Green tea
Green tea contains a chemical called EGCG
that has anti-oxidant properties and that is believed to
prevent cancer. It is also believed that green tea prevents
heart disease. Of course, there are researchers who have
disputed these studies, but one thing is certain. If you drink
green tea, you are not likely to see any harm at all and you
might actually benefit by consuming it if health of Japanese
people is any indication.
Soy
In countries outside of Japan, soy consumption is booming. In fact, new and innovative uses of soy have been discovered. For instance, soy sour cream, cheese, burgers, milk, etc. There is consensus among researchers, that the low rate of cancer among
Japanese women can be attributed to soy. It is also responsible for reducing cholesterol - that means lower heart diseases. Like any other medical research, there is evidence that unusually high consumption of soy may be harmful too. Thus, occasional consumption of soy is encouraged.
(Related article:
Soy
substitutes for those who do not like to or can not eat soy)
Fish
Japanese consume a lot of fish - all kinds that they can find. Fish is a great source of nutrients and if you eat fish instead of beef or other fat containing meats, you will eat what is healthy and avoid what is not. A couple of times a week, consumption of fish is certainly helpful to get a body like the Japanese
- particularly because fish contains omega-3 fatty acids.
However, if you are a vegetarian, you may want to take
omega-3 fatty acids supplements. (Related article:
Make
your own sushi at home with salmon)
If you travel to Japan, especially if you are from a country where obesity is a major epidemic, you will be shocked by how healthy and