Tags : Health and Well-being

From manga to manger: gyoza take France by storm

What leaps to mind when you think of France? Fine wine and perfume? Paris’s iconic fashion houses? Or maybe those endless varieties of cheese? Chances are, comic books are not high on your list. And yet the country of Voltaire and Proust has a voracious appetite for bandes déssinées —“BD” for short—as comics are called, with over 30% of French people reading comics “regularly.” They also have a passion for Japanese comics, or manga.

An up-and-coming “umami ambassador” gets inspiration from a seasoned pro

On a beautiful day, you might like to venture out to enjoy a picnic on a bench or in a park. Unfortunately, due to the global pandemic, it’s probably been a while since you did. But when things return to normal, hopefully soon, why not try orizume, a special kind of bento lunch box packed with a myriad of delicacies? Though a bit time-consuming to prepare, this delicious, healthy, attractive, and well-balanced meal is perfect if you’re tired of standard fare like sandwiches, salad and hard-boiled eggs.

“Eat Deliciously!”—the magic words that launched over a century of food innovation

What do katsu curry and a sushi burrito have in common? Both are packed with umami, of course. And both are examples of fusion cuisine, a growing global food trend that has come to define how we eat in the 21st century, from Los Angles to London to Tokyo.

Eating to prevent cognitive decline: What you probably don’t know about protein intake

In Japan, with its aging population, the number of individuals living with dementia is increasing every year. In 2012, according to data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, that number stood at approximately 4.6 million. By 2040, it is estimated to more than double to 9.5 million, and by 2060 it will reach roughly 11.5 million.

Eating for two—new online resource helps pregnant and nursing mothers in Vietnam plan nutritious meals

Parents know all too well the stresses of pregnancy and childrearing. Added economic pressures and less time for sleeping and eating exact a mental and physical toll, and women at this life stage have special dietary requirements. What’s more, taste preferences can change during pregnancy, making it that much harder to plan nutritionally balanced menus. The stakes are high—too little or even too much nutrition can have long-term effects on maternal health, fetal development, and the growth of newborns.

Thriving on plant-based protein: solutions for a sustainable future

We all want to do what’s best for our health and the planet. We’re exercising more, eating nutrition-balanced meals, and reducing our environmental footprint. With global warming and sustainability in the headlines, many people are looking to plant-forward eating to make a positive impact.

Meet yakumi, the supporting actors that make washoku shine

If you follow global food trends you probably know that washoku means traditional Japanese cuisine. Recognized by UNESCO in 2013 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, washoku is admired worldwide for its spirit of respect for nature and skillful use of seasonal ingredients, ranging from seafood and vegetables to edible wild plants. For extra flavor it relies heavily on umami, that savory fifth taste present in foods as diverse as shiitake mushrooms and parmesan cheese.

Tokyo N4G Summit brings world together to tackle global nutrition challenges

Every four years, the world’s best athletes gather in a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play to compete on the track, field, pitch, court, or in the pool. The Summer Olympics and Paralympics are a symbol of health, strength, and the fulfillment of human potential. Imagine what could be achieved if the same spirit of goodwill were harnessed to tackle global health and nutrition challenges?

A local approach to improving nutrition in Japan targets vegetable consumption

“Eat your vegetables, they’re good for you.” This age-old advice is borne out by modern scientific evidence: a balanced diet that includes enough vegetables—a valuable source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—is linked to reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers.

From Japanese dinner tables to the Athletes’ Village in Tokyo—Ajinomoto frozen gyozas turn 50 but aren’t slowing down

Simply put, a gyoza is a savory Japanese dumpling consisting of a thin flour wrapper and juicy filling of minced pork and chopped cabbage flavored with soy sauce, garlic and ginger.

Nutrition Without Compromise: Giving people delicious, personalized choices could be key to longer, healthier lives

People often say life is full of compromises. As consumers, all of us learn to balance what we want with what we need and can afford. That’s true too when it comes to eating.

Indigo Marine Collagen makes it easy being green and blue

Nowadays, we often hear people talk about being green, that is, living sustainably. But how about being blue?

Nurturing future champions—a sports nutrition awareness project targets student athletes in Malaysia

Every parent of a teenager knows how hard it is to get young people to eat well, what with schoolwork, ...

