There’s a lot of talk about Mediterranean diet. Even from the Atlantic. In general, it is clear that it is necessary to eat healthy food, giving preference to local products, especially fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins and fats. It’s secondary to give it all a name, but sometimes it can help people get informed, get some nutrition education, and make smart food choices. Therefore, it’s good that people are now starting to talk about the Japanese diet.
If we think of Japan, very long-lived people may come to mind. And this is not surprising, because almost every year they usually lead Rating of countries with the highest life expectancy. In fact, there are places in Japan that are classified as blue zones because they are home to a large number of centenarians. This is, for example, the case Okinawa.
All this, according to research conducted scientists from the University of Liverpool, has a lot to do with their diet. In fact, two of these researchers reported in a paper for Talkthat the Japanese diet can prevent age-related cognitive decline. They found this benefit only in women; But overall it is clear that the way they are fed in this part of the world brings many benefits. This is confirmed by people living more than a hundred years.
What is the Japanese diet?
When talking about the Japanese diet, we must keep in mind that the word “diet” refers to foods consumed by a specific population group. This is not a diet for weight loss, since the goal should not be that, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The Japanese eat mostly rice, fish, seafood and fruits, Among which citrus fruits stand out. In addition, their diet is rich soy, seaweed, miso and mushrooms such as shiitake.
What are its advantages?
All these foods are rich fiber, healthy fats and proteins. In addition, they are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
But can all together provide additional benefits? To answer this question, the study authors surveyed 1,636 Japanese adults aged from 40 to 89 years. First, they had to record everything they ate and drank for three days. They were also given a disposable camera so they could take before and after photos of their meals. In this way, doses can also be calculated.
On the other hand, they were questioned about their habits and took blood tests to check whether they had a genetic predisposition to dementia or other forms of disease. cognitive impairment.
Of all these people, 589 ate a Japanese diet, and 697 ate a more Western diet with more refined carbohydrates, red meat and processed foods. Finally, 350 people followed a self-administered diet rich mainly vegetables, fruits and dairy products.
Over the course of two years, all these people underwent an MRI of the brain, during which the level of brain atrophy was measured. This involves the reduction of neurons in certain areas of the brain, which may be associated with dementia. Interestingly, wasting was significantly higher in the group eating a Western diet, while people eating a Japanese diet were more protected. A vegetable and dairy diet, although beneficial for health, does not seem to provide as much protection.
All this was, of course, independent of other risk factors analyzed after the interview.
Only for women
Interestingly, this protection against cognitive decline was much more evident in women who took part in the program. japanese diet. There were no such clear differences among men. This may be because some of the nutrients found in foods like soy, including phytoestrogens and magnesium, are better for women.
However, Japan is also full of long-lived men. For this reason, these scientists believe it is worth studying its diet in more depth, in case Westerners would find it particularly beneficial to increase their consumption of some of its ingredients. There is no way to reach 100 years of age. I wish it were so. But it is obvious that nutrition is necessary to achieve this goal. Therefore, if we have to make an effort to eat sushi to live longer, we will have to do it. What a remedy.
Source: Hiper Textual
