Comparing The Mediterranean and The Japanese Dietary Pattern in Relation to Longevity - A Narrative Review

Evangelia Damigou; Rena I Kosti; Shauna M Downs; Nenad Naumovski; Demosthenes Panagiotakos

doi:10.2174/0118715303270869240120040514

Comparing The Mediterranean and The Japanese Dietary Pattern in Relation to Longevity - A Narrative Review

Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2024 Jan 29. doi: 10.2174/0118715303270869240120040514. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Evangelia Damigou¹, Rena I Kosti², Shauna M Downs³, Nenad Naumovski^{1

4

5}, Demosthenes Panagiotakos¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
² Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece.
³ Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States.
⁴ Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Locked Bag 1, Canberra, Australia.
⁵ Functional Foods and Nutrition Research (FFNR) Laboratory, Kirinari St., Bruce, Canberra, Australia.

PMID: 38288822
DOI: 10.2174/0118715303270869240120040514

Abstract

Background: The Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) and Japanese dietary pattern (JDP) have received increasing attention from the scientific community and media because of their contribution to longevity and health. Although similarities between the two dietary patterns are evident, a detailed comparison between the MDP and the JDP has yet to be explored.

Aims: This narrative review aimed to explore the similarities and differences between the MDP and JDP regarding longevity while reflecting on the adoption of these diets by other populations outside their regions of origin.

Conclusions: Both dietary patterns are plant-based, minimally processed, and sustainable for their respective regions and have been shown to significantly prolong life expectancy in populations. However, the dietary patterns also differ regarding macronutrient ratios, the specific foods consumed, and the individual cultural characteristics of each population. Additionally, both dietary patterns are part of broader lifestyle patterns, including other behaviors, like abstaining from smoking, engaging in regular physical activity, having low-stress levels, and a sense of community, spirituality/ religiousness, and purpose. Their promotion to other populations should be implemented after considering different perspectives, such as cultural and socioeconomical.

Keywords: Blue Zones; Japanese diet; Mediterranean type diet; dietary patterns; healthy diet; longevity.