Introduction: The Mediterranean diet and the Japanese diet, listed as the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, are healthy diets consumed worldwide. This research compares the two diets, finds the differences and similarities, and thinks about healthy diets with regard to anti-aging.
Methodology: This research follows the Cochrane guidelines and uses Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The keywords used in this systematic review include Mediterranean diet, Japanese diet, and anti-aging with the PubMed search engine.
Results: Mediterranean countries including Italy and Greece have one-third the mortality ratio with cardiovascular diseases compared to America and North European countries. Since diets are deeply associated with this outcome, the Mediterranean diet is regarded as healthy. A typical Western diet is high in fat, sugar, and calories, causing chronic inflammation-related diseases including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, which shorten the life span. However, Mediterranean and Japanese diets are usually low in these, with the mass consumption of vegetables, beans, and fish, and the daily consumption of cereals. Differences include a greater consumption of polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil, dairy products, and a lower amount of meat consumption in the Mediterranean diet, and less use of oil, the abundant consumption of fermented foods, and the consumption of seaweeds in the Japanese diet. In addition, Sirtuin genes activated by these diets are associated with anti-aging. Since Japan has the longest lifespan in the world, people are familiar with the idea of “Me-Byo”, finding non-disease conditions and curing them before they manifest.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the Mediterranean-style Japanese diet, a well-balanced diet, reduces the risk of a variety of diseases by preventing chronic inflammation. This dietary method prevents the manifestation of “Me-Byo” and has anti-aging properties, and it might contribute to healthy and long lives not only for Japanese people but also for people around the world.
