Based on their nutrition and diet secrets, it seems like the Japanese people have found the secret to the fountain of youth and longevity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, so it looks like we have a thing or two to learn from their eating and life hacks to help us reach our healthiest potential.
With the saturated fats, added sugars, and dependence on processed foods, it should come as no surprise that Japanese men and women experience longer and healthier lives than their Western counterparts. According to a 2016 study that measured the quality of diet and mortality among Japanese adults, they have a life expectancy a whopping six years longer than Americans.
And most of that, it seems, centers around the dietary choices that are prevalent throughout the country.
“Closer adherence to Japanese dietary guidelines was associated with a lower risk of total mortality and mortality from cardiovascular disease, particularly from cerebrovascular disease, in Japanese adults,” researchers wrote. “Our findings suggest that balanced consumption of energy, grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, eggs, soy products, dairy products, confectionaries, and alcoholic beverages can contribute to longevity by decreasing the risk of death, predominantly from cardiovascular disease, in the Japanese population.”
The nation has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world, thanks to its focus on a limited number of carbs, inclusion of tons of healthy vegetables, and abundance of fresh fish and meats. The Japanese people also have the lowest obesity rate in the world—undoubtedly, a symptom of their dietary choices and a healthy mix of nutritious foods.
But more than that, according to Bloomberg, Japan also boasts one of the best healthcare systems in the world. The country’s Medicare-like system is consistently noted as one of the top ones among other like countries, with a hyper-focus on healing the elderly—so it should be no surprise that the country has more than two million citizens over the age of 90.
Beyond the diet and the system, the daily healthy habits of the nation’s people are what contribute to their longevity, The Telegraph notes. From an early age, children are encouraged to walk and bike to school—a simple move that sets athletic habits that continue into adulthood.
According to Blue Zones, the Okinawa region of Japan is the nation’s most powerful and long-living population. “Perhaps their greatest secret is a strong dedication to friends and family. They maintain a powerful social network called a ‘moai,’ a lifelong circle of friends that supports people well into old age. Okinawans also have a strong sense of purpose in life, a driving force that the Japanese call ‘ikigai.'”
With this mix of healthy living, healthy nutrition, and healthy relationships, the long lives and reduced mortality come naturally. And that’s something we could all learn from and apply in our own lives.
