10 Reasons Japanese Women Stay Slim and Don’t Look Old Page 3

7. Healthy Cooking Methods

Japanese cuisine not only uses healthy ingredients but also healthy cooking methods.In Japan, raw, simmered and grilled techniques predominate, which help avoid the use of excess oil. These cooking techniques also aid in preserving the taste and nutrients of the ingredients.Deep frying food is rare in Japan. When fried food is served, such as tempura, a few pieces are enjoyed along with other dishes. This way the overall balance of the meal is healthy.

8. Practicing Martial Arts

There are different types of martial arts popular in Japan, and both men and women practice some of the forms.In fact, Japanese martial arts styles of karate, judo, aikido and others play a key role in improving the fitness level and overall health of Japanese women.Most martial arts improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance, help build muscle strength and improve muscle flexibility. They also aid weight loss and slow the aging process.A 2013 pilot study published in Clinical Medical Insights: Women’s Health suggests that martial art exercise improves body composition, favors bone turnover biomarkers (increasing bone formation and decreasing bone resorption) and reduces inflammation in overweight or obese premenopausal women.

9. Hot Spring Baths

A hot spring bath, which is a common practice in Japan, prolongs life.In the local language, a hot spring is known as ‘onsen’. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of them throughout all of its major islands.Hot springs have healing powers and are beneficial for health due to the temperature of the water along with the mineral content, such as magnesium, calcium, silica, and niacin.When you enjoy a bath in a hot spring, your skin soaks in these minerals and your hydrostatic pressure rises. This leads to better blood circulation and oxygen flow throughout the body. Better blood and oxygen circulation is beneficial for your heart as well as other vital organs and tissues.It even aids in reducing stress and promoting better sleep, which in turn benefits your skin’s health.Taking a hot spring bath at least twice a month is one of the reasons why Japanese women look young and stay slim.

10. Healthy Desserts

Desserts are not an integral part of Japanese cuisine. Japanese women eat sweets less often, and this is one secret as to why they stay slim.In Japan, people prefer eating fresh fruit at the end of their meal rather than sugar-laden desserts. Sugar is one of the main culprits behind the rise of obesity in the United States.Also, Japanese sweets have a lot less caramel, refined flours and all of those other frightfully fattening ingredients commonly used in the U.S. Sweets are made from healthy ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, buckwheat flour and fresh fruits.

Even when Western-style sweet desserts are served, portion sizes are considerably smaller. Previous Page