Japanese food linked to mental wellbeing

Japanese food has a reputation globally for promoting longevity and heart health, but a new large-scale study mentioned in the Japan Times has found that it might also be playing a role in supporting mental wellbeing.

The study was conducted among 12,500 workers at five major Japanese companies, and it found that people who frequently ate a traditional Japanese diet were 17 to 20 percent less likely to show signs of depression compared to those who didn't eat it frequently.

Over my years here I've often gravitated towards comfort foods from home, but this research makes a strong case for embracing local food culture more deeply. Nutrients in things like soy products, leafy greens, and seafood (especially folate and antioxidants) are believed to support brain health and could help regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Even the umami flavor in Japanese food is thought to calm the nervous system.

I think it's really important to acknowledge that mental health is multi-faceted, and food alone isn't going to be a cure-all. In saying that, incorporating more Japanese-style meals into your week might be a small way to care for both body and mind.

What ratio of Japanese food do you eat compared to Western food? I'd say mine is about 60-40 in favor of Western food, but this research has been good incentive to shake it up a bit.