Japan – and especially Okinawa, which is located in the south of the country not far from Taiwan – is known for its centuries. In fact, this idyllic island is home to many elderly people who have passed the century mark.
In addition to their mental state and their active life, their diet will also contribute to their longevity: vegetables of various kinds, but also rice, fish and seaweed are on the menu. And they are not the only ones in Japan who follow this type of diet. That’s a good thing, because research shows that these eating habits can help prevent depression of the stomach, especially in women. In older people, this can lead to cognitive decline and dementia. “Adhering to a healthy diet, eating whole foods, seafood, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, soy products and green tea, can provide a protective effect against brain atrophy in Japanese women who elderly people, but not in men, said the study published in the Nutrition Journal.
A total of 1,636 Japanese adults aged 40 to 89 participated in the study, which was conducted by the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. The eating habits of the participants were followed for two years, making it possible to determine three main diets: Western diet; a diet based on vegetables, fruits and dairy products; and finally traditional Japanese food.
The findings show that the secret of good mental health of women may lie in eating green tea, mushrooms, miso and other foods. In fact, women who follow a traditional Japanese diet have less brain damage than those who follow a Western diet.
It’s not the same for men. Although the study highlights the need for further research to confirm these findings and identify the underlying mechanisms, it highlights the importance of different effects related to sex and relationships in the relationship between dietary habits and brain health in different populations.
