Japanese diet linked to lower depression rates in workplace: study
Japanese -style diet including rice, miso soup and fish, the first study of its kind recently showed.
Advertisement
The Japan Institute for Health Security assessed the benefits of a traditional 'Japanese-style diet' comprising soy products, cooked vegetables, mushrooms, fish, seaweed, and green tea, along with a modified version that added fruit, fresh vegetables and dairy products.
While there are few studies on the Japanese diet's impact on mental health, such assessments of the Mediterranean diet – which consists of vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and fish – and depression have previously been conducted, the institute said.
'Further research is required, but we hope the evidence shown among Japanese people can be used for public health measures in workplaces and areas concerning the prevention of depression,' it said in a press release.
Two women wait for an early morning meal at one of the many small seafood restaurants at the Tsukiji fish market. Photo: AFP
The self-reported study was conducted among 12,499 employees from five companies, of whom 88 per cent were male with an average age of 42.5 years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
8 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong exhibition showcases China's growth in aerospace and aviation
'Endless Exploration: The Journey of Chinese Aerospace, Aviation and Navigation' exhibition held... 'Endless Exploration: The Journey of Chinese Aerospace, Aviation and Navigation' exhibition held at the Hong Kong... share
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China trio diagnosed with bacterial infection after eating ‘nutritious' cooked sheep placenta
Three people in China had to be hospitalised after they ate sheep placenta for 'nutritious' purposes, sparking an online discussion about the custom. A woman, surnamed Zhang, in southern China's Guangdong province was reported to have developed frequent fevers and lost 5kg in weight over a short period after she cooked the 'dish'. She went to hospital and was diagnosed with brucellosis, a type of bacterial infection spread from animals to humans. One of the victims suffered serious weight loss and fevers after eating the sheep placenta 'dish'. Photo: Shutterstock Zhang's sister and brother-in-law were diagnosed with the same disease after eating the 'tonic'. The placenta is an organ that forms in the uterus during pregnancy and is considered a highly nutritious ingredient in China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the placenta is known as ziheche. It is believed to strengthen the immune system, treat fatigue, infertility and a lack of energy.
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Mosquito control key to preventing chikungunya in Hong Kong as vaccine not yet approved'
Anti-mosquito measures remain the most effective way to combat chikungunya fever in Hong Kong, health authorities have said, as the vaccine is neither widely used worldwide nor approved locally. Advertisement Dr Wong Hoi-kei, a senior medical and health officer from the Centre for Health Protection, also said on Monday that chikungunya fever was unlikely to become endemic in the city despite a medium to high risk of local transmission. 'The vaccine for chikungunya fever is still relatively new and has not been widely used in any countries,' he told a radio show. 'The World Health Organization and experts are still researching its safety and efficacy … the vaccine is only used on a small scale and very high-risk individuals for now.' The most effective prevention was to avoid bites from mosquitoes and curb their breeding, Wong added. Advertisement He also said that although the risk of imported cases of chikungunya fever was high, it remained 'within expectations' due to the frequency of travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong.
