Secrets to Longevity: Why Japanese People Live Longer

3005

Last Updated on November 13, 2020

The number of years that a human being lives depends on numerous factors, including aspects that we have control over (lifestyle) and others that we simply can’t control (genetics). Medical breakthroughs, easy access to health care, and an increased standard of living are some of the things that have contributed greatly to the massive increase in the average life expectancy registered over the last century. According to a 2019 report carried out by the United Nations, the latest available regarding this topic, the Japanese life expectancy at birth is about 84.7 years. A number that is way above the average worldwide life expectancy of 71 years estimated by the World Health Organization. The Japanese must be doing something right. So how to have a long, healthy life? That’s what we will find out next.

4. Longevity diet

As far as our health is concerned, eating a healthy and balanced diet is one of the most important factors to maintain physical fitness and avoid a wide range of diseases that can be quite serious. Like obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes – four health conditions that are leading causes of death worldwide. Eating habits in Japan are quite different from the ones established in the vast majority of Western cultures. Japanese people have a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, soy products, grains, seaweed, and seafood. They also don’t eat red meat and dairy products as regularly as people who live in Europe or America, and their portions are also on the smaller side. Furthermore, Japanese people often use fermented seasonings such as soy sauce, vinegar, sake, and miso to cook most typical dishes. This characteristic of Japanese food ends up limiting the consumption of salt and sugar immensely (two popular ingredients in western cuisine), which benefits long-term health and is the key to nutrition for longevity. The food is also either steamed, simmered, or eaten raw. These are the three main cooking methods in japan, all of which preserve the ingredients’ nutritional aspect, allowing the body to absorb a greater amount of essential nutrients, especially when compared to frying in oil and other cooking methods that use high heat and end up breaking down nutrients during the process.
1
2
3
SHARE

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here