Eating for a healthy immune system

Summer and winter, we are exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations as we move between heated or air-conditioned environments and the ...

Sports and nutrition in the age of COVID: new website chronicles Indonesian swim champion’s winning journey

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies worldwide to close offices. Many of us have experienced first-hand the challenge of working ...

From fan to brand ambassador: teenage skating sensation Alexandra Trusova uses aminoVITAL® to stay in peak condition

Russian athletes are making their presence felt around the world, from the tennis court to the swimming pool, the track ...

Nurturing young minds and bodies: school lunch in Indonesia

School lunches may make you think of less than appetizing fare. But times are changing. Today schools may offer enticing ...

Karaage— a new allergy-conscious take on a classic recipe

Parents today may notice a greater awareness around food allergies compared to when they were young. Even if your own ...

Nurturing tomorrow’s champions: vaulting to new heights

What makes a champion? Many sports fans might say raw talent plays the biggest role in creating heroes on the ...

Spilling the beans on umami—a traditional Nigerian seasoning gets a commercial makeover

Umami Hunter in Nigeria (short ver.) Beans are a staple of many cuisines worldwide. This humble legume is also one ...

We Can Make It—Peruvian video proclaims solidarity in crisis

Peru locked down early in response to the COVID pandemic. President Martín Vizcarra declared a national state of emergency on ...

Making daily homemade meals special: just add a little umami

Meals out can give the family cook a welcome break. At times when the family can’t visit that favorite restaurant, ...

How to eat for success: program for athletes benefits everyone

“I won’t be able to jump if I put on weight.” For years, this false belief caused one top female ...

Eating habits start young: getting kids out of the classroom, onto the farm and into the kitchen

You probably remember hearing your parents say at the dinner table, “Eat your broccoli, it’s good for you!” Parents in ...

Japan’s daily cuppa: forest management fuels coffee industry

Worldwide, Japanese green tea is more popular than ever as a beverage and food flavoring. But while Japan might seem ...

Stirring the emotions with umami: the rise of a young Korean-American chef

Reading Time: 3minutes There is a taste from home that Nick Lee will always remember – one that connects his ...

Savoring plant-based foods: umami served at FNCE 2019

Reading Time: 2minutes By now we’ve all heard that eating more plants is better for our health. Recently, a succession ...

Food for thought: learning to live with a rare disease called PKU

A few days after bringing their newborn son home, David and Lynn Paolella received a call from the hospital. Initial ...

The taste of history in the USA: stirring umami into the melting pot

As a teen, Sarah Lohman cooked early American recipes over a wood-burning stove. Her mother suggested the part-time job in ...

Confronting the “silent killer” with a little umami: how to achieve salt reduction

Whenever you visit your doctor, you are certain to have your blood pressure checked. The reason is simple: high blood ...

Taste you can hear: teaching children lifelong healthy eating

Everyday we’re bombarded with sounds: car horns, crosswalk signals, emergency vehicle sirens—not to mention people talking on their phones and ...

An ounce of prevention: disease screenings for better health

Most people are aware that smoking, drinking, and not eating right can lead to health problems. Cancer is one of ...

A Japanese-style school lunch program tackles childhood nutrition in Vietnam

Nearly half a century on from the end of the Vietnam War, life for ordinary Vietnamese has arguably never been ...

Get the rest you deserve: glycine can help you enjoy deeper, healthier sleep

Some people wake up feeling refreshed and energetic. Others still feel tired after many hours of sleep. Why is that? ...

Never too late to improve QOL: fighting muscle loss

Japan’s average life expectancy at birth is 83.7 years—the highest in the world! The main reasons are thought to be ...

Amino acids can be a beautiful barrier that builds confidence

Whether it’s just a simple smile, a wave, a handshake, or a kiss, healthy skin helps people feel positive about ...

Enjoying longevity: umami helps seniors eat better

Food is one of life’s great pleasures. For millennia, young and old, families and friends, have gathered around communal tables ...

Happier cows and people: how AjiPro®-L boosts milk production

Cow’s milk. We pour it over our morning bowl of cereal. We add it to our tea or coffee. It ...

Starting over: reprogramming cells in regenerative medicine

Dr. Shinya Yamanaka began his career as an orthopedic surgeon but realized that even talented surgeons could not cure intractable ...