Why is Japan the healthiest country?

As their diet is traditionally high in soy and fish this may also play a significant role in reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The Japanese also have the lowest rates of obesity among men and women as well as long life expectancy.

bbcgoodfood.com - Why is the Japanese diet so healthy? | BBC Good Food

What is the life expectancy of a homeless person?

People who are homeless have roughly the same life expectancy as a resident of the United States in 1910. Today, overall life expectancy in the...

Last updated May 9, 2021

How much is an acre of woodland UK?

between £5,000 and £10,000 per acre The price of woodland in the UK is between £5,000 and £10,000 per acre. Although prices can vary from this...

Last updated May 2, 2020

Promotion

The traditional Japanese diet is largely fresh and unprocessed, with very few refined ingredients and sugar. In fact, it isn’t that dissimilar to a traditional Chinese diet, with staples including rice, cooked and pickled vegetables, fish and meat. However, because Japan is actually a group of islands (all 6,852 of them), its residents consume a lot more fish compared to other Asian countries. They also eat raw fish in sushi and sashimi, plus quite a few pickled, fermented and smoked foods. The Japanese have long been revered and studied for their long life expectancy, which is higher than almost anywhere else in the world . So why is the traditional Japanese diet so healthy and what do they eat? We asked registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook.

What are the components of a traditional Japanese diet?

Soya beans, usually in the form of tofu or fresh edamame, are a key part of the Japanese diet, along with other beans such as aduki. Fermented soy bean products such as miso and natto are popular staples. Natto is traditionally consumed at breakfast and has a beneficial effect on the gut and supports blood clotting. The Japanese also consume a wide variety of land and sea vegetables including seaweed, which is packed full of health-boosting minerals, and may help to reduce blood pressure. Fruit is often consumed with breakfast or as a dessert, especially Fuji apples, tangerines and persimmons. Alongside their diet, the Japanese are big fans of green tea – in particular matcha tea, which is fast gaining popularity elsewhere, including the UK. Matcha, a stone-ground powdered green tea, is most valued for its high antioxidant compounds known as catechins, which have been linked to fighting cancer, viruses and heart disease.

What are the benefits of the traditional Japanese diet?

A study by the British Medical Journal found that those who stuck closer to the Japanese dietary guidelines – a diet high in grains and vegetables, with moderate amounts of animal products and soy but minimal dairy and fruit – had a reduced risk of dying early from heart disease or stroke. As their diet is traditionally high in soy and fish this may also play a significant role in reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The Japanese also have the lowest rates of obesity among men and women as well as long life expectancy. The island of Okinawa, in southernmost Japan, has the highest number of centenarians in the world as well as the lowest risk of age-related diseases (for example diabetes, cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s). This has partly been attributed to their traditional Japanese diet, which is low in calories and saturated fat yet high in nutrients, especially phytonutrients including flavonoids, found in different coloured vegetables. This also includes phytoestrogens, or plant-based oestrogens, that may help protect against hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer. The diet of the Okinawan people has been little influenced by the dietary changes of the Western culture, which have been seen in more urban Japan.

Which healthy eating behaviours are part of traditional Japanese culture?

Does the Queen ever wear an outfit twice?

Queen Elizabeth never wears the same outfit twice at important events. Therefore, the sovereign prefers to either change her outfits and if she...

Last updated Aug 7, 2022

Why do we forget dreams?

“Since dreams are thought to primarily occur during REM sleep, the sleep stage when the MCH cells turn on, activation of these cells may prevent...

Last updated Apr 28, 2019

Promotion

Traditionally, the Japanese tend to have a healthy attitude to food and eating. They have a saying, “hara hachi bu”, which means to eat until you are 80% full, and it's not uncommon to teach children this philosophy from a young age. The way the Japanese serve their food is also key. Rather than having one large plate, they often eat from a small bowl while enjoying several different dishes, usually rice, miso, some fish or meat and then two or three vegetables dishes, often served communally and eaten in rotation. The Japanese are also strong believers in ‘flexible restraint’ when it comes to treats and snacks, enjoying them from time to time but in smaller portions.

Japanese recipe inspiration...

Miso chicken and rice soup

Japanese salmon and avocado rice

Teriyaki noodle broth

Soba noodle and edamame salad with grilled tofu

Japanese salad with ginger soy dressing

Miso marinated salmon

Miso brown rice and chicken salad

Japanese-style brown rice

Enjoyed this? Now read...

Why are Mediterranean diets so healthy?

The health benefits of miso

More health and nutrition tips

This article was reviewed on 22 March 2022 by Kerry Torrens.

Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Find out more at urbanwellness.co.uk. Kerry Torrens BSc. (Hons) PgCert MBANT is a Registered Nutritionist with a post graduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the last 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food. Follow Kerry on Instagram at @kerry_torrens_nutrition_. All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

bbcgoodfood.com - Why is the Japanese diet so healthy? | BBC Good Food

How can I watch Netflix offline for free?

Find and download a TV show or movie Open the Netflix app and tap Downloads . ... Select See What You Can Download, Find Something to Download,...

Last updated Mar 31, 2020

What is a silent killer personality?

Behaviours include people pleasing, unable to say no, rescuing and colluding with others, putting everyone else before the self, lack of...

Last updated Sep 26, 2018

Promotion

Can you use a cell phone and be off-grid?

Cellphone If you want to use a cellphone for off-grid communication, you'll need to test out the network coverage on your property first. If you...

Last updated Apr 26, 2019

Promotion

What do Marines call pistols?

A service pistol, also known as a personal weapon or an ordnance weapon, is any handgun issued to regular military personnel or law enforcement...

Last updated Aug 20, 2018