Japanese diet might help people live longer

Can a particular diet actually help people live longer?

It can, according to a recent study that found the Japanese way of eating, which incorporates a mix of fish, vegetables, meat and grains, is linked with lower mortality rates.

For the study, researchers in Japan tracked the dietary habits of nearly 80,000 mostly healthy Japanese adults between the ages of 45 and 75 for a period of about 15 years.

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They found that the participants who adhered most closely to the dietary guidelines issued by the Japanese government had a 15 percent reduction in their mortality rates.

Specifically, heart-disease-related deaths went down while the correlation with cancer was not as clear.

Nevertheless, the team has concluded that a balanced diet composed of a variety of grains, produce, fish, animal and soy products, and alcoholic beverages "can contribute to longevity by decreasing the risk of death."