What is the Okinawa Diet?
If you recently binge-watched Live To 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix, you were probably left with some questions. The first episode of the docu-series follows author and explorer Dan Buettner on a trip to Okinawa, Japan where viewers learn about the Okinawa diet and why traditional Japanese cuisine may play a role in longevity. Clearly, something is working since Japan has the highest number of centenarians—people who live to be 100 or older—in the world.
During his exploration of the world’s “Blue Zones” (regions where people live longer than average), Buettner discovered that the centenarians in Okinawa seemed to prioritize nourishing foods along with healthy relationships, consistent physical activity, and less negativity, says New York-based dietitian Asako Miyashita, RDN. When combined with these healthy lifestyle habits, the Okinawa diet may help lower rates of chronic illness and obesity, Miyashita says.
There is no single diet plan that will work for everyone, and you should always consult a doctor and/or dietitian before starting a new eating routine. That said, if you’re curious to know about the Okinawa diet, its supposed benefits, and whether it can really help you live as long as centenarians in the world’s Blue Zones, here’s what experts want you to know.
Excerpted from Aol.
