Residents of the Japanese island of Okinawa are famous for their long lives. Having long lives of almost eighty four years, there’s several different things they do to slow down the aging process that we might want to consider.
For one thing they don’t eat a lot. Calorie restriction, which has always been known to promote lifespan, is built into the Okinawan culture. They drink lots of green tea, which is packed with various essential and phytonutrients, including just the right amount of caffeine, which enhances healthy circulation in the heart and in the brain. They enjoy lots of good fats and salt for that matter. Fish is a major staple of the Okinawans diet. So, they’re getting omega 3. Okinawans are big on miso and soy sauces, as well as various forms of seaweed and green leafy vegetables, all of which contain omega 6.
In addition to salt and other minerals, Okinawans understand community. They form “moais” social networks made of lifelong friends that are dedicated to supporting the individual’s social financial health, spiritual needs and interests. Okinawans know the members of social networks have less stress, more joy and increased longevity.
