Health Benefits of Japanese Food

Renowned for being one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, Japanese food has a wide range of health benefits that contribute to the higher life expectancy in Japan! Japanese food manages to be both healthy and delicious, with a multitude of popular dishes that taste like comfort food, yet provide plenty of health-boosting nutrients. Here are some of the most popular ingredients in Japanese cooking and the wealth of health benefits they offer:

Perhaps the best known of Japan’s culinary offerings is sushi. As an island nation, fish and other seafood act as a staple food in the Japanese diet; featuring in sushi dishes, soups or as grilled fillets. Fish can provide a number of health benefits, many of which come from the omega-3 fatty acids it contains. For one, this fish oil can help to lower blood fat levels, which can help the heart. It is also known to alleviate joint pain and inflammation in people living with rheumatoid arthritis. A positive effect can also be seen on the brain, with omega-3 believed to help protect against dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Green Tea

A common traditional drink in Japan, green tea is growing increasingly popular in the West due to its incredible assortment of health benefits. Many of these benefits come as a result of all of the antioxidants that are packed into each cup of this delicious drink. Antioxidants have numerous perks, including promoting better skin, reducing the risk of cancer and helping to protect the heart. In addition to this, green tea is great for brain function, boosting memory and helping to prevent the onset of degenerative diseases. Another benefit of green tea, and one that has made it particularly popular in the West, is its fat burning abilities. The tea is thought to boost metabolism, helping you to feel fuller and lose weight more easily.

Miso

Made from fermented soybeans, miso is a paste used to add some incredible flavour into soups and broths. With soybeans acting as the main ingredient in the paste, miso is a great source of protein, and also provides an incredible range of nutrients, including B vitamins, magnesium, iron and calcium. As the soybeans are fermented, probiotic bacteria can also be found in miso paste, and this helps the body to better absorb all of these great nutrients. These bacteria also aid digestion and can reduce the symptoms of many digestive issues, as well as helping to strengthen the immune system. However, a great deal of salt is present in miso paste, acting as a preservative, making it an ingredient to avoid if you are watching your salt intake. Despite this, miso is also thought to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and promote a healthy heart and brain.

Another ingredient from the sea, seaweed is an incredible food that provides an impressive amount of health benefits. Also containing decent levels of omega-3 fatty acids, seaweed has similar benefits to fish, while also containing plenty of vitamins and minerals. Seaweed as an ingredient is perhaps best known for containing iodine, which is essential for a healthy thyroid. A great source of vitamin B12, in addition to iron and calcium, seaweed provides a wide range of much-needed nutrients to the body. Like green tea, seaweed also contains a great deal of antioxidants, which help protect against skin damage. High in fibre, seaweed is also great for the gut and can even help you to lose weight.

If you’re looking to try out Japanese food, then we have a wide range of ingredients at our Japanese supermarket online!