Two-thirds of the today, over a hundred years of island residents lived according to a study, even 97 years old, independently and without assistance. Also, the number of heart attack, stroke or cancer-affected people in Okinawa is very low.

Researchers have been trying for a Long time to find out why the inhabitants of Okinawa, so unusually long and healthy. In the meantime, are you convinced that your diet is an absolute key role.

A diet with lots of vegetables, soy and seafood

The traditional cuisine of the island group is rich in fruits in vegetables, soy products, and sea. Scientists derEat-Lancet Commission had, in January, that since, by and Large, their “Planetary Health”-pattern diet. Behind it, a diet is a way that has a positive effect on human health, and also helps to reduce the negative environmental impacts of our diet.

In the cuisine of the Okinawa Islands is fruit, among other things, often with sweet potatoes, green leafy and root vegetables, bitter melons, and modest amounts of fish and seafood, lean meat, fruit and tea. A typical meal could consist of, for example, from Miso soup, stir fried vegetables with seaweed and a Cup of freshly brewed Jasmine tea.

Little calories, but lots of carbs

These 3 entrepreneurs want to open Germany’s first waste-the supermarket – you can help you

In General, this diet is so low calorie values, however, is mainly due to the sweet potato dishes rich in carbohydrates. It also provides a moderate protein intake and many nutrients, with small amounts of meat, white flour, sugar and milk products.

This leads to the fact that people from Okinawa are grown usually as big and a bit leaner than the national average. A study found out that the proportion of carbohydrates to proteins in the cuisine of the Okinawa Islands almost entirely to the matches, what diets to prolong the service life required.

The nutritionist Shelley Maniscalco, President of the consulting company Nutrition on Demand, says, that the eating habits of the Okinawans would have had many advantages, even if you do not need to imitate them yourself.

“There, you eat a lot of vegetables and fruit, which, as we all know, has many health benefits – probably even more so, as we previously found out. In addition, the local food is also rich in vegetable proteins, fish, seafood and whole grain products. These properties roughly correspond to what we understand under a the health and a long life-promoting diet,” explains the scientist.

To stop eating when you feel 80 percent of saturated

In contrast, there is a lack, for example, in the diet of the average US-American fabrics, usually in fiber and a long list of nutrients. In addition, many American products contain large amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol, sugar and salt.

While the inhabitants of the island of Okinawa to the rule of hara hachi bu keep saying that you stop eating when you are 80 per cent, saturated feel, take as many Americans and Western Europeans to many calories. This increases the risk for obesity and favors the typical age-related diseases such as heart attack, cancer, and Diabetes.

To enjoy the with the diet of the people of Okinawa-related health benefits, not have to change the cooking habits but not necessarily quite on the cuisine of the Okinawan cuisine.

Diet rich in green leafy vegetables and lean protein products

“We should not forget that we can have kitchens with the basics of other cultures that live in our own Regional with embed,” says Whitney, lens Meyer, a spokeswoman for the American Academy for nutrition and food Sciences.

“In other words: Someone who tries to cook at home in accordance with the Okinawa cuisine, but lives far from the coast and is therefore difficult to fresh fish and vegetables, can still apply to the Okinawan principle of a rich diet consisting of green leafy vegetables and lean protein products in their diet.”

But despite all of this, it is simply impossible to design the own diet in such a way. This was due both to a lack of Motivation and expertise, as well as financial restrictions.

Study: people Who grow up in the countryside, with a significantly lower risk mentally ill

“The real Problem with this, to help people, change your nutrition, is to close the large gap between what people know about nutrition and how you Know this then implement at the end of the practice.”

The reasons for this are varied and different from person to person, typical problems, however, the high cost of Food, the limited availability of certain ingredients and a number of practical difficulties, such as, for example, the apparent difficulty of cooking or competing priorities in everyday life, says lens Meyer.

Nevertheless, the Okinawa-diet with a limited Budget, says Melissa Halas-Liang, a nutritionist and spokeswoman of the California Academy of food and nutrition Sciences.

Little alcohol and a lot of movement to prolong life – but also social cohesion

“I create, for example, diet plans for College students, the cost per meal to up to US $ 1.50, can reduce,” says Halas-Liang.

Also, we must not lose sight of in addition to diet, other factors which have a negative effect on the service life, such as, for example, to little movement and a high level of alcohol consumption, from the point of view.

The people in Okinawa lead an active lifestyle, and rarely enjoy (in moderation), a locally-brewed Brandy.

The other factors that promote a long life the General well-being and the many meaningful activities, which the islanders pursue.

“It is difficult to exactly measure, but it seems almost certain that people with a strong social cohesion, strong friend and family circles, and defined social roles, less likely to age diseases, as an isolated or lonely people,” says Professor John Mathers, Director of the Institute for aging and geriatric health at the University of Newcastle.

Health: How is feces-eating worms, Thousands of people could save

A good social life will not be able to replace a healthy diet but, says nutritionist Halas-Liang.

“It is important to be in touch with others, to be part of something Bigger, to make a difference, to be part of a community and to share his life with others and to grow. But who is doing all of this, but a Liter of Coca-Cola per day to drink, sitting on a Desk and not moved, will probably not have for a long time, the energy, to feel good or to stay in touch with others,” she explains.

This article was first published in the HuffPost US, and was translated by Luke Wahden from the English.

(ujo)

This article was written by Tom Levitt

*The post “life is Nowhere as long as on the Okinawa Islands – this is the reason” comes from HuffPost. There is no editorial review by FOCUS Online. Contact with the executives here.