What is the Japanese secret to long life? Japan’s life expectancy is the highest in the planet, their life span reaches until they get older, the highest in the world. According to studies in 2019, at least 2.31 million are 90-years-old of age including centenarians with an outstanding number of over 71,000.
Secret To The Long Life
Here, we will be sharing why Japanese live longer and what is the secret behind our age-old practices of living a long life.
Healthy Eating Habits
Japan’s abundance of seafood in the country is not the major reason of Japanese healthy diet but it plays a huge role in their healthy eating habits. Japanese diet commonly consists of lean and high in omega-rich fish, whole grains, rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables, soy, seaweed and rice.
These food groups are low in saturated fat but high in vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates which reduces risks of heart diseases.
In 2005, the government published food and dietary guidelines and those who followed the healthy regime were found to be healthier and have a lower mortality rate than those who didn’t.
Active Lifestyle
Japanese live a long life because of their vigorous lifestyle. The eldery and retirees stay active, you can still even see them cycling and walking around. Japan’s government also encourages Japanese citizens to begin second careers or postpone retirement, another way to maintain an active lifestyle.
Also in Matsumoto, their community had organized communal walks that even in winter season, you will see Japanese people walking around the area.
Also every morning, about 98% of Japanese children would cycle or walk to school and even the whole community, Japanese are active for most people even walk going to the train station or cycle going to their workplace.
Health Care
Japan boasts world-class but affordable healthcare and is one of the best in the world. A Japanese has access to universal public health care services plus they visit doctors 14 times a year which prevents illnesses at an earlier stage.
Moreover, Japanese government has launched many health care programs such as health screenings in workplaces and schools which greatly helped in Japan’s high life expectancy rate. Also, thanks to Japanese traditions, families are more likely to care for their elderly than send them to care facilities making the millions of Japanese elderly happier and more likely to live longer which is detrimental to their mental health to stay with familiar people.
Conclusion
What do you think are the other reasons why Japanese live longer? Which in this list do you think is the most important for the Japanese? We would love to hear your comments about what you think.
References:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/02/19/national/japans-buckling-health-care-system-crossroads/