Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – It’s no secret that Japanese people are known for having a healthy lifestyle. It is not surprising that many studies state that the average Japanese population has a high life expectancy.

Apart from that, the obesity rate in Japan is also relatively low, namely only 3.5 percent of the total population. The rate of serious illnesses in Japan, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and heart disease, is also low.

The secret to a healthy and long life that Japanese people have is in their diet. A professional nutritionist from Tokyo, Japan, Asako Miyashita, revealed that there are 5 typical foods from Sakura Country which she believes are the secret to the longevity of her country’s population.

So what are they? the following is the explanation:

1. Fish

Don’t forget to increase the protein content in your food. Foods with high protein can be obtained from fatty fish such as salmon and tuna.

The omega-3 fats in fish can help lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides, and reduce inflammation. Asako advised that practicing mindful eating can contribute to a person’s health and quality of life.

2. Japanese sweet potato

Purple sweet potatoes or what are called “imo” in Japanese are often eaten as snacks or desserts. This food is rich in healthy carbohydrates and anthocyanins, a group of antioxidants found in red and purple vegetables that contain anti-aging properties.

Studies also show that sweet potatoes may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

3. Miso Soup

Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans and grains. Miso is very popular, especially as Japanese people are known for their fermented food diet.

Miso soup contains probiotics, live bacteria, or yeast in fermented foods that can help balance gut health and improve the immune system.

A study found that men and women who consumed the most fermented soybeans (such as miso, tofu, and tempeh) were 10% less likely to die early than those who rarely consumed these foods.

4. Seaweed

Seaweed is rich in important minerals such as iron, calcium, folate and magnesium. Eating seaweed every day helps add daily fiber.

Adequate fiber intake has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Seaweed also contains antioxidants such as fucoxanthin and fucoidan, both of which have anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties.

5. Daikon Radish

Daikon radish is a popular root vegetable in Japanese cuisine that provides many health benefits. Daikon radish has been known to help prevent colds and improve the immune system.

One radish contains 124% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. If you have trouble finding daikon radishes, you can replace them with other healthy root vegetables including carrots, beets, parsnips and white radishes.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(hsy/hsy)