A study finally answers all our questions by revealing the identity of the top foods.
What is the healthiest food in the world?
Based on this result studyWatercress, also called Watercress officinalis, gets the title of the healthiest food.
This green vegetable, which often costs less than $4 at the grocery store, scored top marks in a test of 17 essential nutrients.
Interestingly enough, the most healthy food to eat does not hurt the wallet too much!
© Unsplash
What other foods are healthier?
Spinach, broccoli, parsley, pumpkin, and romaine lettuce are among the other top foods.
At the same time, the researchers in this study analyzed 47 fruits and vegetables according to their protein, fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, thiamin and riboflavin content.
They also looked at niacin, folate, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K.
All but six of the foods passed the “potency” criteria positively, meaning they provide 10% or more of the daily value per 100 calories. The six excluded foods are raspberries, tangerines, cherries, garlic, onions and blueberries.
© Nadine Primeau
“Higher-quality foods provide more nutrients per calorie,” explained study author Jennifer Di Noia, associate professor of sociology at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.
The watercress won the award with a perfect score of 100/100.
The health, in some figures, of the best ranked food
- watercress (100)
- Chinese Cabbage (91.99)
- blue (89.27)
- Beet greens (87.08)
- Spinach (86.43)
- Chicory (73.36)
- Leaf lettuce (70.73)
- Parsley (65.59)
- Romaine lettuce (63.48)
- Green Cabbage (62.49)
What about fruit?
The highest fruits are red pepper (41.26), pumpkin (33.82), tomato (20.37), lemon (18.72) and strawberry (17.59).
The fruit with the lowest nutrient intake is grapefruit, with a score of 10.47, while the lowest vegetable is sweet potato, with a score of 10.51.
“Nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables are strongly associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease. These include cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as certain cancers,” explains Dr. Di Noia.
“The scores can help consumers focus on their daily energy needs and how to get the best nutrients from their food. The rankings clarify the nutritional quality of different foods and can help select more nutritious products from nutrient-dense food groups,” he added.
hisstudy was published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention journal, Preventing Chronic Disease.
Now is the time to give these foods pride of place on your plate!
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