These are the 10 healthiest foods in the world (and most of them we never eat)

When it comes to healthy eating, we all tend to know the general rules. Preferably five fruits and vegetables a day, plus healthy carbs from whole grains, proteins and high-quality unsaturated fats.

But which foods really help us get those all important nutrients? Researchers have now compiled a list of the 10 most healthiest foods as informed by a new study – and you’ll be interested to learn that the top 10 doesn’t include any fruit.

What was examined in the study?

Researchers at William Paterson University in New Jersey, USA, examined the nutrient density of 41 foods. Specifically, they checked the concentration of 17 essential nutrients in the foods examined and put this proportion of nutrients such as vitamin A, B12 or fibre in relation to the number of calories. So essentially, the higher this value, the healthier the food. Surprisingly, only one food managed to provide 100 percent of the nutrients needed for daily consumption at 100 calories. But without further ado, let’s look at what other foods made it into the top 10 healthiest.

These are the top 10 healthiest foods

Not only are there no fruits in the top 10, but moreover it’s a line up of all green vegetables. What each food variety does have in common, however, is that they are all low in calories while still being very rich in nutrients.

In first place is watercress, which is full of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium, as well as many antioxidants. Further benefits: Through essential oils, it has a soothing effect on respiratory diseases and, according to the study, detoxifies the body and purifies the blood.

Chinese leaf lettuce comes in second place, with those who eat it covering off a quarter of their daily vitamin C requirement with just 100 grams. Chinese leaf lettuce also contains plenty of vegetable protein and high-quality amino acids.