What Good Habits Can We Learn From the top 4 Countries With Rapid Life Expectancy Growth?

Let’s face it, we all want to live a long and healthy life and see how our children, grandchildren, and maybe even great-grandchildren grow up. The good news – the average life expectancy is increasing worldwide. If we compare how long our great-grandparents lived, we can see that we live significantly longer. Therefore, in this article, we will present 4 countries that will be the first in the future when it comes to longevity. We will also present the reasons why the people of these countries live so long. We all can learn something from these people, so let’s see what their good habits to increase life expectancy are!

South Korea And Their Kimchi

By the 2030s, the life expectancy of South Korean women could exceed 90 years. South Korea is not just the first country in the world where women can start living on average beyond 90 years: it may also see the biggest jump in longevity, according to scientific articles.

According to scientists, girls born in South Korea after 13 years from now can expect to live till 91 years old and more. However, South Korean men are going to live just 84 years on average because they are usually more likely to drink and smoke. Based on demographic statistics, in the mid-1980s, South Korean women had an average life expectancy of 75 years, while men’s average lifespan did not exceed 65.

What is the secret and elixir of long and beautiful South Korean life? The answer is fermented vegetables and time investment in their medical healthcare. The most popular fermented vegetable dish is kimchi. Real Korean kimchi is made from Beijing cabbage. The fermentation method not only gives a wonderful taste, but these fermented cabbages absorb free radicals in our body, lower the level of cholesterol, and can also protect against any age-related diseases. The product is really good for digestion and a healthy gut because it is rich in beneficial bacteria and vitamins A and B.

Also, it should be mentioned that Koreans in their 40s start to visit their doctors more frequently and regularly. They invest a lot of time in their healthcare.

Why not find out more about the health benefits of kimchi and also how to make it so you can add it to your diet as one of your new habits to aid a long and healthy life.

Spain: Quality Food, Good Weather, And Siesta

According to scientific research, a Spanish girl born today will likely live longer than 85 years, and by 2030 that the age of women rises to 88.1 years.  Based on world demographic statistics, today, Spanish women live an average of 86 years, and men – 82 years.

The secret to the long Spanish lifespan is nutrition. A Mediterranean diet has long contributed to the well-being of Spain’s long-lived population. What is special about the Mediterranean diet? The Mediterranean diet is based on fresh traditional foods, such as olive oil, seafood, and vegetables, and the nutritional principles of Mediterranean countries. Various studies show that people from these countries can enjoy better health than, for instance, Americans.

The inhabitants of most Mediterranean countries, including Spain, have less rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, or diabetes. There is no one right way to follow the Mediterranean diet. Many countries around the Mediterranean Sea and people in those countries consume different products and have specific dietary habits. However, some principles are specific to all Mediterranean countries, such as eating more fresh fish, seafood, and vegetables. This food is rich in natural antioxidants that destroy free radicals that can cause serious diseases and, at the same time, the ageing process slows down. As well as plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, one of the most important aspects of a Mediterranean diet is to cook food fresh and avoid heavily processed foods.

Good weather and lifestyle also have an influence. Sunshine is important for Vitamin D, and Spain has another secret to longevity – the siesta! At that time of day, the Spanish are in no hurry, they have a slow lunch, and they spend more time on their hobbies and other activities.

Quality food, good weather, and enjoyment of life help the Spanish to live longer. Well, we can’t control the weather, but we can control what we eat and also ensure we get a good work-life balance, so two more good habits to add to the list of options to increase our life expectancy.

France: Quality Food, Sex, Walking

Today, based on world demographic statistics, French women live an average of 85 years, and men – 79 years. Scientists say that French women born in the year 2030 will live to 88.6 years — and men will live to 81 years. What are the main reasons for such an improvement in average longevity?

First of all, the majority of French people eat only healthy food. In 2005, vending machines were banned in schools, and in 2012, taxes were imposed on sugar-sweetened beverages. The French themselves eat in small portions and mostly eat at lunch, they also eat in small bites and chew slowly. Ah – now that’s a good habit!

Secondly, they know that sex affects health and mood. Sex raises blood pressure and heart pulse, so it improves the blood circulation system and delivery of oxygen to body cells. More than 90 per cent of the French remain sexually active even if they are in their 50s.

And thirdly, the French love to walk. Walking the dog, going to the store, or climbing the stairs is a pleasure for them. Walking improves muscle tone and blood circulation and it is good for joints.

We might not have as much sun as they do in Spain or France, but we do have beautiful countryside, so add regular walks to those good habits to increase life expectancy. And perhaps regular sex as you get older, too..!

Japan: Wisdom of Healthy Lifestyle

Today, Japan is the top country in the overall longevity statistics chart worldwide. The number of people aged 100 and over exceeded 70 thousand here. The average life expectancy for women in Japan is 87.3 years, and for men – 81.2 years. According to one scientific article, by 2030, one in every three people will be 65+ years and one in five people 75+ years.

Why do the Japanese live so long? They ate more than one kilogram of vegetables, fruits, and legumes per day. These vegetables contain polyphenols and flavonoids, which are strong antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. They also recommend practising hara hachi bu, which is a Japanese term meaning eat until you are 80% full. Apart from not eating enough vegetables, the majority of people in the UK eat until they are absolutely full. Perhaps that is a bad habit we need to change.

And another important aspect is that the Japanese highly value communication and support in the family. Longevity expert Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara recommends spending more time with your loved ones.

Moreover, the Japanese take great care of their health. The Japanese were the first who discovered pluripotent stem cells and also introduced precision medicine into their medical healthcare system. Scientists are also interested in anti-ageing supplements such as NMN and resveratrol.

We hope you have enjoyed finding out what helps people in other countries reach a ripe old age, and that you adopt some of these good habits to increase life expectancy.