Japan is known as ‘The Land of the Rising Sun’, well, whoever coined that phrase, got some splaing do do. Anyways, Japan is one of those countries where the elderly easily outweigh the population. The proportion of the elderly living alive and well in Japan compared to it’s younger people is relatively high. Around 24% of the population in Japan are currently 65 or older. It’s been estimated that by the year 2020, the ratio of its elderly citizens to children will be around 3 to 1. The Japanese have the longest living people of any country on the planet. So with that being said, there must be a reason why Nihon-jins apparently have this fountain of youth in their backyards. Well, it’s most likely found at the dining room table instead.
The Staple Of Healthy Food
Despite the competitive almost fishbowl existence and lifestyle that the Japanese have, they still are amongst the most healthiest people in the world. It’s well-known that a common traditional Japanese meal consists of the healthiest ingredients when compared to other diets. And these meals are the kind of foods that the Japanese eat everyday in order to stay slim, healthy, and youthful looking while at the same time epitomizing a successful, rush-rush, on the go type of lifestyle.
The Japanese has always eaten nutritious, well balanced satisfying healthy foods, all mostly without any guilt, getting fat, or looking old and tired. Every day, for all three meals, the diet includes at least several servings of the required staple vegetables, which commonly include: dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, seaweed, bean sprouts, onions; along with at least two to three servings of anti-oxidant rich fruits; and several servings of soy based foods. The Japanese will also sip several cups of green tea every day, in and around the meals. There are also adequate servings of a variety of fresh fish and seafood, prepared in various ways, the most notable being sashimi. In fact, each and every Japanese person will eat on average, more than 150 pounds of fish every year. Now would look old and tired with these kinds of meals?
Thus Less Disease
A recent research study pointed out that almost all of the diseases and the body’s ability to fight them, can be directly linked to what you eat, thus ‘You are what you eat.’ Statistics also show that Japanese longevity, when compared to other nationalities is the longest.
– Only ten in 100,000 Japanese women ever acquire breast cancer. That’s about 20 times less than the norm of British and American women.
– 92% less fewer Japanese males have coronary heart disease than the average British or American male populace. Heart disease and breast cancer is always attributed to eating a lot of fatty foods.
– Statistics also show that the Japanese have less ‘Western’ type of diseases such as: obesity, diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis, heart disease etc.
– The Japanese firmly believe that there is a relationship between the diet and its impact on disease, is based on the food they eat.
Foods That Make You Stay Young
The Japanese diet is the secret of the locals in order to look and stay young and remain vigorous. Many other nationalities have noted that many Japanese women who are in their forties still look like they’re in their twenties or thirties. Well, if that’s the case, you may not then need those anti-aging creams and lotions, just discover the Japanese fountain of youth, by eating right.
The Meals Consists Of…
The sticky, traditional short-grained rice is the main staple and carbohydrate food in Japan. But the Japanese also eat a lot of fish that are rich in fatty omega fats and acids which provides the required daily calories. Another main source of carbohydrates are noodles, a quick, as well as easy and healthy snack.
There are also consumption of noted ‘brain foods’ such as farm fresh eggs and seaweed. Egg consumption in Japan, such as in omelets, egg custards, and nutritional soups, is higher than what most Americans eat. Seaweed is usually used in soups, and Japans most famous food export, sushi. Seaweed provides a healthy amount of iodine, which is important for normal functioning of the thyroid gland, a key function for optimal brain function.
Another well known Japanese staple and favorite food, in which they are fond of eating are ‘magic potatoes’, which has natural anti-aging, life-enhancing components.
Eating tofu daily is also one of the most distinguishing features in the Japanese diet. Tofu, a soy bean product, is an excellent source of protein with built in anti-cancer and health-boosting benefits.
The Japanese also have a higher than average consumption of fresh milk. They consume, in one form or another, an average of over 180 pounds per year.
Fresh fruits are the most popular dessert in Japan. Generally, the Japanese diet does not involve traditional sweet desserts, as well as processed or junk foods.
This Is Madonna’s Secret
Aside from her highly active lifestyle, the singer Madonna, who still looks relatively young and hip in her 50’s, has often said it’s because of her Japanese food diet. In fact, anywhere she goes, she has a Japanese chef to make sure he cooks healthy Japanese cuisines for her.