Why Do Japanese Live So Long?
According to a Japan Times article, Japan currently has over 86,500 people who are at least 100 years old. Women make up the greatest number at just over 76,000.
There are 36.5 million people aged 65 and older. That’s 29% of Japan’s total population. (Source, Japan Statistical Handbook of 2021)
Along with a decrease in the overall population, the number of senior citizens is growing. The total population went down by 149,000 while the golden crowd surged by an additional 220,000 in 2021.
Age Watch says Japanese women have the second-longest life expectancy in the world, after Hong Kong, and the men come in third, just after Hong Kong and Switzerland.
Just what is it that gains these folks those extra years? The most likely reason is primarily, diet, as in the noun, not the verb. For example, when compared to the USA, average food portions in Japan are much smaller than in the USA. Seldom does one see restaurant patrons carrying home leftover food in “doggy bags” in Japan. Most restaurants won’t allow it due to concerns of food poisoning from food left unrefrigerated too long. The typical Japanese diet is about 1,000 calories less per day than the typical American diet, according to this article on Insider.com.
Red meat consumption in Japan is also much lower than in western countries. Animal products don’t have much of a role in the traditional Japanese diet. Instead, a typical meal will consist of fish and plant-based proteins, like tofu or beans, and a variety of vegetables. All are leaner and kinder to one’s vascular system.
When eating at home, most Japanese don’t consume sodas with their meals. The Japanese menu typically has enough liquid that most people don’t want, or need, anything else — not even water — to drink with their meals. Soup, like miso soup, is part of many meals, and vegetables are often cooked in a dashi broth. Even rice contains its weight in water. When dining out, especially at a fast-food restaurant, the drink sizes come nowhere near the mega-drinks consumed by most Americans.
Here is a link to a YouTube video to give you a comparison of Japanese sizes vs American.
That’s not to say that the Japanese diet is super healthy. There is some evidence that a diet of refined rice and bread, two foods with very little dietary fiber, may be the culprit behind increasing rates of diabetes. While nowhere near the high rates of the west, a rise in Japan’s obesity rates has brought the risks of high blood pressure and a variety of cancers. This is further exacerbated by the increase in fast food throughout the nation during the last couple of decades. Despite this, the obesity rate in Japan is still extremely low with fewer than 4% of the adult population classified as obese. This compares to a 40% rate in the USA. If you want to see how your country compares, have a look at World Population Review’s site.
Social Health Insurance may also lead to a longer life for Japanese citizens. Regular checkups are offered at low, or in some cases no, cost. These regular health screenings may also contribute to an extended life span.
One final note has to do with plate size. Yep, you read that right. Japanese tend to serve meals on small plates. I know this for a fact from our own home dining habits. Small plates can cause people to eat smaller portions. Smaller portions mean less food. Try it. You might be surprised!
