In the world longevity rankings published in World Health Statistics 2018 announced by the World Health Organization (WHO), Japan retained first place with an average age of 84.2 years old. According to reports on why this is, Japanese culture expert Marco Carestia pointed out that there were 10 potential reasons for the longevity of Japanese people.
10 diet tips for longevity
1. Avoid eating too much
Japanese people believe that eating too much is not good for their health.
2. Consume many different foods every day
In 1985, the Japanese government issued Dietary Guidelines for Health Promotion, recommending that up to 30 different foods (including cooking oil and condiments) per day should be consumed.
3. Eat slowly
Analyzing the eating habits of Japanese centenarians, they usually eat very slowly. They have known from a young age that chewing slowly can increase longevity. Chewing fully will make you feel full and end up eating less, and the smaller stomach contents reduce the burden of digestion.
4. Have the original taste of food and keep to a low-fat and low-calorie diet
The Japanese tend to keep the original taste of foods, preferring a light diet, and cooking with less oil. Many dishes are steamed and drizzled with a little oil when serving. This not only can reduce the damage of hot oil on nutrients, but also reduces oil intake, which is beneficial to health.
Japanese people eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and cereals and these support their longevity. (Image: Screenshot via YouTube)
5. Eat enough vegetables, fruits, and cereals
Japanese people eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and cereals. These foods are high in fiber. Fibrous carbohydrates typically take longer to digest, and will not be converted into fat quickly.
6. Love eating fish and less red meat
The Japanese love to eat a lot of fish. They like to eat deep-sea fish such as salmon, eel, and tuna, which are rich in long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. A lower intake of red meat greatly reduces the incidence rate of strokes in Japan.
7. Eat seasonal foods
Japanese people believe that the purest and most unique natural flavors can be tasted only by choosing seasonal foods.
The Japanese love to eat a lot of fish and this impacts their longevity. (Image: Screenshot via YouTube)
8. Enjoy the meal
Japanese people are very casual about their diet and eat whatever they want, but the obesity rate is the lowest in the world. Some people pay too much attention to diet and count calories for every bite, which can cause mental stress and even health problems.
9. Reduce salt intake
As early as 1975, the Japanese government began to pay attention to the issue of “salt reduction” in diets and launched a series of salt reduction campaigns.
10. Take care of your waist size
Excessive waist circumference is unhealthy. Japanese law stipulates that companies must conduct annual waist circumference inspections for employees aged 40 to 75. The standard is that the male waist circumference should not exceed 85 cm, and the female should not exceed 90 cm. If the waist circumference exceeds the standards, further action must be taken. If the company fails to manage the waist measurements and weight of its employees, it will be fined by the government.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Helen
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