The Top 10 Foods Loved by Centenarians

A survey of Japanese people 100 years or older found they commonly eat these 10 foods.

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A survey in Japan found that most centenarians regularly included 10 specific foods in their diets. While most of these foods are well-known superfoods, a few might appear unhealthy based on modern dietary science, which often labels certain ingredients or preparation methods as less than ideal. However, nutritionists tend to agree that the key lies in the proper combination of foods, which can offer the best health benefits.

The Japanese television program “What’s the Difference?” interviewed 300 Japanese centenarians about what they eat most often in their daily meals. The program found that the 10 most commonly eaten foods are:

1. Pork
2. Yogurt
3. Tofu
4. Mackerel
5. Broccoli
6. Chicken
7. Natto (fermented soybeans)
8. Salmon
9. Salted Prunes
10. Tomato

While foods such as natto, salmon, mackerel, chicken, tofu, yogurt, and tomato are very much in line with the “Mediterranean diet” or “Deshu diet” recommended by medical professionals, it is surprising that pork and salted prunes made the list.