The Japanese diet is based on the principle of health and longevity. Japanese food is not only tasteful and mouth-watering but also offers various health benefits. Japanese food traditionally consists of unprocessed foods, refined sugar or foods, and high amounts of grains and vegetables. Here are some of the many health benefits of enjoying Japanese food:
1. A REDUCED RISK OF CERTAIN CANCERS
Japan has had an extremely low risk for hormone-dependent cancers such as breast and prostate cancers. This is attributed to the high consumption of vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, high-fiber foods, and overall lower calorie intake.
2. LARGE VARIETY OF FRUITS & VEGETABLES
The Japanese diet consists of a wide range of vegetables, which contains essential minerals to support overall nutrition. For example, seaweed is highly nutritious, including large amounts of iodine that can help your body preserve a healthy thyroid. Also, high amounts of fruit are consumed for breakfast and dessert, which has high amounts of fiber and water content.
3. LOWER CHANCE OF HEART PROBLEMS
As a nation, Japan has one of the lowest rates for the development of heart disease in the world and even more compared to developed countries. The reasoning behind these low instances of heart diseases is that the Japanese diet is filled with foods that help improve heart health.
Furthermore, Japanese food lacks ingredients in their diet which promotes poor cardiac health like high levels of saturated fats, modified carbohydrates from processed foods, and lower levels of sugar consumption. Soy is commonly in many Japanese dishes, and it is known to decrease the risk of heart attacks, as well as, regulate blood pressure. The Japanese use soy as an alternative to red meat, which can be very high in saturated fats.
4. HEALTHY TEAS
Japanese restaurants usually include green tea with their meals, which have numerous health benefits. Green tea is known to help regulate blood pressure, lower blood sugar, boost the immune system, lower cholesterol, and slow down the aging process. It also contains half the amount of caffeine that coffee does, and helps breaks down oils in your digestive system. Green tea also helps create a relaxed and focused mental state of mind due to it being rich in antioxidants.
5. PLENTY OF PROTEIN
The Japanese culture understands that eating high-quality sources of protein helps promote a healthier lifestyle. Many of the dishes in Japanese food are full of protein, which is incredibly beneficial to your body. Fish, chicken, and even tofu are some of the most common staples in Japanese food. Kobe beef provides a rich source of protein and essential nutrients, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. When you eat a lot of protein, you create stronger building blocks for your bones, your muscles, your cartilage, your skin, and even your blood. Protein also provides large amounts of iron, which keeps your blood oxygenated, so it continues to flow through your body as efficiently as possible.
In addition, the Japanese diet uses a lot of fish instead of red meats because it lowers the risks of heart attacks. By consuming more fish, you’re also gaining a great source of omega 3 fatty acids and brain-boosting nutrients.
6. HEALTHY OPTIONS
Teppanyaki, which is also part of the Japanese diet, is another great option for healthier eating. Even though teppanyaki is fried, it’s incredibly healthy. One of the benefits of choosing this style of cooking is the food preparation. Compared to others where everything is deep fried, teppanyaki doesn’t deep fry any of their foods. Instead, items are cooked in a conservative amount of cottonseed oil on a flat-top grill. With options like fish and veggies, you can easily eat knowing you’re putting the right foods into your body.