The Japanese are famous for their internal tranquillity. Taking joy in simple activities, they celebrate life and coexist in harmony with nature. Their philosophy is based mostly on order – they strive to keep both the material world around them and their spiritual world in order. Furthermore, it is the healthy and well-balanced diet of the Japanese that contributes to the longevity of this nation. Well-selected and calorie-low meals let them enjoy good health and immunity to diseases for a long time. Medications strengthening the immune system are also popular in Japan. Another factor conducive to longevity is faith – the Japanese devote a lot of time to prayer and meditation at home and in temples.
Japanese cuisine considerably differs from Western food. This is not only because they have different products but mostly because of the diversity of their tradition. Why is Japanese cuisine considered as the healthiest in the world? Scientific research conducted in Japan has proven on numerous occasions that the eating habits of the Japanese have a positive impact on their health and longevity. It is the only nation in the world with such a high percentage of people over the age of 85.
Japanese diet, recognised as the healthiest in the world, has a number of varieties. Nonetheless, it always involves low-calorie meals with low iron content. The diet from the region of Okinawa is based on of 4 fundamental categories (very light products, light products, semi-heavy products and heavy products) and on variations related to number seven, e.g. eating leguminous plants seven times a day. The Okinawa diet encourages such products as raw fruit and vegetables, avocado, nuts, poultry, fish, tofu or wholegrain products, and recommends avoiding bread, oils, sweets, dairy, fried products and white-flour noodles. Steaming is tremendously popular in Japan. Commonly eaten products include seafood, seaweed, rice, vegetables and seasonal fruit. The Japanese also reach for hyaluronic diet, which stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid by the body, thus delaying the ageing of skin.
The Japanese are among the nations the least burdened by stress. Due to their tranquillity, proper diet and philosophy, they live longer than the average citizens of other countries. Yet, the secret to the Japanese longevity is more than positive predisposition – it is also a wisely balanced diet.