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In addition to a special diet, a philosophy of life is maintained

In the village of Ogimi, located in the northern countryside of Okinawa’s main island, a small stele was erected with some inscriptions in Japanese that read: “At 80, you are merely a young man. At 90, if your ancestors invited to heaven ask them to wait until they are 100 – then you can consider this.”

That’s not pompous. But according to the latest statistics, 15 of Ogimi’s 3,000 villagers are centenarians. 171 people are in their 90s. Currently, Japan has more than 70,000 people aged 100 and over.

Before Covid-19 appeared, tourists gradually became interested in the village. Masataka Nozato at the Ogimi village office said that the place is far from the tourist path but has started to see a slight increase in visitors because they are curious about the longevity of the people.

The secret of a hundred-year-old life of the world's longest living village in Japan: In addition to a special diet, a philosophy of life is maintained - Photo 1.

One of the centenarians living in the “longevity village” of Ogimi, 100-year-old Haru Miyagi, is a widow whose husband died in World War II and has a son who works in Tokyo

Why do people in Ogimi live a long life?

According to statistics of Blue Zones – founded by the author and adventurer of National GeographicDan Buettner, this is one of the 5 places considered to have the highest percentage of people living a long and happy life in the world.

Buettner said: “Everywhere where people live longer in the world, they’ve been going through tough times like wars, famines, and stresses like we’re facing now (Covid-19) so they can now be able to. give us advice.”

What advice can the Okinawans give us? Why do Ogimi and other parts of the island have such a long history? This comes down to a number of key factors: Diet, social practices and genetics, says Craig Willcox, professor of public health and gerontology at Okinawa International University and co-lead author of the study. Okinawa Centenarian on life expectancy of Okinawans since 1975.

“About two-thirds of life expectancy is related to diet and lifestyle, the rest is genetic. We haven’t looked at whether Okinawa has a genetic advantage over other parts of Japan, but life expectancy. in the genetics of the families here,” said Willcox.

The secret of a hundred-year-old life of the world's longest-living village in Japan: In addition to a special diet, a philosophy of life is maintained - Photo 2.

Misako Miyagi, 88, is “merely a young man,” according to a saying in Ogimi, which is crowded with centenarians.

Using food as medicine

In addition to genetics, diet is one of the ways of living a long life of local people. If you go to a typical restaurant in Okinawa, the menu will be pork and spirits. However, this is not the eating habit of the people on the island.

“The Okinawan diet provides more than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day combined with heart-healthy fish instead of meat,” says Willcox.

“There is a phrase in the Okinawan language, nuchi gusui which translates to “let food be your medicine”. Sweet potatoes, bitter melon, and sea foods rich in carotenoids such as seaweed, green leafy vegetables and fruits in the diet have anti-aging, inflammatory and antioxidant effects,” he explains.

The secret of a hundred-year-old life of the world's longest-living village in Japan: In addition to a special diet, a philosophy of life is maintained - Photo 3.

Some believe that Chouju-zen, or “longevity food,” is rich in nutrients but low in calories, contributing to the long life of Okinawans.

The professor also said that the traditional Okinawan diet is rich in nutrients but low in calories. Before 1960, the staple food here was sweet potatoes, not white rice.

This diet is ideal, says Willcox: “In one experiment, if you restrict the calories in a mammal’s diet, they live a lot longer. A prolonged energy deficit will lead to a long-term energy deficit. By activating self-sustaining mode, you adapt to have a higher rate of conversion of food to usable energy and activate enzymes that promote longevity.”

Connected community

Life on the island is different from most other places in Japan, the climate is subtropical with mild winters. The Okinawans living amidst the beauty of the island are known for being peaceful.

The community has arrangements in place that help older residents keep a good purpose ikigai (philosophy of life means “reason for existence”).

Bringing the many people in Ogimi a ikigai is the local basho-fu weaving. Cleaning cloth and spools is not only a way to maintain social activities but also increase income and contribute to the village’s economy.

The secret to living a hundred years old of the world's longest living village in Japan: In addition to a special diet, a philosophy of life is maintained - Photo 4.

Ogimi people participate in Ungami . festival

Not only that, mutual support in society is also shown through moai. This Okinawan social mechanism brings together groups of people with similar interests, allowing them to develop emotional connections. Author Buettner says that this factor is important for you to live a long life because “loneliness is as bad as smoking”.

Mr. Takashi Inafuku, Ogimi resident, belongs to 2 moaione with a group of classmates and the other with a former colleague, said: “Moai where you can exchange information and communicate with others. I think join moaishared interests and stress relief, can help increase life expectancy.”

Willcox added that by memorizing moai is common: “I know an Ogimi man in 7 moai. People are loyal to moai their. I met a group of 80-year-old women on a remote island, they’ve been together since elementary school.”

According to National Georaphic

https://cafef.vn/bi-quyet-song-lau-tram-tuoi-cua-ngoi-lang-truong-tho-nhat-the-gioi-o-nhat-ban-ngoai-che-do-an- dac-biet-la-mot-mot-triet-ly-song-duoc-duy-tri-20220514164602988.chn


According to Dinh Anh

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