Table of contents hide 1 The inhabitants of Okinawa, a small island south of the Japanese archipelago, are famous for their longevity. It is one of the corners of the planet with the highest proportion of centenarians. What are your secrets? Traveler, educator and writer Dan Buetner has described the nine keys to longevity in Okinawa. 2 1. Adopt an ikigai. 3 2. Follow a vegetable-based diet. 4 3. Eat more soy. 5 4. Take care of a garden. 6 5. Plant a medicinal garden. 7 6. Be part of a moai. 8 7. Enjoy the sun. 9 8. Stay active. 10 9. Maintain serenity. 11 9 secrets of the centenarians of Okinawa
The inhabitants of Okinawa, a small island south of the Japanese archipelago, are famous for their longevity. It is one of the corners of the planet with the highest proportion of centenarians. What are your secrets? Traveler, educator and writer Dan Buetner has described the nine keys to longevity in Okinawa.
It is often claimed that technology and medical advances are responsible for the increase in life expectancy. However, the longest populations are not around the most sophisticated hospitals, but in remote places like Okinawa that have maintained ancestral customs.
1. Adopt an ikigai.
An ikigai is a purpose in life, an objective that gives meaning to existence. The elders of Okinawa can explain the reason they get up every morning. It gives them a sense of responsibility and of being necessary for the community with up to 100 years. Westerners who study the longevity of these Japanese people concentrate on food and other material aspects, however, spiritual factors can be very influential, as Dan Buetner rightly points out. Okinawa has a long Buddhist and pacifist tradition and was an independent and unarmed kingdom until the 17th century.
2. Follow a vegetable-based diet .
The people of Okinawa who follow the traditional diet appreciate pork but eat it in small quantities and only on the occasion of one of the annual celebrations. They eat fish more frequently but do not reach the daily half ration. Therefore their diet is based on plant foods, with special abundance of fruits and vegetables . They eat less rice than the rest of the Japanese. They like cabbage and other sauteed vegetables, sweet potatoes, tofu and spices like turmeric. Dan Buetner is struck by the presence in the goya menus, a bitter melon very rich in antioxidants and the ability to reduce the blood glucose rate.
3. Eat more soy .
The Okinawa diet is especially rich in foods derived from soybeans such as tofu or miso soup. Peculiar soy compounds prevent cardiovascular disorders and various types of cancer. Fermented soy foods (tempeh, sauces ...) favor the health of the intestinal flora, a factor that is considered increasingly important for the maintenance of health.
4. Take care of a garden .
Virtually all Okinawa centenarians currently care for or have taken care of an orchard that provides them with fresh vegetables, keeps them physically active and relaxes them.
5. Plant a medicinal garden .
In the orchards there is no shortage of medicinal plants such as artemis, ginger and turmeric. The three plants have properties and recognized efficiencies as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and strengthening of the defenses . The elderly consume them daily.
6. Be part of a moai .
The people of Okinawa form groups of friends who meet and provide mutual help. They are authentic emotional support groups that offer all kinds of help, including the economic type. They contribute to feeling accepted, useful and safe in the face of adversity. They never feel alone.
7. Enjoy the sun .
Okinawa's weather is sunny and its inhabitants enjoy it. Spending time outdoors synthesize vitamin D that strengthens bones and overall health.
8. Stay active .
The old people of Okinawa are walkers and gardeners. Inside the houses they have little furniture, take food or sit down to relax on tatamis on the floor. Older people sit and get up from the ground dozens of times a day, which contributes to their flexibility and physical strength.
9. Maintain serenity .
The inhabitants of Okinawa have a peculiar character . They remain whole in the face of hardships, always friendly and smiling, enjoy simple pleasures . The elderly are especially nice and their company pleases the younger ones who remain by their side.
Source: http://www.elcorreodelsol.com
9 secrets of the centenarians of Okinawa
