After all the doom and gloom of the last few days, here at last is a happy story. Eat healthy food and you'll live longer. The Japanese are living proof according to this article in the Daily Telegraph.
The number of Japanese over the age of 100 will exceed 20,000 for the first time this month. There are more than 10 million Japanese aged 75 and older. The average man will live for 78 years, but for women, life expectancy is over 85 years.
Though the article highlights a particular fermented bean called natto - not the favourite dish of most foreigners or indeed of the Japanese in the Kansai region of the country - the story of longevity isn't all about diet. A professor at Kobe University says, "My research indicates that people who live longest tend not to have financial anxieties. They interact socially with various groups of people and have good life skills. They set themselves targets and achieve them, so that life is good even as they age.''
Posted by Joe at September 26, 2003 07:20 AMExcellent stuff. My most favourite food at the moment is edamame. I could eat them all day long if I had the chance.
I think there are tons of lessons there. Part of it is probably not to get too anxious about things (what, me anxious?!). Even when westerners eat well and exercise, there's an underlying angst and guilt about the amount of exercise they're not getting or about their weight. These all lead to binge diets and probably binge exercise as well. I have to say that simply riding my bike to school with my daughter every day has made me feel 10 times better without having to worry whether I've set aside enough time for exercise.
Thanks for that, Joe. I feel much better now. :-)
Posted by: Lisa at September 26, 2003 03:38 PMI've been hearing of ways to increase longevity by an inch or more. Anyone know a reliable means?
Posted by: Rolf at September 26, 2003 04:25 PMLisa you should come to Japan in the next two weeks or so. :+) The BEST edamame in Japan comes into season in early October some 50km from us here in Kyoto. It's called kuromame (black beans) and they are out of this world. We make a special trip to go get them every year. If they travelled, I'd bring some over for you ...
Rolf, I've got a whole folder full of spam you might be interested in. ;+)
Posted by: Joe at September 26, 2003 05:04 PMtsk. not much chance I can get there for October, more's the pity. That said, I'll be over on your side of the planet in November. Rather farther to the south and west of you, though, so that's probably not going to help any either.
Posted by: Lisa at September 26, 2003 05:23 PM> Rather farther to the south and west of you,
Hong Kong? Thailand? Singapore? Malaysia? One thing for sure, the food will be great.
Posted by: Joe at September 27, 2003 07:59 AMit'a a secret ;-) I'm not saying until the tickets are bought...
Posted by: Lisa at September 27, 2003 06:56 PMOther research suggests no link between the amount of exercise one gets and length of life. Strange but true.
Quality of life is another story. Recently visited my family and my step-mum is barely able to move unassisted.
Posted by: DJ at September 29, 2003 06:25 AMI'm sure your point on exercise is correct. Exercise is pointless unless you have fun doing it. I really do wish I'd played more football when I was younger.
Posted by: Joe at September 29, 2003 10:33 AMI got a huge amount of exercise through my college years (all 10 of them!), and look at me now.
'The shape I'm in, I could donate my body to science fiction!'
-- Rodney Dangerfield
Posted by: DJ at September 29, 2003 10:49 AMI saw a programme on happiness once and dancing was suggested as the best means to make one happy as it encompasses the social interaction and exercise.
Posted by: Honey at September 30, 2003 06:41 PMBy the way, I really have had a longing for Japanese food lately and the sushi at Waitrose just isn't satisfying it. Joe, when are you getting here and what can you bring with you?
Posted by: Honey at September 30, 2003 06:43 PMDancing makes sense. Don't do too much of it ... er ... any of it, but can believe it.
Japanese food: I'll be in touch via email.
Posted by: Joe at September 30, 2003 09:17 PMI've heard the Baptists have banned sex: It could lead to dancing!
Posted by: DJ at September 30, 2003 11:11 PMEh?
Posted by: Joe at October 1, 2003 12:53 PM