In one of the least surprising studies in Geezer’s increasingly short memory, researchers have determined that Japan’s traditional fish-based, low-fat diet is much healthier than the average American menu and contributes to a longer life. The Washington Post reports that researchers at Japan’s respected Tohoku University created two menus comprising 21 typical foods from the United States and Japan. The scientists freeze dried the food and mixed it into powder, then fed it to eight mice for a period of three weeks. The
American menu included hamburgers and fried chicken, while the Japanese
menu included sashimi, or raw fish, and rice porridge. According to the Post, the study
found that several genes that work to break down cholesterol and fat
were 1.5 times more active in the mice which received the Japanese menu
as opposed to those fed with American food, and that the level of cholesterol was 10 percent higher in the American-food fed mice.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Saturday, May 31, 2025
It’s not just the FOODS we eat but also the beverages we drink that that destroy the health of our diet as compared with the Japanese. We drink milkshakes for breakfast (Starbucks ventemegafrappalattes). They drink green tea! Here in L.A., if inspired, I could get a superjumbogulp soda with enough sugar and caffeine to lauch a rocket on almost any block. Though I’ve never traveled to Japan, I doubt Tokyo has a Circle K equivalent on every corner that sells soda by the gallon!