Whitefish is one of the healthiest superfoods on the planet, but is it a secret to longevity? To understand why we think it can contribute to healthy longevity, let's take a look at one of the most widely studied blue zones in the world: Okinawa, Japan.

How Okinawan People Live So Long

Okinawa, Japan, is home to one of the longest-living populations in the world. It also has a percentage of centenarians (people who live past their hundredth birthday) three times higher than the US does. Surprisingly fit for their age, the people of Okinawa work well into their 90s and maintain their cognitive abilities. They're not just living longer; they're also living healthier.

Scientists believe that the prime contributor to this long life span of the Okinawan population is their diet. The people of Okinawa mostly eat plant-based whole foods rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber. This protects them from the health risks of insulin resistance. They also avoid animal products, which explains their low instance of heart disease. However, there is one source of meat that's part of the Okinawan diet: whitefish.

The Role of Whitefish in the Okinawan Diet

For some people, eating animal protein like eggs and red meat, which  contain high levels of cholesterol and saturated fats, can lead to heart disease. This high concentration has been found to damage arteries and limit blood flow to the heart. However, our bodies need protein to make amino acids and repair our cells. Other essential nutrients such as folate are also rare in plant-based foods.

The people of Okinawa eat wild-caught whitefish to fulfill their protein, folate, omega-3, and vitamin D needs. Whitefish like cobia is one of the few animal-based foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fats. At the same time, the omega-3 in whitefish actively promotes heart health. 

This may be one of the key reasons why the people of Okinawa live longer than both vegetarian and carnivorous populations. Whitefish may be the secret to their longevity.

At Open Blue, we offer nutrition-dense cobia whitefish delivered to your home. We have offshore open-ocean aquaculture farms, where our whitefish grow in an open environment and eat a natural diet, like plankton. 

Want open-ocean whitefish delivered to your home? Browse our store now.