Fitness

How Are Japanese People Always Fit? Science Behind It

How Are Japanese People Always Fit? Science Behind It
TOI

While almost every country is struggling to maintain a healthier and longer life expectancy. Japan has always been on its toes maintaining the highest life expectancy throughout the years. Not only that, the Japanese seem almost ageless with their physique and flawless skin. Likewise, the country also has a very low rate of obesity — the least among high-income developed nations, at only 4.3%. More interestingly, it might surprise you that Japanese people are not much into workout culture either. Saying that what makes Japanese so fit and healthy? What may be the science behind living such a healthy life?

Well, one thing is for sure. Japenese people have the most disciplined art of life that they abide by. Now, let’s begin the count down on the list that makes Japanese so fit and healthy.

Japanese Diet

How Are Japanese People Always Fit? Science Behind It
TOI

The secret begins from their diet itself. Their food is carbohydrate-heavy but low in saturated fat. They make sure they avoid food having too much sugar and salt. Their main food ingredients are rice, vegetables, and seafood. Likewise, seafood is best known for its health benefits. The omega 3 fatty acids of seafood have been found to be very effective at reducing abdominal fat. In addition to that, it also helps keep the skin smooth and supple.

Likewise, they are also fond of fermented food such as Shoyu and Natto. Such fermented foods are not only delicious. They’re also healing your gut as you eat them. They are also fond of green tea. They consume green tea even more than water. The study also says that Japanese citizens who drank five cups of green tea per day had a 26% lower mortality rate. More surprisingly, it is a country where the government itself has set health and nutrition guidelines that their citizens are ought to follow.

Portion Sizes

How Are Japanese People Always Fit? Science Behind It
Japan Info

Japan has very small portion sizes when it comes to food, as compared to other American countries. There is a reason why their food is not served on one big plate but on several small plates. Maybe you yourself had noticed this fact about Japanese cuisine. The variety might intimidate one. However, the small plates are to encourage small portion size of food. Likewise, this portion control keeps unintentional overeating and its consequences at bay.

Japanese Transportation System

How Are Japanese People Always Fit? Science Behind It
Live Japan

Most Japanese citizens live in very walkable cities. There is a safe environment for both pedestrians and cyclers. They have their own lane which encourages people to choose walking or cycling over public transportation. Hence not many households own cars. As a result, when people go to work, they choose to walk. Similarly, with grocery shopping, they walk. Walking is an activity they adopt every single day by every generation. Even their main form of exercise is walking.  This is how they burn their calories every time they go here and there. No wonder why they don’t need to hit the gym. In a nutshell, we can also say that walking for them is a part of daily life like breathing is.

Green Tea Magic

Tea especially green tea is the number one beverage in Japan. Japan ranks amongst the top ten nations in the world that consume green tea the most. The Health Benefits of Green tea for sure are not a new thing to us. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, which help boosts your defense against cancer. It also reduces your risk of heart disease, burns fat, balances metabolism, fights anxiety, and even increases cognitive function. According to a study, the citizens who drank 5 cups of green tea a day had a 26 percent lower mortality rate.

Food As An Experience

Bright Side

How many times have we been guilty of eating too much while watching Netflix or in the car on our way to work? We take food just like food or sometimes even like time pass. Sich activities only result in overeating. While in Japan, meals are seen as an important part of one’s day. They don’t eat food but experience it. They respect their food and their food culture. This is how the Japanese get fit by removing destruction while eating and being mindful of what they are having.

Also Read: Japanese Anime or Manga Genres Explained

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