5 foods that the Japanese (the longest living people in the world) eat every day

By Asako Miyashita/ I grew up in Japan, where I was taught from a young age to think of food as medicine.
Japan is home to some of the world's longest-lived people: There are now 90,526 centenarians, or people aged 100 or older.
As a nutritionist who follows a traditional Japanese diet, here are five foods my family and I eat every day to stay healthy and live longer:
1. Japanese sweet potatoes
They are rich in healthy carbohydrates and anthocyanins, a group of antioxidants found in red and purple vegetables that contain anti-aging properties.
Studies have also shown that they can help improve blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. Miso soup
Probiotics, live bacteria or yeast in fermented foods can help balance gut health and boost the immune system.
3. Daikon radish
Root vegetables are popular in Japanese cooking and offer a host of unique health benefits.
Daikon radishes are known to help prevent colds and strengthen the immune system.
4. Alga children
Seaweed is rich in important minerals such as iron, calcium, folate and magnesium.
Eating it every day helps add fiber to my diet. Adequate fiber intake has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
5. Fish
I always include some protein in my daily diet, especially fatty fish like salmon and tuna. The omega-3 fats in fish can help lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides, and ease inflammation.