Japan is a country famous for the health and longevity of its citizens and boasts people with the longest life expectancy on earth. It is also home to the world’s largest population over 65 (at 28 percent) and some of the world’s lowest rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke. So what lessons can we learn from the Japanese that may help us thrive long into old age?
Part of the answer may lie in one of Japan’s traditional foods—called nattō. Nattō is made from fermented soybeans and has been part of the Japanese diet for hundreds of years. Nattō was traditionally eaten for breakfast—often with rice and a raw egg. It has a strong odor and slimy consistency, making it unappealing to most people outside Japan. Many Japanese believe nattō is a superfood and include it in their diets due to its health benefits, which include lowering blood pressure, improving circulation, and reducing the risks of heart disease and strokes….