The pursuit of eternal youth and a fulfilling life is deeply rooted in human history, often entwined with formidable challenges. Recent discussions have spotlighted Japan, particularly Okinawa, where residents live significantly longer than on other islands, with a noteworthy number of centenarians. Research reveals that Japanese diets are varied and balanced, emphasizing moderation rather than extremes. Contrary to popular dietary beliefs, Okinawans actually consume more animal protein, challenging common notions about healthy eating. Ultimately, it’s not one superfood but a mix of options along with cultural practices that contribute to their longevity.
The following content is published by Focus online*
The aspiration for eternal youth alongside a life abundant in happiness and health is deeply rooted in human history. Whether it’s the quest for the Holy Grail or ascending to Olympus, the journey towards this ideal has consistently faced significant challenges and obstacles.
Even Indiana Jones might have ultimately failed, despite coming close to his goal, particularly with drinking from the Holy Grail. However, when it comes to longevity, recent times have seen a surge in advice and tips. One nation appears particularly successful: Japan.
Specifically, the remote island of Okinawa is renowned for its inhabitants living longer on average compared to people from the other main islands, boasting an unusually high number of centenarians. But what accounts for this phenomenon? Proponents of low-carb diets argue that consuming white rice accelerates aging, while vegans warn against excessive intake of animal protein. Understanding the facts requires on-site investigation.
Nutrition expert Malte Rubach reports:
Nutritional Secret: A Bit of Everything & Pork Joint Cartilage
Upon flying directly from Tokyo to Okinawa, we were greeted with a surprise. We encountered a well-known Brazilian YouTuber couple (channel ‘Muito Japao’, highly recommended) who have been living in Tokyo for some time and were taking a short vacation in Okinawa.
They guided us straight to a traditional Kaiseki restaurant in Okinawa’s capital for our research. These establishments serve traditional regional dishes akin to a Japanese version of tapas. We were thrilled, as the table was laden with offerings from the local cuisine—both plant-based and animal-based dishes.
There were vegetables, tender pork, beef, and chicken, fish, and of course, white rice. A particularly memorable dish was a soup containing a slippery blob that turned out to be pork joint. The cartilage is sucked dry, believed to provide valuable protein—a kind of local superfood revered by the Japanese.
There were no absurd or monotonous diets featuring miracle tubers, vegetables, and fruits often marketed as superfoods here. The Japanese simply eat a little bit of everything, but not too much.
Rice & Meat
Don’t be misled by low-carb and keto diet gurus; every Japanese household has a rice cooker—used for cooking rice, not for dyeing eggs. This notion is an absolute no-go for advocates of wholesome nutrition.
It’s alarming to think about what is branded as fattening or aging in Germany. Even if one could tolerate that, it would be nice if meat appeared on the menu only occasionally. Sadly, that’s not the case. Instead, the myth persists in the Western world of a lactose-intolerant, fish-eating, mostly vegetarian Japanese person.
It seems plausible that everyone could be fit and live to a ripe old age. At this point, I suspect that many German dietary guides simply echo what has been said countless times before. Japanese people also enjoy pork, particularly the small Agu pig, which is not found in our country.
20 Percent More Meat Consumption on the Island
Of course, Kobe beef is also consumed. And here comes the surprise: On Okinawa, where people’s average lifespan is even slightly greater than on the main islands, meat consumption is actually 20 percent higher. It’s curious that, despite the fervent search for the superfood of centenarians, no one has yet discovered and praised pork as an anti-aging remedy, right?
Could it be that a high intake of animal protein is the secret to a long life? A glance at consumption data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that the supply of animal protein in Japan is 1.25 times higher than that of plant protein. In other countries where people tend to live exceptionally long lives, animal protein consumption is even 1.5 times greater than that of plant protein.
Old & Happy: The Secret
So don’t worry about trends. By the end of our journey, we had sampled the entire Japanese buffet, except for the fermented soybeans called ‘Natto’, which the Japanese love for breakfast. However, the secret to the longevity of Japanese people lies not in a specific superfood, but rather in a variety of superfoods!
There’s practically nothing they won’t eat, and their balanced diet provides everything the body requires. There are two additional factors: Japanese individuals excel in self-control