How Culture Has An Impact On Lifespan
Prolonging life expectancy can have a lot to do with how you eat, and that’s heavily impacted by culture. The Denver Health Medical Plan recommends nutrient-dense foods over ultra-processed foods for a long, healthy life.
10 best foods for longevity:
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale or cabbage)
Salad greens
Nuts
Seeds
Berries
Pomegranate
Beans
Onions and garlic
The Japanese community tops the global charts when it comes to life expectancy, and scientists believe this is due to several factors.
Reasons Japanese people may live longer:
Eating lots of vegetables
Different styles of cooking and eating including lots of steaming
Drinking lots of tea
Eating fresh foods
Eating smaller dishes
More physical activity including walking instead of driving
Regular healthcare including frequent doctor visits
When comparing the Japanese diet to the Canadian diet, we see clear differentiators when it comes to meat consumption, saturated fat intake and omega-3 fatty acids.
Canadian diet:
Consumes twice as much meat as the population of Japan
Consumes more saturated fat and less omega-3 fatty acids
Soy products starting to become more available
Traditionally eat items like bacon, eggs, pancakes and waffles with syrup for breakfast
Consumes half as much meat as the population of Canada
Consumes less saturated fat and more omega-3 fatty acids
More soy
Traditionally eat items like rice, puffed omelette or grilled fish, miso soup, pickled vegetables and green tea for breakfast
It isn’t a secret that your diet affects the ageing process. While there is nothing wrong with ageing gracefully, there are some changes we can make to extend our years. If you are looking to change your diet, consider using a personal chef. Personal chefs are trained in all cuisines and can help you navigate that lifestyle change seamlessly.