span of thirty years? Implemented by the government, the health overhaul began in smaller cities where citizens were asked what type of physical activity they enjoyed; the government then provided these areas with places for recreational sports, national parks, put together teams, etc. They also made it a competition to bring down cholesterol and lower smoking rates, by hosting prize giveaways in the towns. Taking away all smoking billboards helped as well. Putting an emphasis on growing their own food, the government also took it upon themselves to get the citizens to eat better. Today, Finland is considered one of the healthiest countries in the world with a life expectancy of 83 for women, 78 for men, with its citizens enjoying plenty of physical activity, fresh food, and de-stressing activities, just like their Nordic neighbors.
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ClermontRadiology.com
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