Cholesterol x country

 The analysis found that South Korea has the lowest average LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels among the 17 countries studied. The study (published in 2023 in the European Heart Journal) looked at 460 million lipid tests across five continents.

Why South Korea ranks lowest

• Diet rich in fermented foods (like kimchi) and legumes
• Generally low intake of saturated fats
• Cultural eating patterns linked to healthier cholesterol levels

Other lower-than-average countries

• Turkey
• United States (surprising given fast-food reputation)

Highest cholesterol levels

• Austria
• Germany
• Followed by Japan, Australia, and Switzerland

Why some countries are higher

• More animal fats and dairy consumption
• Genetics (e.g., familial hypercholesterolemia is relatively common in Austria)

Bottom line: diet + lifestyle + genetics all influence national cholesterol levels, but South Korea’s traditional eating patterns appear especially protective.