When it comes to the life expectancies of people all over the world, Japan comes third in the list of countries. This is quite a feat for the sole nation in the world to have witnessed the devastating power of nuclear weapons. The average life expectancy of the Japanese people is 82 years, according to the latest United Nations Population Division estimates. One out of 1450 people in Japan is over 100 years old, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. The Japanese are known to be among the fittest and healthiest people in the world. Currently, Kane Tanaka of Japan is the oldest person in the world, aged 118. All this leads us to wonder about the fitness secrets of the Japanese people, who are able to live such long lives. Let us discuss some of the lifestyle choices that set them apart from the others.
High consumption of vegetables
Seafood and meat are a significant part of Japanese cuisine, and so are Japanese veggies. Japan makes extensive use of root vegetables, leafy greens, and other ingredients which are used in soups, desserts and main courses. Their penchant for vegetables is one of the biggest factors behind their good health.
Physical exercise
The significance of exercise in a nation that is the birthplace of martial arts like Karate, Kendo, Judo and Aikido is self-explanatory. Imperial Japanese used to house well-trained Samurai and the present generation carries the blood of their ancestors, engaging in strong body conditioning and exercise. There are over 1 million people in Japan who have acquired some level of Kendo training as per statistics. So, we can safely assume that physical exercise plays a huge role in their healthy lifestyle.
Method of food preparation
The Japanese have a systematic way of preparing food that is classified into 5 methods. Nama, which translates to ‘raw’, describes the way that items are chopped. This is used to prepare delicacies like sashimi that are meant to be eaten raw. Niru is the precise art of cooking items to the point at which they are perfectly soft and flavorful. Yaku alludes to the techniques employed to grill food. This entails preparing the ingredients in a small pan with oil or over an open flame, as well as sautéing or shallow frying them. Musu involves the process of cooking through steam, usually in a pot with a covered lidl bamboo baskets are also used. Ageru is the practice of deep-frying food at high temperatures while using oil and fat.
Consumption of green tea
The majority of Japanese people include green tea substantially in their daily lives. It is frequently ingested multiple times daily, serving as the preferred beverage first thing in the morning, as well as before and after meals.
High consumption of fish
Japanese include salmon, mackerel or sardine fish in their diet, which are full of protein and nutrients.
