A list of the ‘healthiest foods in the world’ has been compiled by researchers – and one popular food topped the list with a score of 97 out of 100
Steffan Rhys Deputy Content Hub Director, Natalie King and Tasha Hall Showbiz and Trends Reporter
21:52, 17 Oct 2025
The top healthiest foods have been ranked(Image: Yagi Studio via Getty Images)
Eating a diverse diet of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and meat is crucial for your health and can significantly reduce your risk of serious and chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes and cancer.
But how can we identify the “healthiest” foods to consume? Indeed, there is a way, thanks to a list compiled by researchers. In this study, over 1,000 foods were analysed, each receiving a nutritional score.
The higher the score, the more likely the food would meet but not exceed your daily nutritional needs when eaten in combination with others, according to the Mirror.
The highest-scoring food achieved 97 out of 100 – it’s not meat, fish, fruit or vegetable, but it’s readily available in every supermarket. Topping the list, this food is “rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids” and “promotes cardiovascular health and may help with diabetes”.
There’s growing consensus among scientists that a healthy diet and gut microbiome are key to overall health.
Almonds came in the top spot(Image: Oscar Wong via Getty Images)
Many are now referring to the microbiome as a “second brain”, asserting its importance not only for physical health but also for mental wellbeing and immune function.
Naturally, the key to a healthy diet is eating a variety of nutritious foods and avoiding unhealthy and ultra-processed fare as much as possible.
Despite the high nutritional scores of all the foods on this list, it wouldn’t be wise to rely solely on these 10 foods for the rest of your days.
1. Almonds
Score: 97/100.
The food with the highest nutritional value in the world isn’t a fruit or veg, it’s a nut. Almonds top the chart as the healthiest food you can munch on, scoring an impressive 97 out of 100 in nutritional value.
These popular snacks are chock-full of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, promote heart health and can even assist with diabetes.
Almonds are rich in anti-oxidants, protein and fibre, as well as vitamins and minerals including magnesium. They’re packed with nutrients that help protect the heart, including unsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, magnesium, vitamin E, copper and manganese.
2. Cherimoya
Score: 96/100.
Cherimoya can boast being the “world’s healthiest fruit” according to this ranking. On the outside, it’s a green, cone-shaped fruit with leathery skin, and on the inside, it has a creamy, sweet flesh which you can eat with a spoon and is sometimes served chilled, like a cold custard.
Healthline states the cherimoya is “loaded with antioxidants” and “rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals” and that “this unique fruit may support immunity, reduce inflammation, and promote eye and heart health”.
Nevertheless, it warns that “certain parts of cherimoya contain toxins that may damage your nervous system if consumed in high amounts”.
Antioxidants fight free radicals within the body that can cause inflammation associated with various chronic illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. Cherimoya also provides a superb source of vitamin B6, which may boost your mood.
Cherimoya provides a superb source of vitamin B6
It’s likewise packed with fibre and even boasts anti-cancer properties due to containing flavonoids “which have been shown to stop the growth of cancer cells in test-tube studies”, reports Healthline.
3. Ocean perch
Score: 89/100.
The ultimate fish when it comes to nutritional benefits. This deep-sea variety is also known as rockfish and has very low saturated fat content.
However, there’s more – this fish offers an outstanding source of:
- Vitamin B12, crucial for nerve health and red blood cell production
- Vitamin D, aiding calcium absorption and bone health
- Selenium, a powerful antioxidant
- Phosphorus, promoting healthy bones and energy metabolism
4. Flatfish
Score: 85/100.
Flatfish, including turbot, plaice, halibut, sole, and brill, are generally mercury-free and loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which may help protect against heart disease and boost brain health.
Flatfish also deliver an important source of vitamin D and the essential nutrient vitamin B1.
5. Chia seeds
Score: 85/100.
Chia seeds are an excellent option at breakfast time
These are small black seeds that can be scattered on yoghurt, mixed into smoothies or turned into chia pudding. Regardless of their tiny size, chia seeds deliver a mighty dose of beneficial nutrients, featuring fibre, protein, a-linolenic acid, phenolic acid and vitamins.
They also hold caffeic acid, an antioxidant that can combat inflammation throughout the body.
6. Pumpkin seeds
Score: 84/100. Pumpkin seeds, along with other squash seeds, have been recognised as some of the world’s healthiest foods.
Save your pumpkin seeds this Halloween to roast for a healthy snack(Image: Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images)
They are one of the top plant-based sources of iron and manganese.
7. Swiss chard
Score: 78/100.
Swiss chard, a leafy green vegetable from the beet family, is brimming with nutrients including rare betalains known for their antioxidant properties.
It’s also a rich source of vitamins A, C, K, and E, with a particularly high concentration of vitamin K, beneficial for blood clotting and maintaining strong bones. Swiss chard also contains a unique compound believed to stabilise blood sugar levels by slowing down carbohydrate digestion.
8. Pork fat
Score: 73/100.
Surprisingly, pork fat makes it onto this list, scoring 73 out of 100, ranking it higher than numerous fruits and vegetables.
It has more unsaturated fats than lamb or beef, meaning it provides more omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also a good source of B vitamins and minerals.
9. Beet greens
Score: 70/100.
Beet greens, the leafy part of the beetroot vegetable, are packed with nutrients.
10. Snapper
Score: 69/100.
Red snapper, a highly prized member of the snapper family, ranks third among the top 10 fish. Its throat is considered a delicacy.
However, despite their nutritional benefits, these fish can carry harmful toxins such as high levels of mercury and ciguatera toxin, which is often found in seafood from warmer waters and can cause food poisoning.
The nutritional content of red snapper includes:
- High levels of omega-3 fatty acids
- Selenium
- Magnesium
- Vitamins D and E
- Beneficial amounts of potassium
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