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The Mediterranean vs the Japanese diet

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, page 1323 (2004)Cite this article

Both the Mediterranean and Japanese diets are known to be healthy (Tokudome et al, 2000; Trichopoulou & Vasilopoulou, 2000; Ferro-Luzzi et al, 2002; Serra-Majem et al, 2003). People of the Mediterranean countries enjoy a low risk of cardiovascular disease, while Japanese are famous for their longevity/healthy life expectancy (UN, 1998). However, there are both similarities and discrepancies in intake of foods and beverages between the two cases. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by high consumption of cereals (wheat), vegetables and fruit, fish and olive oil (Trichopoulou & Vasilopoulou, 2000; Ferro-Luzzi et al, 2002; Serra-Majem et al, 2003). Japanese also consume large amounts of cereals (rice), vegetables and fruit, and fish, but there is much lower intake of energy and oils/fats (Tokudome et al, 2000; Health Promotion and Nutrition Division, 2003).

In a recent issue of EJCN, Dr Serra-Majem et al (2003) reported an interesting ecological finding that typical Mediterranean individuals consume high amounts of total lipids (approximately 100 g/day in males and 80 g in females) and also polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in males, and lipids (more than 40% energy) and PUFAs in both genders along with high concentrations and proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), largely from olive oil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan

    S Tokudome, K Kuriki, S Suzuki, J Jiang, J Wang & E Takeda

  2. Department of Preventive Nutraceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan

    Y Ichikawa, H Okuyama & E Takeda

  3. Nagoya Bunri University, Inazawa, Japan

    Y Tokudome & C Goto

  4. Medical Welfare Center Kouseiin, Meito-ku, Nagoya, Japan

    N Imaeda

  5. Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Aichi Cancer Center, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan

    K Kuriki

  6. Kasugai City Medical Care Center, Kasugai, Japan

    K Shibata

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  1. S Tokudome
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  2. Y Ichikawa
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  3. H Okuyama
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  10. J Jiang
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  11. J Wang
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  12. E Takeda
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Tokudome, S., Ichikawa, Y., Okuyama, H. et al. The Mediterranean vs the Japanese diet. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1323 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601970

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