Is The Japanese Or Mediterranean Diet Healthier? I Asked A Longevity Doctor

Japanese foodYou’ve likely heard that the Mediterranean diet, which prioritises whole foods and limits red meat, fish, sugar, and saturated fats, is good for us – it has been linked to an increased lifespan, better heart health, and even a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But some scientific literature says that the traditional ‘Japanese diet’ (and its principle of Washoku) can “be characterised as a healthy diet in the same way that the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet is so classified.” Focusing on minimally processed veggies, fish, grains, and fruit, the focus is on getting as much balanced, satisfying flavour out of seasonal, healthy food as possible.Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Nicholas Dragolea, GP and founder of the London-based My Longevity Centre, shared how the Japanese diet stacks up against its Mediterranean counterpart. The ‘Japanese diet’ includes heart-healthy fish and loads of greens“The Japanese diet has some similarities with the Mediterranean diet,” Dr Dragolea tells us. “It’s mostly plant-based and encourages a low red or processed meat content, but plenty of fish!”But, he says, they’re not completely identical.“The key difference between the two is that the Mediterranean diet puts more of an emphasis on legumes, whole grain wheat and the extra-virgin oil, while the Japanese diet emphasises a more fermented soy, sea vegetables and rice content,” he explained.“I suppose this is primarily due to the availability of the different foods in the corresponding geographies and cuisines.” The iodine-rich seaweed, omega-3-heavy fish, and fibrous veggies in the Japanese diet may help to reduce blood pressure, while picked fruits and veg act as gut-healthy probiotics.Its high green tea intake may even help to guard against dementia and Parkinson’s, Healthline says. For now, though, the Mediterranean diet is still better-studiedWith that said, Dr Dragloea shared that for now, the Mediterranean diet is better-researched. “Repeated studies continue to show a 20-30% decrease in all-cause mortality for those on [the Mediterranean] diet, and it is the only high-level evidence-backed diet that I personally recommend to my patients as a GP,” he wrote.Still, the doctor added, “The Japanese diet might be just as good” – it’s just that “the science behind it is lacking, because of the lower number of studies and less strong evidence base.” Related...HRV Is Linked To ‘Exceptional Longevity’: Here’s What It Can (And Can’t) Tell You About Your HealthYour Postcode Is Ageing You: New Report Exposes North-South Longevity GapThis Longevity-Boosting Diet May Disrupt The Depression-Dementia Link

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