Japan's high life expectancy linked to diet, study finds

The high life expectancy enjoyed in Japan is largely due to the nation's healthy diet, according to a new study. The population of the island nation, which has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world, eat diets high in certain carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits as well as fish and meat. Such foods make for a diet low in saturated fats, processed foods and high in carbohydrates gained from both rice and vegetables. 

The Japanese government outlined a recommended food guide for the nation in 2005. Around a decade later, researchers at the National Centre for Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo investigated how following the food guide affected the country’s mortality rate. The team analysed food and lifestyle questionnaires completed by 36,624 men and 42,920 women aged between 45 and 75, who had no history of cancer, stroke, heart or chronic liver diseases. The participants were tracked for 15 years. Researchers found that participants who closely followed the food guide had a 15 per cent lower mortality rate. Such participants were less likely to have cerebrovascular vascular disease: a term used to describe conditions caused by problem with blood supply to the brain. 

The study concluded: “Our findings suggest that balanced consumption of energy, grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, eggs, soy products, dairy products, confectionaries, and alcoholic beverages can contribute to longevity by decreasing the risk of death, predominantly from cardiovascular disease, in the Japanese population.” 

James DiNicolantonio, a cardiovascular research scientist at St. Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute who was not involved in the study,said : “We can learn a lot about how to be healthy from the Japanese, and it really comes down to ‘eat real food’ and ‘exercise.” He added that the combination of high quality foods low in saturated fats was particularly important. 

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. Most Japanese people follow a vegetarian diet.

b. The people who followed thr food guide suffered less brain disease.

c. Those involved in the study had to answer some questions about their eating habits.

d. If you want to stay healthy, you shouldn’t drink any alcohol.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. What has the Japanese government done to keep the mortality rate low?

b. What kind of things can you consume to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. treat (par.1)                   b. word  (par.2)                               c. lasting a long time (par.2)

d. sweets (par.3)               e. reduce (par.3)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a “We can learn a lot about how to be healthy from the Japanese, and it really comes down to ‘eat real food’ and ‘exercise.”

James Dinicolantonio said that ………………………………

b. Your risk of death is higher if your consumption of alcohol is not balanced.

If your consumption ……………………………………….         

c. Japanese people enjoy a high life expectancy due to their healthy diet.

Japanese people enjoy a high life expectancy because …………………..

           

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

                Is it possible to have a healthy life in modern world?