this is what you get when you order a hamburger at Denny's in the United States when you order
a hamburger at Denny's in Japan even though it's the same restaurant you'll get two very different
things because head over to Japan even if they try to do something unhealthy like a
westernized version of a food such as the burger they can't really do it because their preferences
just aren't into it no bread no fries just there this is crazy to me Japan has the longest life
expectancy in the world the average person in the US will live to age 77 but in Japan they'll
live to age 85 and one of the main reasons for their longevity is Diet this is so crazy and
this might help explain why Japanese live so long Japanese food is very healthy food people
tend to eat more healthier food Japan has the lowest obesity rate in the world it's just four
percent compare that to the US which has the highest obesity rate in the world 42 percent
oh you know that but it's not just about the food in the U.S the life expectancy has fallen
for three years in a row with the average American male only expected to live until age 73. so he's
74 years old and that's technically now longer than what the average American male is expected
to live and you look at him and you think he's nowhere near the end of his life I mean he's
mobile he's fishing old people are everywhere I look being active and being social that's
what you see right here behind me they're working jobs into their 70s or even 80s in many countries
people wish to be retired but in Japan majority of the people they like to work many are biking on
the streets in this Society you don't grow old and go sit in a senior home here you have people who
are fishing together also culture and the Habit as well while walking through a town I even meet
this man my age Tony is seven Chinese food long day so why do Japanese live the longest in the
world let's break it down into four main reasons one of the main reasons people live so long here
is Diet here there is a huge emphasis on Fresh seasonal ingredients balanced portions soybeans
and tea the Japanese diet typically means a high consumption in things like vegetables seaweeds
Fish seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and contributes to heart health all of this plus a
low consumption of red meat these dietary choices have been linked to things like a reduced risk of
cardiovascular disease and stroke another thing I notice is portion sizes here are so much smaller
than America one reason for low conservative is the difference of culture food food that's matter
generous speaking Japanese people eat lower calorie food it's so much vegetables in every
food in every Cuisine the Japanese diet is low in saturated fats and added sugars while Rich in
complex carbs Like Rice and Noodles which provide sustained energy and promote a feeling of fullness
these carb sources are often consumed alongside small portions of protein like tofu or lean meats
this is often their version of desserts and sweets fruits the Japanese have a tradition of consuming
fermented foods like miso and pickled vegetables these are rich in probiotics and promote a healthy
gut microbiome and remember a balanced gut has been associated with improved digestion immune
function and overall well-being but it isn't just about what they're eating but also how
they're eating too in Japan there's a practice called harahachibu this translates to eat until
you are 80 percent full it's a cultural concept that promotes mindful eating and helps prevent
overeating and that reduces the risk of obesity related issues like diabetes heart disease and
certain types of cancer Japanese enjoy meals in a social setting often with family and friends and
that Fosters positive of mental health and reduces stress levels this combination of healthy dietary
choices portion control and mindful eating along with social and cultural practices contributes
to Japan's crazy high longevity rates number two is habits 68 of Japanese adults engage in
regular physical activity that's way higher than the global average of 31 percent Japanese people
exercising some American people exercise every day but very limited Japanese most of the people
have exercising routine not muscle training by walking it's active and it's social two things
that are amazing for living a long life regular physical activity is deeply ingrained in Japanese
culture and plays a huge role in promoting overall health Japan is a culture that encourages active
Transportation like walking and cycling many people here rely on public transportation and
actively walk or cycle to and from stations which naturally increase increases their daily physical
activity levels activities like Tai Chi and martial arts are also popular and widely embraced
here Japan also has a strong tradition of engaging in outdoor activities and sports like hiking
gardening and swimming the Japanese government also actively promotes a healthy lifestyle
by encouraging workplace Wellness programs and providing Community facilities for exercise number
three is overall culture people here love arts and Community sometimes in Japan you see elders
just spending hours drawing painting from nature so they sit in nature and I've seen it in so many
places around Japan where they'll just spend hours just taking it in drawing painting it's
really cool Japan has a strong sense of community and social support networks and that contributes
to overall well-being 84 percent of Japanese individuals reported having someone they could
rely on in times of need and that demonstrates the importance of social connections Japan has
made significant progress in reducing smoking rates and that contributes to Better Health
according to the World Health Organization smoking among Japanese adults decreased from 36 percent in
1990 to about 18 in 2019 and then there is the respect for elders the culture here emphasizes
respecting older people which results in better care for the Aging population it also promotes
the responsibility of younger generations to care for their parents which ultimately
leads to improved overall health and well-being in older individuals there's also a focus on
stress reduction Japanese culture promotes stress reduction practices like mindfulness meditation
and even communal bathing in Hot Springs this is known as onsins and these activities contribute
to relaxation mental well-being and more number four is actually genetics there have been a few
factors that likely contribute to the longevity of the Japanese population one of them is a
variation in the what's called fox03 Gene this has been linked to an increase lifespan and a
reduced risk of age-related diseases Studies have found that the frequency of this Gene variant is
higher in Japanese individuals compared to other populations another genetic factor is
the presence of certain snps that are associated with longevity related traits basically they're
involved in various biological processes like DNA repair immune response and inflammation regulation
so Japanese people exhibit a higher prevalence of these favorable genetic variants and researchers
have found that Japanese individuals have a lower incidence of certain genetic variations
that are linked to age-related conditions like Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disorders Japan's
impressive longevity rate positions it is the country with the highest life expectancy
in the world it's really impressive for me to walk around and see how that actually impacts
the quality of life here but on the other side many people suffer from overworking too Japan
has some of the longest hours in the world and there is now a lack of interest in having chill
children which means that Japan's population is going to decline massively it will go from 125
million people today to just 75 million in 2100. I'm making more videos explaining why this is
happening and what it means for the future of this country so make sure to follow for more.