Japanese people mostly use water for cooking. Boiling, steaming and cooking on low flame are part of their kitchen. This preserves the nutrients and makes the food light and easily digestible. Whereas in India, there is more fried and oily food, which affects the heart and digestion system in the long run.

Their diet is also quite different from that of Indians. Japanese cuisine includes large amounts of fish, green vegetables, and fermented foods such as miso and pickles. This provides the body with Omega-3 fatty acids and good bacteria which strengthen the health of the heart and kidneys. On the contrary, packaged and processed foods have increased rapidly in India, due to which the culture of balanced eating has gradually disappeared.

The Japanese are also careful about the quantity of food they eat. There is a tradition of “Hara Hachi Bu” i.e. eating only till the stomach is 80 percent full. This prevents overeating and does not put additional burden on the body. Earlier in India also there was a culture of eating slowly and in balanced quantities, but now in the fast-paced life this habit has almost disappeared.

Physical activity is also a part of their life. Walking, cycling and group activities are common there. For this reason, their bodies remain strong even as they grow older. A recent study shows that almost half of India’s adult population does not meet the physical activity guidelines set by the World Health Organization.

Eating time and sleep also make a difference. In Japan, people eat dinner early and light, which helps in good sleep and keeps the metabolism healthy. Most of the families in India eat late and heavy meals, which disturbs digestion and also affects sleep.

Actually, longevity is not a game of luck. This is the result of our everyday habits. Japanese people live with discipline and balance. Their small habits like eating light food, sleeping on time and being active daily are the real secrets of their long and healthy life.